A Clear Path Through Surgical Dental Care
Oral surgery includes procedures involving the teeth, gums, bone, and supporting structures of the mouth. You may be referred for an evaluation because of a tooth that cannot be restored, a missing tooth that needs implant support, a retained or impacted tooth, or another condition that requires surgical care.
The words “oral surgery” can create anxiety before you know what the procedure involves. Dr. Aaron Jeziorski will begin with a careful diagnosis and a plain-language explanation. Some needs can be managed at Acacia Dental; others are safest with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or another provider. If referral is appropriate, we will help make the handoff clear.
Surgical Care May Support
Tooth Extractions
A badly damaged, infected, fractured, or poorly positioned tooth may need removal when another treatment cannot provide a predictable result. The approach depends on the tooth and surrounding anatomy, from a simple extraction to a surgical removal of an impacted wisdom tooth. The extractions page explains the difference and what recovery looks like.
Bone Grafting
When a tooth is removed, or when bone has thinned after years without one, grafting material can be placed to preserve or rebuild the ridge. Socket preservation at the time of extraction and ridge augmentation before implant placement are both planned from imaging and discussed ahead of time.
Implant Placement
Dental implants are placed in the jaw to support replacement teeth. Planning includes the proposed restoration, bone, gum health, bite, medical history, and healing needs.
Full-Arch Procedures
When most or all teeth in an arch are failing, extractions, grafting, and implant placement can be coordinated into one planned sequence supporting a fixed restoration such as All-on-4. These are longer appointments, and sedation is usually part of the plan.
Preparation for Tooth Replacement
Some patients need a surgical step before an implant, denture, or other restoration can be completed. The exact need is based on clinical findings and will be discussed before treatment.
Evaluation of Pain or Swelling
Persistent pain, swelling, or an unusual area in the mouth deserves an examination. Treatment may be surgical or non-surgical depending on the cause.
Planning With Imaging
Digital X-rays show a tooth and its roots; a cone beam CT scan adds the third dimension. For surgical planning it lets Dr. Jeziorski see the shape of the bone, the path of the nerve in the lower jaw, the position of the sinuses, and the exact orientation of an impacted tooth before the appointment. For implants, that scan becomes a digital plan and, when helpful, a surgical guide that directs placement to the planned position.
Our approach is least-invasive first. If a tooth can be restored, we say so. If a simple extraction is possible, we do not plan a surgical one. If a case is beyond what is safest in a general practice, we refer rather than attempt it.
Before Surgery: Your Medical History
Surgery is safest when we know your full picture. Please tell us, before the appointment, if you have:
- A heart condition, a pacemaker, artificial heart valve, or a history of endocarditis
- Diabetes, and how well it is currently controlled
- A bleeding disorder or a tendency to bruise or bleed easily
- Blood thinners, aspirin, or bone-strengthening medications such as bisphosphonates, whether prescribed or over the counter
- A recent surgery, hospitalization, or change in medication
- Allergies to medications, latex, or anesthetics
- Pregnancy or the possibility of pregnancy
Do not stop any prescribed medication on your own before surgery. If a change is needed, we will coordinate it with your physician.
What to Expect
Consultation
We will review your symptoms, dental and medical history, medications, allergies, and previous images. Additional imaging may be recommended to understand the teeth and surrounding structures.
Treatment and Comfort Plan
Dr. Jeziorski will explain the proposed procedure, reasonable alternatives, risks, expected recovery, and costs. Local anesthesia is used to numb the treatment area. Laughing gas, oral sedation, or IV sedation may be considered for eligible patients depending on the procedure and health history.
Day-of-Care Preparation
Your instructions depend on the procedure and sedation. They may address food and drink, medications, transportation, and what to wear. Follow the written instructions exactly; call before the appointment if anything is unclear.
Recovery and Follow-Up
You will receive guidance for protecting the surgical area, managing expected discomfort, eating, oral hygiene, activity, and warning signs. The same instructions are available on our extraction and implant post-op care page. Keep your follow-up visit and contact the office if recovery is not progressing as described.
Why Choose Acacia Dental?
- Personal evaluation from Dr. Aaron Jeziorski
- Surgical, restorative, implant, and sedation planning in one Tempe office
- Referral when a case requires a different level of care
- Clear pre- and post-treatment instructions
- Financial options reviewed before care
- A calm approach for patients with dental anxiety
Questions, Answered
Oral Surgery FAQs
Do I Need a Referral for an Evaluation?
You can contact Acacia Dental directly. After examining the concern, Dr. Jeziorski can explain whether care is available in the practice or a referral is recommended.
Will I Be Awake?
Many procedures are completed with local anesthesia, meaning you are awake while the treatment area is numb. Sedation may help you relax but is not the same as general anesthesia. The appropriate option depends on your health and procedure.
How Should I Prepare?
Preparation varies. If sedation is planned, you may receive specific instructions about fasting, medications, and having a responsible adult drive and stay with you. Do not assume; follow the instructions provided for your visit.
How Long Is Recovery?
Recovery depends on the procedure and your health. You will receive case-specific guidance about activity, diet, oral hygiene, and when to return to routine responsibilities.
When Can I Return to Work?
After a simple extraction many patients are back at a desk the next day. Surgical extractions, wisdom teeth, grafting, and implant placement often call for two or three days of lighter activity, and physically demanding work may need longer. If you were sedated, plan to take the rest of that day off entirely.
Can Procedures Be Combined?
Often, yes. An extraction, socket grafting, and even implant placement can sometimes be completed in the same visit, and several teeth can be removed at once when it is safe to do so. Combining steps reduces the number of appointments and rounds of anesthesia, but it also lengthens the visit, so it is planned around your health and comfort rather than assumed.
When Should I Call After Surgery?
Call if you have symptoms that concern you or do not match the instructions provided. Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms may require urgent dental or medical attention.