Some dental problems go beyond what a filling or crown can fix. Impacted wisdom teeth, teeth broken below the gumline, and bone grafting for future implants all require oral surgery. At Bite Club in Bucktown, Dr. Nga Huynh performs a range of in-house oral surgery procedures so you can get the care you need without a referral to an outside specialist.
Having surgery done by the same dentist who handles the rest of your care means better coordination, fewer offices to visit, and a team that already knows your history.
Surgical tooth extractions. When a tooth can’t be removed with a simple extraction (because it’s impacted, broken at the gumline, or has curved roots), a surgical approach is needed. Dr. Huynh makes a small incision in the gum tissue to access the tooth, removes it carefully, and closes the site with sutures that dissolve on their own.
Wisdom tooth removal. Wisdom teeth that are impacted, partially erupted, or growing at an angle can cause pain, infection, damage to neighboring teeth, and cyst formation. Removing them before these problems develop is often the best course of action. Most wisdom tooth extractions are completed in one visit under local anesthesia.
Bone grafting. When a tooth has been missing for a while, the jawbone in that area begins to deteriorate. If you’re planning to get a dental implant, the bone may need to be built up first to support the implant post. Bone grafting places biocompatible graft material into the deficient area, and over several months, your body incorporates it and generates new bone.
Soft tissue procedures. Gum tissue issues, whether from periodontal disease, recession, or excess tissue covering a tooth, sometimes require minor surgical correction. These procedures improve both the health and appearance of your gum tissue.
Before any procedure, Dr. Huynh reviews your medical history, discusses anesthesia options, and walks you through every step of what will happen. Digital imaging gives her a clear view of the surgical site so the procedure can be planned precisely.
Most oral surgery at Bite Club is performed under local anesthesia. Nitrous oxide or oral sedation is available for patients who experience anxiety about surgical procedures. We’ll recommend the best approach for your comfort level.
After surgery, you’ll receive detailed written aftercare instructions covering pain management, swelling, diet, activity restrictions, and what to watch for. Most patients manage recovery with over-the-counter pain medication, ice packs, and soft foods for a few days. Swelling typically peaks 48 to 72 hours after the procedure and then improves steadily.
We schedule follow-up appointments to check healing, remove any non-dissolving sutures, and plan next steps if the surgery is part of a larger treatment plan (like implant placement after extraction and grafting).
Don’t wait on symptoms that suggest you may need oral surgery. Persistent jaw pain, swelling around a partially erupted wisdom tooth, a tooth that has broken off at the gumline, or a dentist who has told you a tooth needs to come out are all reasons to schedule a consultation.
The sooner a problem is addressed, the simpler the procedure tends to be. Impacted wisdom teeth, for example, are generally easier to remove in younger patients before the roots are fully developed and the bone is denser.
Contact Bite Club or call (312) 602-0036 to schedule an oral surgery consultation at our Bucktown office.
Routine general dentistry catches most problems before they require surgery. Surgical work is what we do when restorative options have run out.
Composite fillings are the non-surgical answer for most cavities. When a tooth can be saved with a filling, we fill it. When it can’t, surgery enters the conversation.
Crowns and bridges are the restorative work that often follows surgical procedures: the crown that goes on an implant, the bridge that fills a span left by extractions.
Some cosmetic plans involve surgical steps, like extracting a hopeless tooth before placing a veneer or implant in its place. We sequence the work so the cosmetic result lands cleanly.
Procedures that go beyond drills and fillings: extractions, wisdom teeth, implant placement, bone grafting, and pre-prosthetic surgery for dentures. The current page covers the full breakdown.
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TMJ issues can complicate surgical recovery. We assess and stabilize the bite before any extensive surgical work where that matters.
The non-surgical alternative to extraction. When a root canal can save the tooth, we do it. When it can’t, surgical removal and replacement is the path.
Severely crowded cases sometimes require extractions to make room. Invisalign treatment proceeds after the surgical step when this happens.
The procedure itself is performed under anesthesia, so you won't feel pain during surgery. Post-operative discomfort varies by procedure but is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain medication for a few days. We provide detailed aftercare instructions to keep you comfortable during recovery.
Recovery depends on the procedure. Simple surgical extractions may have you back to normal in 3 to 5 days. Wisdom tooth removal typically takes about a week. Bone grafting sites need several months to fully mature before an implant can be placed, though daily discomfort resolves within a week.
Most oral surgery at Bite Club is performed under local anesthesia (numbing the area). You're awake but feel no pain. Nitrous oxide or oral sedation can be added for patients with anxiety. General anesthesia (being fully unconscious) is not performed at our office. If your case requires general anesthesia, we'll refer you to an oral surgeon.
Most PPO dental plans cover medically necessary oral surgery, including surgical extractions and wisdom tooth removal. Coverage for bone grafting depends on your plan. We verify your benefits before your procedure and provide a cost estimate so there are no surprises.
In some cases, yes. Immediate implant placement (placing the implant at the same time as extraction) is possible when there's adequate bone and no active infection. Dr. Huynh will evaluate whether immediate placement or a staged approach is better for your situation.