Comprehensive Surgical Care, All in One Familiar Office
Oral surgery encompasses a broad range of procedures that go beyond routine dental care to address more complex clinical needs involving the teeth, gums, jawbone, and surrounding structures. At Smiles of Punta Gorda, we perform all of our oral surgery procedures in-house, which means you never need to be referred to an outside specialist for the surgical care that is part of your treatment plan. From tooth extractions and wisdom teeth removal to bone grafting and gum reconstruction, our experienced team handles every procedure with the same commitment to precision and patient comfort that defines everything we do.
Keeping surgical care within our practice offers meaningful advantages for patients. You work with a team that already knows your full dental and medical history, your treatment goals, and your preferences. Your surgical care is coordinated seamlessly with any restorative or implant treatment that follows, with no gaps in communication between providers. And you recover in the knowledge that the team monitoring your healing is the same team that performed your procedure and understands every detail of what was done. For patients who feel anxious about surgical dental procedures, our oral sedation options and chairside headphones are always available to make the experience as comfortable as possible.
Schedule an Oral Surgery ConsultationOur Oral Surgery Services
Patient Comfort During Oral Surgery
We understand that the idea of oral surgery can feel intimidating, and we take that seriously. At Smiles of Punta Gorda, every surgical procedure is performed under local anesthesia so you feel nothing during the procedure itself. For patients who want a greater level of relaxation, oral conscious sedation is available and highly recommended for more involved surgical cases. Oral sedation puts you in a deeply calm, comfortable state throughout the procedure without requiring general anesthesia. Most patients remember little to nothing of the appointment afterward.
Our headphones are also available if you would like to listen to music or a podcast during your procedure. Many patients find that having something familiar to focus on makes the experience feel far less clinical and much more manageable. Whatever you need to feel at ease, our team will work to provide it before, during, and after your surgical appointment.
Planning Your Surgical Care at Smiles of Punta Gorda
Every oral surgery procedure at Smiles of Punta Gorda begins with a thorough evaluation and honest conversation about what the treatment involves, what the recovery looks like, and what outcomes you can realistically expect. We use digital X-rays to assess the bone, tissue, and surrounding structures in detail before making any surgical recommendations, and we never proceed until you feel fully informed and confident in the plan.
For patients whose oral surgery is part of a larger treatment plan, such as extractions followed by implants or bone grafting in preparation for a full mouth reconstruction, we coordinate every phase carefully to ensure that each procedure supports the one that follows. This level of planning and coordination is one of the most significant advantages of receiving all of your care within the same practice.
Insurance and Financing for Oral Surgery
Many oral surgery procedures are considered clinically necessary and are covered at least partially by dental insurance. Coverage varies by procedure type, complexity, and your specific plan. Simple extractions, surgical extractions, wisdom tooth removal, bone grafting, and gum grafting are all procedures that commonly qualify for at least partial insurance coverage. Our front office team will verify your benefits before your appointment and provide a transparent cost estimate so you know what to expect before any treatment begins.
For patients managing out-of-pocket expenses or those whose treatment involves multiple surgical procedures across a broader treatment plan, we offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry. Both options provide flexible monthly payment plans with a simple application process.
Learn How We Make Treatment AccessibleReady to Move Forward With Your Oral Surgery?
Whether you need a straightforward extraction or a more involved procedure as part of a comprehensive implant or reconstruction plan, the team at Smiles of Punta Gorda is here to guide you through every step. Contact us today to schedule an oral surgery consultation at our Punta Gorda, FL dental office. New patients are welcome and we can often see you as soon as the next day.
Schedule an Oral Surgery ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
About Oral Surgery
We perform a comprehensive range of oral surgery procedures in-house including simple and surgical tooth extractions, wisdom teeth removal, bone grafting, ridge augmentation, and gum grafting. All of these procedures are performed by our experienced team at our Punta Gorda dental office, so you never need to be referred to an outside surgical specialist for the procedures we offer.
No. We do not use general anesthesia for our oral surgery procedures. All procedures are performed under local anesthesia, which thoroughly numbs the treatment area so you feel no pain during surgery. For patients who want additional relaxation, oral conscious sedation is available and highly recommended for more involved procedures. Oral sedation puts you in a deeply calm state throughout the procedure without putting you fully to sleep. You remain conscious and able to respond but feel relaxed and comfortable, and most patients have little to no memory of the procedure afterward.
Recovery time varies significantly depending on the procedure performed. Simple extractions typically resolve within a few days. Surgical extractions and wisdom tooth removal generally require three to seven days of recovery. Bone grafting and gum grafting procedures involve a longer healing period, with initial soft tissue healing taking one to two weeks and full maturation of the grafted tissue taking several months. Our team provides detailed aftercare instructions specific to your procedure and is available to answer any questions that arise during your recovery.
If local anesthesia only is used, most patients can drive themselves home after the procedure once the anesthetic has worn off enough for safe driving. If oral sedation is used, you will need a trusted adult to drive you home and stay with you for the initial recovery period, as the sedative effects take several hours to fully resolve. We will confirm the requirements for your specific procedure and sedation plan when you schedule your appointment.
Preparation depends on the specific procedure and whether sedation is involved. For procedures with oral sedation, you will typically need to avoid eating and drinking for a designated period before your appointment and arrange for someone to drive you home. For all surgical procedures, we recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and avoiding alcohol for at least twenty-four hours before the appointment. Our team will provide detailed pre-procedure instructions specific to your case when your appointment is scheduled.
Many oral surgery procedures are considered clinically necessary and are covered at least partially by most dental insurance plans. Simple and surgical extractions, wisdom tooth removal, bone grafting, and gum grafting commonly qualify for at least partial coverage. The extent of benefits depends on your specific plan and the procedure involved. Our front office team will verify your benefits and provide a clear cost estimate before your appointment. Financing through CareCredit and Cherry is available for any out-of-pocket balance.
We recommend a soft diet following any oral surgery procedure. Good options include yogurt, smoothies consumed without a straw, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soft cooked pasta, and similar foods that do not require significant chewing or put pressure on the surgical site. Avoid hot, spicy, crunchy, or chewy foods during the initial healing period. We will provide specific dietary guidelines based on your procedure and the location of the surgical site.
Our team is available to address any concerns that arise during your recovery. Common post-surgical issues such as dry socket after an extraction, unusual swelling, or persistent discomfort can all be evaluated and managed by our team promptly. We provide our contact information at every surgical appointment and encourage patients to reach out without hesitation if something does not feel right during their recovery. Your wellbeing during the healing period is as important to us as the procedure itself.
