FAQ

Your dentist will typically refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon if they believe you may need a procedure that is routinely performed by an oral surgeon, such as extraction of teeth, placement of dental implants or bone grafting.  However, we are happy to see patients without a referral from a general dentist.

Like any type of surgical procedure, oral surgery procedures do carry risks of negative side effects. The risks vary greatly depending on the specific procedure that is performed and our surgeons will discuss these with you in detail prior to your surgery.  The benefits of oral surgery include improved oral health and overall health, improved confidence and self-esteem, improved appearance, and reduced risk of pain, discomfort, facial deformity, and other problems.

Your oral surgeon will recommend what to eat after oral surgery. Typically, you will need to eat soft foods and avoid hard and sticky foods, chewing ice, using straws, using tobacco products, and drinking alcohol.

You should see an oral or facial surgeon if you have severe tooth decay or loss, pain in your teeth, pain from erupting wisdom teeth, trauma to the face, mouth, teeth, or jaw or missing teeth.

It depends on the complexity of the procedure, how many teeth are being removed, and the method used. In general, surgical wisdom teeth removal can take between 15 minutes to one hour.

Wisdom teeth removal is performed under IV general anesthesia so you are comfortable and asleep during the procedure.   It will feel like it took two seconds!  After surgery, you may experience a few days of soreness, tenderness, swelling, and sensitivity.   Discomfort and recovery will vary for everyone and your surgeon will give you an idea what to expect afterward during your consultation appointment.

Your oral surgeon will advise you on what to eat after wisdom teeth removal. In general, you should stick to liquids and soft foods and avoid eating hard or sticky foods, chewing ice, using straws, drinking alcohol, using tobacco products, and consuming overly sugary items.

Typically, between the ages of 15 and 25.

If your wisdom teeth are impacted, infected, coming in crooked, or causing pain or discomfort they should be removed.   Our surgeons will discuss this with you during your consultation appointment.

Many dental insurance carriers cover dental implants.  We will give you an insurance estimate at your complimentary implant consultation.

With proper care, regular dental visits and checkups, a consistent daily oral hygiene routine, and avoiding detrimental activities such as smoking, dental implants can last for the rest of your life.

Dental implant procedures offer a long-term, natural-looking solution for missing teeth. They improve aesthetics and can prevent the complications associated with missing teeth such as bone loss. They can also make it much easier to speak, eat, and chew.