Oral Surgery Fort Washington, MD

If you are in need of oral surgery, call (301) 248-8080 to schedule an appointment with our Fort Washington, MD dental office. At James E Sullivan DDS, we can provide you with the surgical procedure you need to maintain or restore your oral health. When it comes to dentistry, only certain dentists perform surgical procedures. Whether you are looking for a new dentist or are currently under the care of one and need more intensive procedures, we welcome your call. Dr. James Sullivan can examine you, give you an opinion regarding whether or not you need surgery, what procedure will benefit you, and what you can expect from the process. Feel free to ask as many questions as you need in order to feel prepared and comfortable. In the meantime, here are a few frequently asked questions we hear in our 20744 dentist office.

Why do people get oral surgery?
There are three main reasons that a surgical procedure could be necessary. The first is your health. Tooth decay is incredibly common, and if you receive regular dental care, it is easy to catch and treat before it causes discomfort or spreads. Unfortunately, too many people do not visit the dentist on a regular basis, and this can allow infections to set in. Occasionally, the decay becomes so bad, the tooth has to be removed. Other times, it can be saved with a root canal, but regardless, immediate dental care is necessary to stop the discomfort. It may also be necessary for Dr. James Sullivan to perform oral surgery to correct a problem with your gums. If you have gum disease and suffer from gum recession, you could need a surgical gum graft, for example.

The second reason we perform oral surgery is to remove wisdom teeth. While they do not always pose an immediate health risk, they can grow in impacted and cause discomfort. Removing them can prevent future infections and stop your wisdom teeth from pushing your other teeth forward.

Lastly, our Fort Washington patients receive oral surgery for cosmetic reasons. Primarily, this is to replace missing teeth with dental implants. An implant is the most secure and durable solution for tooth loss, because it is the only solution that replaces the root in addition to the tooth. To do so, Dr. James Sullivan implants a titanium post under the gums and secures it to the jaw bone. Titanium is used because it is a strong metal that the body treats like natural matter. As a result, the implant and jaw bone will fuse together through the process of osseointegration. This takes a few months, but once complete, a new root system is developed, and when the new tooth is attached, it will be as secure as a natural one. To learn more about this process, call 301-248-8080 and schedule an appointment with our 20744 dental office.

Is oral surgery used with orthodontics?
Yes, when an orthodontist straightens teeth, one of the issues they address is overcrowding. There are certain procedures that can create space in the mouth, and one of them is to extract teeth. While not always necessary, some orthodontists will make a recommendation to have one or several teeth removed as part of the treatment process. An orthodontist is also concerned about jaw alignment. Overbites and underbites can often be treated non-invasively. However, in severe cases, oral surgery is necessary to change the position of the jaw. Whether or not you will need oral surgery as part of your orthodontic treatment is something to discuss during your initial consultation.

How do I prepare for oral surgery?
At James E Sullivan DDS, we will do whatever we can to keep you comfortable during your procedure, and part of that is helping you to be prepared. We believe in patient education and will go over the procedure with you step by step. Since each patient and surgery is unique, our overview here is more generic in nature, and Dr. James Sullivan will want to take time with you individually. Typically, however, you will want to avoid eating food for a few hours (possibly starting the night before). This is standard protocol when receiving anesthesia. We also recommend that you purchase some ice packs and place them in the freezer. You should plan ahead and buy soft foods, plenty of water, and anything you need to relax and stay comfortable, which should certainly include ibuprofen.

Can you provide me with oral surgery if I am currently being treated by another dentist?
Yes, we can. When you visit our Fort Washington dental office, let us know if you are being treated by a dentist and if they mentioned you needing oral surgery. Not everyone performs surgery, so if you want to remain in their care after the procedure has been completed, you certainly can. Otherwise, we welcome you as a new patient to our practice.

What is the recovery like from oral surgery?
This really depends on the type of surgery being performed. As a general rule, you can expect there to be some level of bleeding that is temporary and can be controlled with the gauze that we give you. You can also expect there to be swelling. This is where most of the discomfort comes from. To control it, you will want to place an icepack on your face for 15 minutes at a time, rest for 15 minutes and then use it again. Just be careful not to irritate your skin, and use a light cloth if you need to. Simultaneously, you should use ibuprofen to keep the swelling and discomfort at minimum. The ice is typically only used for a day or two where the ibuprofen may be needed for a week or so. At James E Sullivan DDS, we may also give you antibiotics to take in order to prevent an infection. When it comes to food, you will want to stick with things that are soft and either do not require chewing (like soup) or can be chewed very easily (like steamed vegetables). Buying these items ahead of time will make your recovery easier. Just remember to take it easy and not to push yourself. It is best to follow Dr. James Sullivan instructions than to risk irritating your surgical site.

To find out if you need oral surgery or to discuss a surgical procedure in greater detail, call (301) 248-8080 and schedule a consultation. We will be happy to answer any questions you have and set you on the road to surgery and a full recovery. Our offices are conveniently located in Fort Washington, MD, and we are currently accepting new patients.

If you live in Fort Washington, Maryland call 301-248-8080 and schedule your appointment to experience why patients trust James E Sullivan DDS with all of their Oral Surgery needs.

Helpful Related Links

• American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Terms. 2015
• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2015
• WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2015

About our business, license, and website security

• James E Sullivan DDS was established in 1989
• We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
• We serve patients from the following counties: Prince George’s County & Montgomery County
• We serve patients from the following cities: Fort Washington, Silver Spring, Oxon Hill, Alexandria, Friendly, Waldorf, Accokeek, Andrews Field


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