Oral Surgery in La Jolla, CA

Oral surgery consists of a variety of different treatments, ranging from wisdom tooth removal to placing dental implants and cleft palate repair. Depending on your situation, Harmony Dental Group can provide specific types of oral surgery at our dental office in La Jolla, CA. If it’s a more complex procedure that you require, we can also network with local oral surgeons to ensure a safe, streamlined care process.

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You’ll have a safe and comfortable experience

Our professional oral surgeons use the latest technology and have experience in all types of dental surgery procedures. We ensure you have a safe and comfortable experience beyond the standards so you can be sure that you’re in good hands!

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Common Types of Oral Surgery

There are dozens of different types of oral surgeries that dentists, oral surgeons, or similar specialists may offer. Some of the most common types of oral surgeries in the La Jolla, CA area include:

Surgical dental extractions
Wisdom tooth removal
Placing dental implants
Extracting impacted teeth
Sinus lifts
Bone or soft tissue augmentation (grafting)
Gum recontouring, crown lengthening, or pocket reduction
TMJ surgery
Cleft lip or palate repair
Biopsies
Tongue tie and lip tie correction
Removal of a cyst or tumor
Snoring and sleep apnea correction

What to Expect During Oral Surgery

Most oral surgeries in La Jolla are performed with some type of sedation to ensure a comfortable and efficient care experience. Various levels of sedation may be available, ranging from nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to deeper sedatives that make you feel as if you’re napping through the procedure. For oral or IV sedation, you will need to have someone escort you to and from the procedure, as drowsiness may last for at least a few hours after your appointment.

Planning for Oral Surgery

During your dental exam, we will take X-rays to assess the soft and bony structures around the area in question. We will then discuss the pros and cons of each viable treatment and recommend surgery when necessary. On the date of your surgical procedure, we may recommend not eating or drinking anything in the hours leading up to your appointment, especially if sedation is going to be used.

This is also the perfect time to plan for your recovery process. We recommend filling any prescriptions and having soft foods on hand to make mealtime simple and more comfortable while your mouth heals. Soft foods like pudding, gelatin, yogurt, mashed potatoes, and cottage cheese are all good options to help you feel full without irritating your surgical site.

The Day of Your Surgery

If you’re planning to be sedated, do not eat or drink anything prior to your appointment and be sure to have someone there with you to drive home afterward. If your procedure doesn’t require sedation or only uses laughing gas, it is safe for you to drive yourself.

Local anesthetic will be used to completely numb the area being treated. Even without sedation, you shouldn’t feel anything more than a bit of pressure. Because of advanced techniques and equipment, minimally invasive treatment methods can reduce the complexity of your procedure for a gentler experience.

Recovery and Follow-up

Some oral surgeries only require a day or two to recover, while others may take up to a week or more before you feel like returning to normal activities. We’ll provide you with a written copy of your home care instructions to promote proper healing and reduce the risk of any infections. It’s important that you follow these directions carefully, as some activities could delay your recovery.

Always be sure to take any medication as directed, especially if we prescribe antibiotics. Clean your mouth as instructed and apply a cold compress if needed to reduce inflammation.

For some procedures, we will need to see you for a follow-up appointment. Be sure to contact our office if you’re experiencing any increased pain or bleeding following your oral surgery.

Periodontal procedures such as pocket reduction may require special follow-up visits to ensure proper results. If you have any questions about your treatment, you can feel free to contact our office at any time.

Trusted oral surgery in La Jolla

At Harmony Dental Group, you can be confident that professional, experienced, and caring doctors will perform your oral surgery using cutting-edge technology for the best possible care!

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Wisdom Tooth Removal in La Jolla

One of the most common types of oral surgery that we see in La Jolla is wisdom tooth extractions. Because wisdom teeth are often impacted or painful, removing them tends to be the best way to prevent ongoing discomfort or damage to adjacent tooth structures.

Most wisdom teeth erupt sometime during high school or college, but they can continue developing until a person is nearly 30 years old. The pressure they place on neighboring teeth can cause issues with crowding or partial eruption, making them difficult—if not impossible—to keep clean.

If you suspect that you or your teen needs to have their wisdom teeth removed, our La Jolla dentist can take a full-mouth X-ray to assess the situation. This image will show us the placement and number of wisdom teeth you have and whether or not they are posing a risk to surrounding tissues and teeth.

How Long Does it Take to Recover From Wisdom Tooth Surgery?

Most people are able to return to work or school within a few days of having their wisdom teeth removed. It’s important to rest the first few days and stay hydrated. Keeping your head elevated and applying a cold compress will reduce inflammation and bleeding, ensuring a quicker recovery.

Be sure to avoid any hot or crunchy foods as well as drinking through a straw, as these could irritate the extraction site and lead to a painful dry socket. It’s also important to avoid rigorous activity or exercise for at least two weeks after your oral surgery. In instances where a dry socket may develop, it could take at least two weeks for the area to heal properly.

Your long-term oral health is our highest priority, and we always strive to make getting quality dental care easy, convenient and affordable!

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