Services · Palos Hills, IL

Oral Surgery

Some procedures — impacted wisdom teeth, complex extractions, or surgical placement of dental implants — call for a level of surgical care beyond a routine office visit.

For these cases, we coordinate closely with trusted oral and maxillofacial surgeons, handling the diagnosis and planning here in our office and making sure your records and treatment plan transfer smoothly.

You'll know before you leave our office what the procedure involves, roughly what to expect for recovery, and who you'll be seeing — no surprises, no getting lost between offices.

Once the surgical work is complete, we handle your follow-up and ongoing care back here, so you have one consistent dental home throughout the process.

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Questions First?

Call us at (708) 974-1319 or see our FAQ.

What We Handle Surgically

Oral surgery covers the procedures that go beyond a straightforward extraction — where a tooth is below the gumline, broken off at the gum, or sitting at an angle that means it has to be reached rather than simply lifted out.

Impacted and erupted wisdom teeth
Surgical extraction of teeth that are broken at the gumline or badly decayed
Surgical placement of dental implants
Removal of retained roots left behind by an old extraction or fracture
Bone grafting to preserve a socket after extraction or prepare a site for an implant
Biopsy of suspicious soft tissue

Cases that call for general anaesthesia, or that are complex enough to warrant an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, we refer out. That is a judgement we make before treatment starts, not partway through it.

Wisdom Teeth: When They Need to Come Out

Not every wisdom tooth needs removing, and we don't recommend it routinely. A wisdom tooth that has come through straight, has room in the jaw, has something to bite against, and can actually be cleaned is a functional tooth and can stay.

Removal is recommended when the tooth is impacted against the one in front, comes in at an angle, is only partly through the gum and repeatedly traps food and becomes infected, has decay that can't be restored at that angle, or is causing a cyst. A panoramic X-ray shows which situation you're in — that's usually taken in the late teens or early twenties, before roots are fully formed and while healing is fastest.

What to Expect, and Recovery

Most surgical procedures here are done under local anaesthetic. A small incision is made in the gum, bone may be removed to access the tooth, the tooth is sometimes divided into sections to lift it out cleanly, and the site is cleaned and stitched. Stitches are often the dissolving kind.

Swelling peaks around 48 hours and then improves steadily. Most people take a day or two off for wisdom teeth and are largely back to normal within a week.

Bite on the gauze for 30–45 minutes; expect some oozing for the first day
Ice on the outside of the cheek for the first 24 hours, in 20-minute stretches
No rinsing, spitting, straws, or smoking for 24 hours — the clot protects the socket
Soft food and lukewarm drinks for a couple of days
Warm salt water rinses from day two, gently
Take pain relief before the anaesthetic wears off rather than after

Call us if pain worsens after day three, if swelling spreads or you develop a fever, or if bleeding doesn't settle.

Cost, Insurance, and a Consultation First

Surgical extractions and implant placement are quoted after an examination and X-rays, because what's involved varies enormously between one impacted tooth and another. Most dental plans cover surgical extractions at a percentage, and some medical plans contribute in specific circumstances. CareCredit is available for larger plans. Call (708) 974-1319 to arrange a consultation and we'll give you a clear picture of the procedure and the cost before you decide.

Common Questions

Oral Surgery — Questions Patients Ask

Do I need my wisdom teeth out?

Not always. Wisdom teeth that come in straight, have room, and can be cleaned properly can often stay. Removal is recommended when they're impacted, coming in at an angle, crowding other teeth, or repeatedly getting infected. An X-ray shows which situation you're in.

What's the difference between a simple and a surgical extraction?

A simple extraction removes a tooth that's fully visible above the gumline. A surgical extraction is needed when a tooth is impacted or broken at the gumline, and involves a small incision to reach it. Both are done under local anesthetic.

What's recovery like?

Expect swelling and soreness for two to three days, peaking around day two, then improving steadily. Most people take a day or two off from work or school for wisdom teeth. We'll give you written aftercare instructions and a number to call if something doesn't look right.

Do you refer out for complex cases?

Sometimes, and we'd rather tell you that up front. Procedures that call for general anesthesia or a specialist's hands are referred to an oral surgeon we trust. Straightforward surgical extractions and implant placement we handle here.

Still have a question? Call (708) 974-1319 or send us a message.