Some dental practices must refer patients to oral surgeons when they need an advanced surgical procedure. However, our team is pleased to perform oral surgery in-house. Our experienced team will walk you through every step. We will work with you at a consultation to form your custom treatment plan. Then, we will provide aftercare instructions for a smooth healing process.
At Vista Ridge Family Dentistry, we provide oral surgery as a part of restorative dentistry. Removing problem teeth, restoring the gums, or replacing missing teeth can renew your dental health.
Cedar Park Oral Surgeons
Our in-office surgeons at Vista Ridge Family Dentistry can provide tooth removal services, grafting, and more. Dr. Supriya Patel specializes in dental implants, tooth extractions, and gum surgery. She received a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, TX. After dental school, she used her general dental skills to treat patients with complex dental problems.
Dr. Patel is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry. She is passionate about helping patients with common yet highly damaging dental problems, including tooth and gum infections.
Like Dr. Patel, Dr. Andrew Chaney received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, TX. He has continued his education in implant dentistry, oral surgery, and endodontics. Endodontics is a branch of dentistry that studies the dental pulp. When the blood vessels, cells, and nerves within the tooth are infected, they require removal. Sometimes, extractions can remove infection if bacteria completely damage a tooth.
Dr. Chaney enjoys helping anxious patients receive the care they need with dental tools like sedation. He is dedicated to making Vista Ridge Family Dentistry warm and welcoming for his patients.
Types of Oral Surgery in Cedar Park, TX
We provide extractions, implants, and grafting services. Learn more about oral surgery treatments in our dental office below:
Tooth Extractions
We may remove a permanent tooth for a variety of reasons. A tooth infection can impact the structure of the tooth. When a tooth becomes too weak, we need to remove and replace the tooth. In other cases, we remove overcrowded and severely damaged teeth.
We may also remove teeth as part of a patient’s orthodontic treatment plan. Commonly, we remove damaged or infected teeth before patients receive complete dentures. We want patients to keep their natural teeth as much as possible, but removing a problem tooth is sometimes the best option.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Some of the most common dental extractions are wisdom teeth extractions. Our dental care team recommends this to patients in their late teens or early twenties.
Some patients’ wisdom teeth grow correctly. They will not require extractions. However, in some cases, teeth are impacted. Impacted teeth do not have enough room to grow. As a result, they can cause alignment issues or damage other teeth.
One or more wisdom teeth will likely require removal. We can remove all four wisdom teeth at once during a single office visit.
Dental Implants
An implant is a titanium post that restores a missing tooth at its root. We use one or more implants to secure crowns, bridges, and dentures.
An oral surgeon inserts a titanium post into the jawbone during dental implant treatment. While implant surgery is more invasive than a dental bridge or removable denture, implants look natural and feel sturdy. Implant-supported dentures only require a few implants to secure an arch. This is ideal for patients with several missing teeth.
Gum and Bone Grafting
Grafting can restore receding gum lines and areas of jawbone loss. Unfortunately, the gums and jawbones cannot grow back or repair themselves over time. With gum grafting, we typically take some tissue from the roof of your mouth. Then, we place it in areas of recession. During bone grafting treatment, we secure donor bone in the jaw.
Grafting is helpful for multiple treatments. Grafting can add more gum tissue if you develop gum disease and have deep gum pockets. This new, healthy gum tissue helps protect the tooth roots.
We also recommend bone grafting before implant treatment. You can lose a large amount of jaw bone after you’ve lost a tooth. This is especially true if you wait to replace a lost tooth. Dental implants, like natural tooth roots, require enough jaw bone for lasting support.
Care After Oral Surgery
Most oral surgeries have similar post-op instructions. You will want to return home to rest. If you receive sedation, you need transport to bring you home.
Eating soft foods for at least several days will prevent irritation at surgical sites. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, or using straws. If you experience swelling, apply a cold compress to the side of your cheek. Take pain medication as prescribed.
We may provide gauze to cover surgical sites. Replace the gauze as needed until the bleeding stops. Contact us if you continue to bleed for a day or more.
Comfortable Oral Surgery with Dental Sedation
When you need longer or more advanced care, we understand it can be intimidating. We always want you to feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Whether you’re scheduling a bone graft or dental implant surgery, we can help you feel relaxed.
Vista Ridge Family Dentistry offers safe and effective dental sedation services. These services include nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. Sedation can make oral surgery and other treatments much more pleasant. Some types of sedation make it feel like you’re asleep during treatment. Others ensure that you can respond to us but do not feel any pain.
Often, we may not require sedation for minor surgeries, including simple tooth extractions. During a simple extraction, we remove a tooth above the gum line. First, we numb the tooth with a local anesthetic. Then, we gently rock the tooth back and forth.
Oral Surgery FAQs
Our office performs multiple different types of oral surgery. Read the answers to these patient questions.
Is oral surgery painful?
During the procedure, patients are given local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia to prevent pain. Some discomfort is expected after surgery, but it is usually manageable with prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers. Following post-operative care instructions helps reduce pain and speed up healing. Most patients find that the discomfort subsides within a few days.
How long does it take to recover from oral surgery?
Recovery time depends on the type of oral surgery performed. Simple procedures like tooth extractions may take a few days to a week, while more complex surgeries like jaw realignment or dental implants can take several weeks or months. Swelling and soreness typically peak within the first 48 hours and gradually improve.
What should I eat after oral surgery?
After oral surgery, soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies, and soup are recommended. Avoid hard, crunchy, spicy, or hot foods that could irritate the surgical site. Staying hydrated and avoiding straws (to prevent dry socket) are also important.
Will I be awake during oral surgery?
It depends on the type of surgery and the anesthesia used. Some procedures only require local anesthesia, which numbs the area while you remain awake. Others may involve sedation or general anesthesia, which puts you in a sleep-like state. We will discuss the best option based on your procedure and medical history.
What should I do if I experience excessive bleeding after oral surgery?
Some bleeding is normal after oral surgery, but excessive or prolonged bleeding should be addressed. Bite gently on a gauze pad for 30–45 minutes to help clot formation. If bleeding persists beyond several hours, contact your oral surgeon immediately. Avoid strenuous activity, hot liquids, and spitting, as these can worsen bleeding.
How do I know if I need my wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth often cause problems if they are impacted, misaligned, or don’t have enough space to grow properly. Common signs that you may need wisdom teeth removal include pain, swelling, gum infection, and difficulty chewing. Regular dental exams and X-rays help determine whether wisdom teeth should be extracted.
Contact Our Dental Office
Oral surgery in Cedar Park, TX, can improve the health and look of your teeth and gums. Schedule a dental appointment online to learn more about your treatment options. You can also call Vista Ridge Family Dentistry at 512-866-9654. If you have any questions or you’d like to learn more, feel free to give us a call or send us a message.
