Oral Surgery

There are several types of oral surgery procedures and many reasons for having one done. We do many common oral surgery procedures right here in our office. We’re well equipped to make your surgery as comfortable and stress-free an experience as possible. Dr. Smith and Dr. Rackley have extensive experience with a variety of oral surgery procedures.

Types of Oral Surgery

One of the most common types of oral surgery involves removing wisdom teeth. The third set of molars are the teeth that most often end up needing to be removed. It’s not uncommon for them to be removed simply because there is not enough space for them to emerge without crowding out existing teeth. At times, they fail to emerge from the gum like they should.

Unfortunately, life is filled with many perils for your teeth, and they can’t always go the distance. Another very common cause is an infection. If a cavity has reached the root of the tooth where the nerve and blood vessels are, the tooth may need to go before the infection spreads to the bone or other areas in the mouth. Similarly, if gum disease has developed unchecked due to poor oral hygiene, the tooth can loosen from the bone and need to be taken out.

Preparation for dentures will sometimes also be a reason for teeth to be extracted. There are lots of reasons why you may need to part with a tooth.

Another common oral surgery is to prepare a patient for a dental implant. With a dental implant, the metal post must first be inserted into the bone and allowed time to heal before the crown is placed onto the post to create the look and feel of a natural tooth. Finally, if we find something that looks suspicious during our oral cancer screening that is included as part of an oral exam, we may take a biopsy of the affected tissue to send to our lab for analysis. During a biopsy procedure the dentist will cut off a small part of the tissue to get a sample large enough for testing.

Many of these oral surgery procedures are provided by Dr. Smith and Dr. Rackley right here in our office. Sometimes, more specialized procedures, will be performed by a member of our team of specialists to ensure you receive the care appropriate for your specific situation and needs. Our team will be happy to explain your case with you and get you pointed in the right direction.

A Stress-Free Experience

There are many reasons for needing oral surgery. Whatever the cause, Dr. Smith and Dr. Rackley are experienced and equipped to make your experience a positive one. They will take the time to explain each procedure and answer any questions ahead of time to ensure you are comfortable with the process before it even begins.