Dental Implant Surgery
A dental implant is a titanium post placed in the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. After the bone bonds to the implant, an abutment is attached and then a crown, bridge, partial or denture is secured on top. Implant surgery starts with a consultation, a thorough evaluation and diagnostic imaging to confirm that you are a good candidate. See our dental implants page for replacement options.
Bone Grafting for Implant Support
When the jawbone has thinned after tooth loss, bone-rebuilding techniques can restore the support an implant needs, often with minimal surgical intervention.
Facial Pain, Injuries and Corrective Jaw Surgery
Our doctors can diagnose facial pain, facial injuries and fractures, and evaluate whether corrective jaw surgery may help. [CONFIRM: whether corrective jaw surgery and facial trauma care are performed at A Smile 4 U or coordinated with a hospital-based surgeon.] Gum surgery and gum disease treatment are handled by our periodontics team.
Do I Need Oral Surgery? Common Signs
These signs are a reason to book an exam. Only an exam and X-rays can confirm whether you need surgery:
- Pain, swelling or tenderness at the back of the mouth where wisdom teeth are coming in
- A tooth that is broken at the gum line or too damaged to repair
- Repeated infections or inflamed gums around a partially erupted tooth
- Crowding that affects your bite or your orthodontic treatment
- A missing tooth you would like to replace with an implant
- Jaw pain, facial pain or an injury to the mouth or face
Who Performs Your Oral Surgery
Your care starts with an exam and imaging so the doctor can decide whether your procedure can be completed in a routine visit or needs a surgical approach. Patients with a complex medical history or treatment plan receive a full evaluation first, and the surgery is scheduled as a separate appointment.
Our surgical team is trained to assist with IV sedation and outpatient general anesthesia, patients are monitored during and after surgery, and our staff is CPR certified.
Anesthesia and Sedation Options for Oral Surgery
Your doctor will recommend the option that fits your procedure, your health history and your comfort level:
- Local anesthesia: numbs the tooth, gums and surrounding bone. You stay awake and feel pressure, not pain.
- Nitrous oxide: a lighter option that helps you relax during treatment.
- Oral sedation: medication taken by mouth before your visit, sometimes combined with nitrous oxide.
- IV sedation: medication delivered through a vein in your arm or hand. Many patients drift in and out of sleep, which is why it is often called twilight sedation.
- General anesthesia: used for selected surgical cases, such as the removal of several impacted wisdom teeth.
If you feel anxious about dental work, explore our sedation dentistry options.
How to Prepare for Sedation
If you will receive IV sedation or general anesthesia:
- Do not eat or drink anything, including water, for 8 hours before your appointment, or for the time your office gives you. [CONFIRM: one fasting rule for all oral surgery pages.]
- Do not smoke for at least 12 hours before surgery. Cutting back sooner helps healing.
- Arrange for a responsible adult to bring you, stay during the procedure and drive you home.
- Wear loose clothing with sleeves that roll above the elbow, and low-heeled shoes.
- Remove contact lenses, jewelry and dentures, and skip lipstick, heavy makeup and nail polish.
- Call us if you have a cold, sore throat or stomach upset, and ask before taking your regular medications.
See the full guide on how to prepare for sedation
On the Day of Surgery
We review your health history, confirm your anesthesia plan and monitor you throughout the procedure. Before you leave, our team goes over your post-operative instructions with you and the adult who drives you home.
Recovery After Oral Surgery
Most healthy patients feel ready to return to their usual routine after a few days of rest. Implants and bone grafts need longer for the bone to heal, and your doctor will give you a timeline. To protect the treated area:
- Bite on gauze for 30 to 45 minutes and repeat if bleeding continues.
- For the first 72 hours, avoid straws, smoking, spitting, vigorous rinsing, alcohol and brushing next to the site.
- Limit vigorous exercise for 24 hours.
- Use an ice pack to reduce swelling, which usually goes down within 48 hours.
- Drink fluids and eat soft foods on the day of your procedure.
- Take medications as prescribed and finish any antibiotics.
- Do not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours after sedation.
Call your office right away if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, swelling that lasts more than 2 to 3 days, or a reaction to a medication.
Cost, Insurance and Payment Options
The cost of oral surgery depends on the procedure, the number of teeth treated, the imaging needed and the type of anesthesia. Dental or medical insurance may cover part or all of the cost. Before your appointment, check whether your plan covers the procedure with anesthesia and whether our office is in network.
No insurance? Ask about our in-house membership plan, and visit Patient & Insurance Resources for forms and coverage information.
Oral Surgery Near You: Our Five Georgia Offices
All offices are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call the office closest to you to confirm which surgical procedures are scheduled there.
| Office |
Address |
Phone |
| Cartersville, GA |
509 N. Tennessee Street, Suite 107, Cartersville, GA 30120 |
(770) 368-6182 |
| Dalton, GA |
1293 North Glenwood Avenue, Dalton, GA 30721 |
(770) 368-6183 |
| Decatur, GA |
1458 Church Street, Suite C, Decatur, GA 30033 |
(770) 368-6184 |
| East Point, GA |
2788 Bayard Street, East Point, GA 30344 |
(770) 368-6185 |
| Hiram, GA |
76 Highland Pavilion Court, Suite 193, Hiram, GA 30141 |
(770) 368-6187 |
Oral Surgery FAQs
Is oral surgery painful?
You should not feel pain during the procedure. Local anesthesia numbs the area, so you feel only pressure, and sedation can help you relax or sleep through treatment. Some soreness and swelling afterward is normal and usually improves within a few days with ice and the pain relief your doctor recommends.
How long does it take to recover from oral surgery?
Most patients return to normal activities within a few days after an extraction. Implants and bone grafts take longer because the bone needs time to heal. For wisdom teeth, see our wisdom teeth removal page.
Can I drive myself home after oral surgery?
Not after IV sedation or general anesthesia. A responsible adult must drive you home, and you should not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours. If you receive only local anesthesia, ask your doctor whether you can drive.
Can teenagers have oral surgery at A Smile 4 U?
Yes. We treat the whole family, and wisdom teeth are often evaluated in the late teens. Patients under 18 must come to the consultation with a parent or legal guardian.
What is dry socket and how can I prevent it?
Dry socket happens when the blood clot that forms in an extraction site is lost or dissolves too early, leaving the bone exposed and causing pain a few days after surgery. To lower the risk, avoid straws, smoking and spitting for 3 to 5 days, and call us if pain gets worse instead of better.
Do you offer oral surgery with sedation for anxious patients?
Yes. Depending on your procedure, options range from nitrous oxide to IV sedation, so you can stay relaxed or sleep through treatment. Learn more about sedation for wisdom teeth removal.
Schedule Your Oral Surgery Consultation
Whether you need a wisdom tooth removed, a surgical extraction or an implant evaluation, our team will explain your options before any treatment begins. Request an appointment online or call your nearest A Smile 4 U office.
