Oral Surgery – Dental Q&A
Common questions about oral surgery procedures performed at The Smile Method.
What is oral surgery?
Oral surgery refers to any surgical procedure performed in or around the mouth and jaw. In a dental practice setting, oral surgery encompasses tooth extractions (including impacted wisdom teeth), dental implant placement, bone grafting, surgical treatment of jaw cysts, biopsies of suspicious oral tissue, and corrective jaw procedures. General dentists with advanced training perform many oral surgery procedures; cases requiring general anesthesia or involving complex jaw reconstruction may be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
What oral surgery procedures are performed at a general dental office?
Many dental practices in Columbus and Gahanna, including The Smile Method, perform oral surgery procedures in-office that include simple and surgical tooth extractions, impacted wisdom tooth removal, dental implant placement, bone grafting and socket preservation, crown lengthening, and soft tissue biopsies. Having these services available in one location saves patients time and reduces the inconvenience of specialist referrals. Complex cases involving jaw reconstruction, pathology, or IV sedation may still require referral to a dedicated oral surgery center.
How do I prepare for oral surgery?
Preparation for oral surgery depends on the type of procedure and anesthesia used. For procedures under local anesthesia only, no fasting is typically required. If you are receiving IV sedation or general anesthesia, you must fast for at least six to eight hours before surgery — no food or liquid. Arrange for someone to drive you home if any form of sedation is involved. Wear loose, comfortable clothing; avoid jewelry and contact lenses if sedated. Inform your dentist of all medications, supplements, and health conditions, as some may need to be temporarily adjusted.
What sedation options are available for oral surgery?
The main sedation options for oral surgery are local anesthesia alone (numb but awake), nitrous oxide (laughing gas) combined with local anesthesia for mild relaxation, oral conscious sedation (a prescription pill taken before the appointment that produces a relaxed, drowsy state), and IV sedation (moderate sedation administered intravenously that produces a deeply relaxed state with limited memory of the procedure). Most oral surgery at The Smile Method in Gahanna is performed with local anesthesia plus nitrous oxide or oral sedation, depending on patient preference and case complexity.
What is crown lengthening surgery?
Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that removes gum tissue and sometimes a small amount of bone to expose more of the tooth's surface. It is performed in two contexts: functional crown lengthening, which creates enough tooth structure above the gum line to place a crown or filling on a tooth broken down at or below the gum; and esthetic crown lengthening, which reduces a gummy smile by revealing more of the natural teeth. The procedure takes one to two hours and is performed under local anesthesia, with recovery taking about one to two weeks.
What is a dental abscess and does it require oral surgery?
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection inside a tooth, in the gum, or in the jawbone. Most dental abscesses are treated with a root canal to remove the infected pulp, combined with antibiotics, rather than surgery. Oral surgery becomes necessary when the infection has spread to form a large soft-tissue swelling that needs to be drained, when the infected tooth cannot be saved and must be extracted, or when the abscess has created a cyst in the jawbone requiring surgical removal. A dental abscess that is rapidly enlarging or causes difficulty breathing should be treated as a dental emergency in Columbus or Gahanna.
How long does it take to recover from oral surgery?
Recovery from oral surgery varies significantly by procedure. A simple extraction: two to five days. Wisdom tooth removal (surgical): seven to fourteen days. Bone grafting: one to two weeks for soft tissue, three to six months for full bone maturity. Dental implant placement: three to seven days for acute soreness, three to six months for osseointegration. Crown lengthening: one to two weeks. Most patients at The Smile Method in Columbus and Gahanna are able to manage with over-the-counter pain medications; complex procedures may require prescription medications for the first three to five days.
When should I call my dentist after oral surgery?
Contact your dentist or oral surgeon after a procedure if you experience bleeding that does not stop with 30 minutes of firm gauze pressure, severe pain that worsens after 48 hours instead of improving, fever above 101°F, significant swelling that increases after the third day, numbness that has not begun improving after a week, or any sign of pus or foul taste at the surgical site. These symptoms may indicate dry socket, infection, or other complications that need prompt treatment. The Smile Method provides after-hours contact information for all post-surgical patients.