Oral Surgery

Minor surgical procedures involving the teeth, gums and jaw bone may be needed to preserve or enhance long-term health. While our philosophy rests on maintaining teeth, each situation deserves consideration of all the factors involved. So when the discussion we have together leads to a surgical correction, Dr. Zain will take every step necessary to ensure your comfort and safety.

A damaged tooth may need removal if it's beyond repair. We also understand patients sometimes choose to remove a tooth due to financial limitations. We'll always work hard to help you find the solution that fits every aspect of your situation. Regardless, Dr. Zain uses the best methods and equipment to provide a quick and painless visit. Fortunately, sedation options hold out a range of anxiety-reduction protocols that you may wish to consider as well.

Other minor procedures decided on are always applied with the same compassionate philosophy. Biopsies of suspicious tissue, reshaping of gum defects, or removal of obtrusive bone present scenarios that may involve surgical correction.

Dr. Zain will determine with you the best way for you to receive care. On occasion, they recommend a referral to a trusted specialist. Any time they feel you'll be served best by a colleague trained in a particular treatment, he won't hesitate to use the best resources for your care.

 

Frequently Asked Questions for an Oral Surgeon | Fredericksburg, VA

  • The oral and maxillofacial region for surgery refers to procedures on the mouth, jaw, and face. Many procedures come under this umbrella- from wisdom teeth removal to jaw repositioning.

    Many procedures are practiced in emergency medicine and urgent care following trauma, but others are used to make people more comfortable or for aesthetic reasons.

    Here are just a few examples of the procedures covered by oral and maxillofacial surgery.

    • Dental implants
    • Orthognathic (corrective jawbone) surgery
    • Wisdom tooth extraction
    • Mandibular joint surgery (jaw repositioning)
    • Maxillomandibular osteotomy (upper and lower jaw surgery to help with sleep apnoea and breathing problems)
    • Lip reconstructions
    • Rhinoplasty

    This is just scratching the surface- there are many more specialized surgeries performed by this type of surgeon or doctor.

  • The reputation of Dr. Zain and the team at Serene Smiles is beyond reproach, and his approach to dentistry and oral surgery sets this clinic apart. If you are looking for the best care from the beginning until the end of your oral surgery, Fredericksburg, VA, journey, you can trust that Serene Smiles is the place to get it.

  • Serene Smiles offers several minor oral surgeries and some maxillofacial surgery options. The most common include dental implants, removal of impacted wisdom teeth, and some minor jawbone surgeries in relation to implant preparation.

    Speak to a member of the team for a full list of the services offered by the Serene Smiles oral surgeons in Fredericksburg, VA.

  • Oral surgeons generally spend an additional four years at dental school to gain the qualifications needed to perform these types of procedures. These are specialty skills that not every dentist has, and many dentistry practices cannot offer these services.

  • In most cases, local anesthesia is sufficient for oral surgeries. There are very few circumstances where general anesthesia would be administered. If it was, it would be by doctors, not in a dentist's office.

    If you have any concerns about the types of anesthesiology used at Serene Smiles, the team is happy to explain the process and discuss your options. Making you feel comfortable and relaxed is one of our priorities.

  • That entirely depends on the type of procedure you undergo, and your general health can also influence your recovery period. Here are the rough recovery times for some of the oral surgeries offered at Serene Smiles:

    Dental Implants

    The actual procedure can take several months- from three months to a year in some cases. Your recovery time will depend on whether or not you need any teeth removed, your general health at the time of the surgery, how many implants you have, and where in your mouth they are located.

    If you don't have any teeth removed, the recovery could take between two and six months. With an extraction, it is likely to take longer- between eight months and a year.

    The reason it can take so long is because the implant has to fuse with your jaw.

    Wisdom Teeth Removals

    Most wisdom teeth extractions have fully healed within two weeks of the surgery as long as there are no complications.

  • Although some maxillofacial surgery treatments are considered plastic surgery, most oral surgeries are not. Oral surgeons usually carry out procedures to improve the dental health and comfort of a person, not just for aesthetic benefits.

    Even in treatments that improve the appearance of a person's smile, there are other benefits and reasons for doing it.

  • It depends on your policy, but most dental insurance plans do not cover implants because there are lower-cost options for replacing missing teeth. Sometimes following trauma or injuries, there may be an exception, but it really comes down to your specific coverage.

    In general, most oral surgery procedures are not standard inclusions in dental insurance plans unless they are considered essential emergency treatments.

    That said, Serene Smiles offers several financing options and works to provide payment options to suit every client and bring beautiful smiles to all.

  • There are some gum surgery options that may combat gum disease, and decaying teeth can be removed and replaced with implants, but usually, concerns regarding these issues are first addressed with treatment plans to restore good oral hygiene and avoid future problems.

    Many oral surgeries cannot be performed if the patient has gum disease- including implant dentistry.