Dental Surgery in Valencia, CA

Yes, in everyday use. AAOMS defines oral surgery as surgery performed in or around the mouth, with a dental implant procedure or a tooth extraction as its examples. The most common group is what AAOMS calls dentoalveolar surgery: procedures involving the tooth-bearing bone and its supporting structures, including extracting teeth, removing impacted wisdom teeth, bone grafting in preparation for implants, gum surgery and removing cysts in the jaw.

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a dental specialist trained in a hospital-based residency for at least four years, per AAOMS, and AAOMS advises consulting one for the more complex procedures. AAOMS says a simple extraction may be done by a general or family dentist.

Dr. Robert P. Hedvat, a general dentist practicing since 2011 and leading Smile Care Valencia since 2018, places dental implants and does bone grafting. Dr. Raffie Garabedian is the practice's periodontist, the specialist in the gums and the bone that supports the teeth.

AAOMS explains the difference. A simple extraction removes a tooth without incisions or special techniques, and a general dentist or an oral surgeon may perform it. A surgical extraction is needed when gum tissue covers the tooth, so an incision is made to expose it, or when bone covers part of the tooth, so some bone is removed to free it; sutures may then be placed to help healing. Whether a tooth is broken or decayed below the gumline, too fragile to remove intact, or awkward in shape, size or position decides which kind of extraction it will be.

AAOMS lists impacted wisdom teeth, severe decay and seriously broken or fractured teeth as the common reasons for removal, and notes that many damaged teeth can instead be repaired with fillings or crowns. Our office emphasizes conservative treatment. For a tooth that does come out, AAOMS recommends a dental implant to replace it, except for wisdom teeth, to prevent bone loss. Patients on certain medications or with certain health conditions may need a referral to an oral surgeon, per AAOMS, and that is decided at your exam.

Wisdom teeth, the third molars, usually appear between ages 17 and 21, according to the ADA. When your dentist says they are impacted, they are trapped in the jaw or under the gums. The ADA says removal may be needed when there is evidence of pain, infection, cysts, tumors, damage to neighboring teeth, gum disease, or decay that cannot or should not be repaired, and that the decision follows an exam and an X-ray.

The ADA says wisdom teeth that are not removed should continue to be monitored, because problems can develop later, and that people face greater risk of problems with their wisdom teeth as they age. A wisdom tooth that is healthy and fully through can be kept and watched; one that is partially through gives bacteria a place to enter the gums and can cause pain, swelling and jaw stiffness.

Mayo Clinic says planning for implant surgery includes a full dental exam with X-rays and 3D images, a review of your medical history and medications, and a treatment plan made for you. Here that 3D image comes from an in-office cone-beam CT scanner, which gives a detailed view of the teeth, jawbone, sinuses and nearby nerves. It is used to evaluate complex concerns and plan implant treatment with greater precision, and Mayo notes that if the jawbone is not thick enough, bone grafting may be needed before implants can be placed.

Bring a list of your medications and medical conditions. Mayo Clinic says that for certain heart conditions or bone or joint implants, antibiotics may be prescribed before surgery to help prevent infection, and the medical history review is where that is decided.

At Smile Care Valencia the options include nitrous oxide, which is gentle and fast-acting with the patient awake and responsive and effects that wear off quickly; twilight sedation where appropriate, after reviewing your health and the planned procedure; and IV sedation, with the medication adjusted throughout and the patient carefully monitored, under the care of a Dental Anesthesiologist.

If you are having sedation, Mayo Clinic says to plan for someone to take you home and to expect to rest through the end of the day. We take dental anxiety seriously, and the consultation is the place to say so.

Mayo Clinic lists the usual after-effects of implant surgery as swelling of the gums and face, bruising of the skin and gums, pain at the site and minor bleeding, and says you may need pain medicine or antibiotics and soft foods while the site heals. Stitches are often the kind that dissolve on their own. Cleveland Clinic says most people return to routine activities in two to three days after implant placement and should avoid strenuous exercise for at least 48 hours.

Mayo Clinic says to contact your surgeon if swelling, soreness or any other problem gets worse in the days after surgery. Cleveland Clinic's specific signs to call about are severe bleeding, pain that does not improve with medication, pus near the surgical site, or a fever of 101 degrees or higher. For selected gum and soft-tissue procedures, our office also offers laser dentistry, which in appropriate cases may reduce bleeding, minimize discomfort and make recovery easier.

That depends on your plan and the procedure. We accept most PPO dental plans, along with CareCredit and other financial arrangements. Benefits and network participation vary by plan, so our team will gladly verify your coverage before treatment, and helps patients understand their benefits and financial options clearly before proceeding.