Oral Surgery in Pompano Beach, FL

Our oral surgery services in Pompano Beach

Each procedure has its own page with what it involves, what recovery is like and what it is usually paired with.

• Tooth extractions. Simple removal of teeth that are through the gum, and surgical removal of broken, impacted and wisdom teeth. Sedation is available, and the replacement tooth is planned before the extraction so bone is preserved.
• Bone grafting. Rebuilding jawbone that has shrunk after tooth loss or gum disease, most often in the socket at the time of extraction or as a ridge graft before an implant.
• Sinus lift. Adding bone beneath the sinus floor in the upper back jaw, where bone is often too thin for implants after molars have been missing for a while.
• Gum grafting. Covering roots exposed by recession to reduce sensitivity, protect the root from decay and stop the recession from progressing.
• Pocket reduction surgery. For periodontitis that persists after scaling and root planing: the gum is folded back, the roots and bone are cleaned, and the gum is repositioned so the pockets are shallow enough to keep clean.
• Crown lengthening. Reshaping gum and bone to expose more of a tooth, either so a crown has enough tooth to hold onto after a fracture or deep decay, or to correct a gummy smile.
• Oral pathology and biopsy. Evaluation of white or red patches, ulcers that do not heal within two weeks, lumps and other changes found at an exam or an oral cancer screening, with a biopsy sent to a pathology lab when needed.
• Reconstructive surgery. Combinations of the above, such as rebuilding a whole ridge after multiple extractions ahead of an All-on-4 arch or a full mouth reconstruction.

Who performs the surgery

Extractions and surgical procedures, including implant placement, grafting, sinus lifts, periodontal surgery and wisdom teeth, are performed by our periodontist at South Florida Smile Spa, in our Pompano Beach office, on scheduled surgery days. Dr. Berger plans the restorative side of every surgical case: what the implant, crown or bridge will be, where it needs to sit, and therefore where bone and gum need to be. She also provides the sedation. Both work from the same 3D scan and treatment plan, so you see the same team before, during and after, and nothing is lost between offices.

How a surgical visit is planned

1. 3D imaging. A cone beam CT scan shows bone height and width, the sinus floor, the nerve canal in the lower jaw and any infection, in a way a flat X-ray cannot. Every graft, implant and surgical extraction here is planned on it.
2. Medical review. Blood thinners, diabetes, osteoporosis medication, smoking and recent surgery all change how a procedure is planned. We coordinate with your physician where needed. Dr. Berger has written a guide to medications before dental sedation.
3. Your comfort plan. Local anesthetic for everything; nitrous oxide, oral sedation or IV sedation on top of it, chosen with you. IV sedation is given and monitored by Dr. Berger, who holds a Florida conscious sedation permit, and is the usual choice for longer or multiple procedures.
4. The procedure, with the restorative steps that follow already scheduled.
5. Written aftercare and a review visit. Most surgical sites are checked at about one week and again when the next phase is due.

Recovery, in general

Recovery depends on the procedure, and each service page gives specifics, but the pattern is similar. Expect swelling that peaks around the second or third day and then settles, a soft diet for a few days, and discomfort that is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relief, with a prescription for larger procedures. Stitches dissolve or are removed at about a week. Grafts need the longest: the bone matures over three to six months before an implant can be placed in it. The American Dental Association’s patient guidance on anesthesia and sedation describes the sedation options used for these procedures.

Cost and insurance

Fees depend on the procedure, the number of sites, the sedation you choose and whether graft material is used, and you receive the exact figure after the exam and scan, before anything is scheduled. Extractions and most periodontal surgery are covered in part by dental insurance; some procedures, including impacted wisdom teeth and biopsies, may also be covered under medical insurance. Our team checks both and submits the claims, and monthly financing is available for the balance. When surgery is one phase of a larger plan, the whole plan is quoted together so you can see what each stage involves.