Oral Surgery Galveston, TX

Whether you need to address a gummy smile or fix a tongue or lip tie, we can help. At Broadway Dental, oral surgery can restore our patient’s smiles. Oral surgery in our Galveston, TX, dental office can improve various problems.

Our office can repair gummy smiles, prepare for dental implant restorations, and help reverse gum damage. Our office also provides restorative dental treatments. We can also remove problem teeth and replace missing and extracted teeth. There is a wide range of treatments that improve the look, health, and function of your smile.

Oral Surgery in Galveston, TX

Reasons for Oral Surgery in Galveston, TX

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon can treat your teeth, gums, and jaw. Oral surgery can treat complex dental problems to improve oral health and mouth function.

There are multiple reasons why we may recommend oral surgery at Broadway Dental:

  • Jaw bone recession: When you lose a permanent tooth, your jaw bone loses support. Rebuilding your jawbone helps prepare for implant treatment and combats facial sagging.
  • Gum disease: Moderate to severe gum disease leads to gum recession. We can restore this gum tissue with grafting. 
  • Gummy smile/Uneven gum line: Cosmetic gum treatment can create a more even look. We can improve the look of your gums if you have excess gum tissue or an uneven gum line.
  • Tongue and lip tie: Some people are born with small bands of tissue that tether the lips or tongue to the mouth. Cutting this tissue helps improve nutrition and speech.
  • Damaged or Infected teeth: We will remove a problem tooth if we cannot save it with a root canal or restorative dentistry. 
  • Missing Teeth: Dental implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. An oral surgeon can place implants in the jaw bone to act as new tooth roots.

Oral Surgery Treatments in Galveston, TX

We offer a variety of oral surgeries for patients with various concerns, from gummy smiles to missing teeth. Our oral surgery treatments include: 

Osseous Grafting and Guided Tissue Regeneration

An osseous surgery is a procedure that reshapes the bone that holds your teeth in place. Osseous surgery commonly treats gum disease. Patients with gum disease, or periodontitis, experience defects in the bone around their teeth.

The osseous surgery removes those defects. Before the surgery, we perform scaling and root planing. Scaling removes bacterial buildup from the gums.

Root planing removes bacteria from tooth roots. We will use a local anesthetic so you do not feel pain during this treatment.

Once we clean the roots, our dentist uses a drill and sharp dental tool to reshape the bone surrounding the teeth. Depending on the extent of the defects, we remove the deformed bone and shape the rest. We use bone grafting material if defects are too large for only reshaping.

Once the bones return to their original state, we stitch the gums back into place. Osseous grafting is a routine procedure with a high success rate.

Lip and Tongue-Tie 

A lip-tie and a tongue-tie are common problems among young patients. Some patients are born with a small band of tissue that restricts their lips or tongue. As a result, they can have trouble eating, drinking, or speaking. Babies with tongue or lip-tie can also have trouble breastfeeding, which affects their early nutrition.

Gently cutting the band of tissue that creates a tongue or lip-tie can resolve these problems. Our office uses a dental laser to quickly and comfortably cut tissue, releasing the lips and tongue.

Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery

Your smile is the first thing someone notices about you. People form their first impressions based on the appearance of your smile. There was a time when, unless you made a lot of money or were born with perfect teeth, you had to live with your smile.

Today, many cosmetic procedures are available to the average citizen at a cost they can afford. Cosmetic gum surgery is for you if you have a gummy smile, uneven gum line, or elongated teeth.

Cosmetic periodontal surgery evenly sculpts the gum line. We create an even proportion of exposed tooth versus gum during this treatment. This procedure removes the excess gum and exposes more of the tooth crown.

If your gums have receded and your teeth appear overly long, soft tissue grafts can extend the gum line to create an aesthetic balance. The grafts also reduce the gum pockets, which are prone to future gum disease.

If you are unhappy with your smile, call us to discuss your options. After all, you only have one chance to make a first impression.

Bone Grafting

We build up the jawbone during bone grafting treatment to accommodate a dental implant or other restoration. Grafting is a common procedure for dental implants and other gum procedures. During this treatment, we take a sample from the patient.

When drilling occurs, we take bone from another area of the mouth. We suction the bone fragments from the mouth and used them for the graft. We also use cadaver bone fragments. Bone banks harvest them and are a safe source for bone donation.

Tooth Removal and Replacement

We provide tooth extraction treatment for infected, impacted, and overcrowded teeth. Our office will do everything we can to preserve your natural teeth. However, we must remove teeth for multiple reasons:

  • There is not enough room for the teeth to grow
  • A tooth is damaging other teeth
  • There is not enough room to straighten overcrowded teeth
  • A tooth is too infected to restore

Once we ensure you have healthy jaw bone tissue, you can receive implant treatment. Dental implants are titanium posts we place in the jaw bone beneath the gum tissue. As you heal from this treatment, the jaw bone will grow around the titanium implant. Proper healing will ensure the dental implants become a part of your mouth. 

Is Oral Surgery Painful?

At Broadway Dental, we ensure that you do not feel pain or discomfort during your oral surgery. We can numb your teeth or gums with an anesthetic. If your treatment is lengthy, we often recommend sedation. Dental sedation is an essential tool we often use before oral surgery.

General anesthesia is another option. Anesthesia ensures you are not awake during surgery.

Our office will also provide instructions on reducing gum or tooth discomfort after treatment. We often recommend rest, pain medication, cold compresses, and a soft diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have answers to some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about oral surgery.

How can I minimize swelling after oral surgery?

To reduce swelling, apply an ice pack on and off every 15-20 minutes for the first 24 hours. After the first day, switch to warm compresses to improve circulation and speed up healing. Elevating your head while resting can also help reduce swelling.

What’s the difference between simple and surgical tooth extractions?

A simple extraction removes teeth that are visible and easy to access, often done with just local anesthesia. Surgical extraction is needed for teeth that are impacted, broken, or below the gum line and may require sedation. Surgical extractions involve making incisions to access the tooth.

Are oral surgeries done with general anesthesia?

Oral surgeries can be done with various types of anesthesia, including local anesthesia, IV sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity and patient comfort. We will discuss the best option for you based on the procedure and any anxiety or health concerns.

Is jaw realignment surgery only for cosmetic purposes?

No, jaw realignment surgery (orthognathic surgery) is often performed for functional reasons, such as correcting bite issues, improving speech, and resolving breathing problems like sleep apnea. Improved facial aesthetics can be a benefit, but the primary goal is to restore proper function.

How do I prepare for oral surgery?

Preparation often includes fasting if anesthesia will be used and arranging a ride home if sedation is involved. Avoid smoking, and follow any specific instructions from your surgeon regarding medications or diet. Preparing a soft-food diet for recovery is also helpful.

When is it too late for a dental bone graft?

It’s rarely “too late” for a dental bone graft, but more extensive bone loss can complicate the procedure. If a tooth has been missing for many years, the bone might have deteriorated significantly, requiring a larger graft or specialized techniques. Consulting with a dentist or oral surgeon will help determine if a bone graft is still feasible for your situation.

Is it worth removing a tongue-tie as an adult?

Yes, removing a tongue-tie as an adult can be worth it, especially if it’s causing speech issues, discomfort, or difficulty with eating and oral hygiene. Many adults experience benefits after a tongue-tie release, including improved speech, less strain, and better oral health. Consulting with a specialist can help you decide if the procedure would improve your quality of life.

Receive Care Today

Do you need a problem tooth removed? Are you looking to treat a gummy smile? We offer oral surgery in Galveston, TX, to restore dental health and aesthetics. 

Call Broadway Dental at 409-235-0789 or schedule a dental appointment online. Please let us know if you have any questions about oral surgery. We’re here to help you.