Oral Surgery Specialist

The Artistic Center for Dentistry

General and Cosmetic Dentistry located in Santa Monica, CA

Surgery of any kind, even oral surgery, can leave you feeling anxious and fearful. At The Artistic Center for Dentistry in Santa Monica, California, Sanaz Khoubnazar, DMD, understands your concerns and offers the most advanced techniques and tools to ensure you get the best care with the least amount of discomfort during your oral surgery. She also takes the time to explain what you can expect during your procedure to reduce your anxiety. For expert dental care and oral surgery, call the office or book an appointment online today.

Oral Surgery Q & A

What is oral surgery?

Oral surgery includes procedures that help repair or restore your teeth, gums, bone, and other tissues that have been damaged due to trauma or decay. It's also used to correct congenital defects or repair and restore tissues following surgery. You may also need oral surgery to treat some types of oral cancer.

What are some common oral surgery procedures?

There are many different types of oral surgery. Some of the most common procedures include:

  • Wisdom tooth removal
  • Dental implants
  • Treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
  • Repair of oral and facial injuries
  • Biopsy and lesion removal
  • Cleft palate repair
  • Treatments for apnea and snoring
  • Bone grafting
  • Complex extractions

No matter what type of oral surgery you need, Dr. Khoubnazar provides details about the procedure, how to prepare, and what to expect afterward to ease your anxiety and concerns.

Will I need to have my wisdom teeth removed?

Not necessarily, as many people have “normal,” healthy wisdom teeth that do not need to be removed. But in other cases, wisdom teeth may be too crowded to erupt properly, coming in sideways or becoming “stuck” under the gumline and ultimately causing pain and crowding.

Even when wisdom teeth are normal, they can be very difficult to clean, providing ideal spots for bacteria, plaque, and even tartar to form. As a result, many people still choose to have their wisdom teeth out so they don't cause problems like decay or gum disease.

How are extractions performed?

That depends in part on where your tooth is located. Some teeth can be extracted simply by grasping the tooth firmly and wiggling it back and forth to loosen the roots, eventually allowing the tooth to be carefully removed from its socket. Other teeth, such as those that have broken off or are impacted, may need to be broken apart before they can be successfully removed. No matter which approach is used, your discomfort is kept to a minimum thanks to today's modern techniques and pain-relieving products.

To learn more about the oral surgery options at The Artistic Center for Dentistry, schedule an appointment online or by phone today.