Oral surgeries aren’t fun for anyone, but at our Pembroke Pines dental practice, they don’t have to be stress-inducing or traumatic. In fact, we do everything in our power to make sure you are comfortable while we put our experience and skill to work for you. Whether you need your wisdom teeth extracted, your crowns lengthened to correct a gummy smile, or a facial bone correction oral surgery is in order, we have you covered. Learn more about our oral surgery services below.
Oral Surgery We Perform
Gonzalez Dental Care is the top clinic for oral surgery in Pembroke Pines and beyond because our team exercises kindness, skill, and care with every exam. Our oral surgery options that Dr. Gonzalez provides include:
- Palate and facial bone correction
- Tooth extraction
- Crown-lengthening surgery to augment “gummy smiles”
- Wisdom teeth removal
- Ad-hoc oral surgeries based on unique needs of patients
What is Oral Surgery?
Oral surgery is the term that is commonly used to describe procedures that repair, remove, or alter the teeth, gums, bone, or jaw.
What Kind of Conditions Require Oral Surgery?
There are several conditions that may be treated with oral surgery. When a patient would benefit from a surgical procedure, we take our time explaining why they need oral surgery, how the procedure will work, and the benefit that can be gained through the recommended course of care.
Common oral surgeries include the following:
- Removal of Impacted Wisdom Teeth Wisdom teeth grow in sometime during adolescence. When they do, they can become partially or completely trapped. This is referred to as impaction. Impacted wisdom teeth must be removed to prevent infection, unnecessary pain, and misalignment. Using a conservative oral surgery technique, the dentist can access the impacted tooth through the gums, remove it, and close the area with stitches.
- Dental Implant Treatment / Bone Grafting Dental implants are a premier treatment for tooth loss. The process leads to unparalleled structural integrity for replacement teeth. However, for dental implants to be successful in the long-term, the patient must have sufficient bone height and density. In some situations, extensive periodontal disease or infection has diminished bone structure. Patients who wish to replace dentures with dental implants have sometimes experienced an extensive amount of bone resorption. Historically, a lack of adequate bone tissue would exclude a patient as a dental implant candidate. Not anymore. Patients who want to restore their smiles with dental implants but have insufficient bone structure can still be good candidates for treatment. To improve treatment outcomes, we begin the restorative process with bone grafting. This oral surgery procedure harvests bone from another area or source and inserts the material where the implant will eventually sit.
- Reconstructive and Jaw Surgery Surgical procedures to correct conditions affecting the palate or facial bones may be necessary to support speech and chewing. Many of the reconstructive procedures that are performed improve not only function but also appearance.
Is Oral Surgery Painful?
We are committed to patient-centered care, and comfort is a critical aspect of this. Oral surgery procedures are performed with an abundance of caution and gentleness. Prior to commencing with treatment, the dentist confirms that the local anesthetic is in full effect and that no pain will be felt by the patient. The use of oral conscious sedation is not a requirement and is something patients tend to choose to mitigate the stress they may feel around their procedure. However, studies suggest that the inclusion of sedation in dental treatments can enhance the effects of the local anesthetic, making treatment that much more comfortable.
It is common for soreness or tenderness to develop after oral surgery. Your post-operative instructions will discuss how you can manage comfort using appropriate medication and other remedies.
How Long Does an Oral Surgery Last?
Oral surgery procedures can take from about 30 minutes to about 90 minutes. During your consultation, we will discuss your detailed treatment plan, how you should prepare for your procedure, and how long you can expect to be in the office.
Will I Be Able to Drive Myself Home After Oral Surgery?
You may want to arrange to have a loved one accompany you to your oral surgery appointment. Many people who undergo a surgical procedure to address a dental or facial condition receive oral conscious sedation. While oral conscious sedation, as the name implies, does not put you to sleep in the way that general anesthesia does, the effects of the sedative can linger for hours after your procedure is done. You should not drive until these effects have worn off completely.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Oral Surgery?
Every oral surgery requires a period of recovery. The timeline can vary for each patient depending on the extensiveness of their procedure. Generally, the bulk of the healing that occurs after oral surgery happens in two to three weeks.
For about 24 hours after surgery, you should rest and avoid much physical activity. During this initial period, you may be managing post-operative side effects like swelling, discomfort, and bleeding. Your post-op instructions should discuss how you can address each of these conditions. These instructions will also outline how to brush and floss comfortably without disrupting the surgical area.
Two to three days after oral surgery, dissolvable stitches may begin to deteriorate. Bleeding and swelling are usually well under control by this time, and most normal activities can resume. Swelling can take up to two weeks to resolve completely.
When recovering from oral surgery, it may be helpful to eat soft foods and avoid consuming foods and beverages that are very hot or very cold. A list of suggested foods may be discussed or provided with your post-operative instructions.
If you have questions during your oral surgery recovery, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Will Dental Insurance Cover Oral Surgery?
Your oral surgery treatment or some part of it may be covered by dental insurance. The amount of coverage that is provided may depends on your plan and the type of surgery you need. We recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to receive detailed information as it pertains to your plan and your clinical case.
Schedule Your Consultation in Pembroke Pines, FL
If you’re interested in learning more about oral surgery please contact us for a consultation at (954) 432-4800 or fill out our contact us form. We will discuss your needs and concerns, and determine your best course of action.
