Oral Surgery

Safe, Comfortable Surgical Treatments

We understand that undergoing oral surgery can be intimidating. Omaha and La Vista dentist Dr. Mark Pannenton and his team genuinely care about the health and happiness of each patient. That’s why we provide a comprehensive approach to all your oral surgery needs. 

No matter if it’s simple or complex, Dr. Panneton has the necessary experience to provide a safe, comfortable, and effective procedure that’ll have you smiling again in no time. Call our Omaha office at (402) 934-5200 or our La Vista office at (402) 537-4620 to get started!

What Is Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries, and defects that affect the teeth, gums, soft tissues, and other structures of the oral and maxillofacial areas. This includes a range of health conditions — from wisdom teeth removal to cleft lip and palate surgery. 

How Surgical Treatments Help

With extensive knowledge and experience in oral surgical procedures, Dr. Panneton can:

• Provide safe sedation methods including local anesthesia
• Extract wisdom, impacted, damaged, or decayed teeth
• Replace one or more teeth
• Perform corrective jaw surgery after trauma
• Remove oral cysts and tumors
• Repair facial structures afflicted by disease
• Relieve jaw pain
• Perform cosmetic surgery on the face, jaws, and neck

Recognizing Signs You Need Oral Surgery

Oral surgery may be necessary for various situations. Recognizing the signs can help you seek timely treatment. Look out for:

• Persistent Tooth Pain: Pain that doesn’t subside with over-the-counter pain relievers may indicate a deeper issue.
• Difficulty Chewing or Swallowing: If eating becomes increasingly difficult, it may be a sign of an underlying dental problem.
• Recurrent Jaw Pain: Chronic jaw pain, especially when accompanied by clicking or popping sounds, may require surgical intervention.
• Swelling or Abscesses: Infections or abscesses around the teeth or gums may necessitate surgical drainage or extraction.
• Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Pain, swelling, and difficulty in properly cleaning the back molars may indicate impacted wisdom teeth.
• Severe Gum Disease: Advanced periodontal disease might require surgical intervention to remove infected tissue and promote healing.

How We Use Oral Surgery at Panneton Dental Group

There are various dental issues that can be corrected through oral surgery treatment. 

Facial and Jaw Trauma

If you’ve suffered trauma due to a car accident, sports injury, or any other circumstance, damage to the facial bones or teeth should be treated immediately. Leaving it untreated can lead to loss of dental function, jaw and bite irregularities, as well as complications with chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing. 

Severely Impacted, Damaged, or Infected Teeth

Severely impacted, damaged, or infected teeth can pose significant risks to your overall oral health. In such cases, the most effective solution may be a tooth extraction treatment. By carefully removing the affected tooth, we can prevent the spread of infection to surrounding teeth, gums, and the rest of the body.

Periodontal Disease and Infection

Built-up plaque and bacteria embedded along and underneath the gums can lead to swelling and inflammation. In cases of advanced gum disease, we may need to remove infected soft tissue using specialized surgical techniques. 

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that typically erupt during the late teens or early twenties. In most cases, the mouth doesn’t have enough room for the wisdom teeth and can cause overcrowding, misalignment, problems with the bite, and severe pain. We’ll often extract these extra sets of molars to avoid infection and decay. 

Missing Teeth

Surgical implant placement consists of using new, artificial tooth roots that bring a strong and lasting foundation for your restoration. Dental implants are placed in the upper and lower jawbones, offering healthy stimulation that promotes natural bone growth. 

TMJ Disorders

Complications with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be painful and uncomfortable. It can also affect your oral health due to the impairment of your ability to chew, speak, and bite. TMJ is likely to cause aching when opening or closing the mouth, facial pain, and headaches. Panneton Dental Group offers oral appliances and surgery options for treating TMJ disorders.

Sleep Apnea

Most patients suffering from sleep apnea can be treated with a CPAP machine or custom oral appliances. For more advanced cases, we offer surgical procedures to get your health back on track and restore your sleepless nights. 

Preparation for Oral Surgery

Before your scheduled surgery, consider the following steps:

• Consultation: Attend a pre-surgery consultation to discuss the treatment, address concerns, and ask any questions.
• Fasting: Depending on the type of surgery, you may need to fast for a certain period before the procedure. Follow your surgeon’s instructions closely.
• Arrange Transportation: Arrange for someone to drive you to and from the surgery, as you may be unable to drive after the surgery due to sedation.
• Wear Comfortable Clothing: Opt for loose, comfortable clothing that can easily accommodate any bandages or dressings after surgery.
• Follow Pre-Op Instructions: Adhere to any specific guidelines provided by your surgeon, such as avoiding certain medications or using special mouthwashes.
• Inform About Medications: Let your surgeon know about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re currently taking.

The Surgical Procedure

When you undergo oral surgery at Dr. Panneton’s practice, you can expect a carefully orchestrated process designed to ensure your comfort and safety. Here’s an overview of what to anticipate:

Preparation and Anesthesia

Before the surgery begins, the surgical team will prepare you for the procedure. This may involve administering local anesthesia or sedation dentistry such as IV sedation, depending on the complexity of the surgery and your comfort level. Dr. Panneton will discuss and determine the most suitable option for your specific case during the pre-surgery consultation.

Incision and Access

Once you’re comfortably sedated, Dr. Panneton will make precise incisions as necessary. These incisions provide access to the targeted area, ensuring that the surgical process can be carried out with precision and care.

Tissue Removal or Repair

Depending on the nature of the surgery, Dr. Panneton may need to remove damaged or infected tissue, extract teeth, or perform other necessary procedures to address the specific issue. His extensive experience and expertise allow for efficient and effective treatment.

Closure and Sutures

After the necessary work is completed, Dr. Panneton will carefully close the incisions using sutures. These sutures aid in the healing process and often dissolve on their own over time, eliminating the need for their removal.

Monitoring and Recovery

You’ll be carefully monitored as you begin to wake up from the anesthesia. Our surgical team will ensure your comfort and well-being during this crucial post-operative period. Once you’re stable and alert, you’ll receive detailed post-operative instructions for your recovery period.

Post-Operative Care

Following the surgery, it’s crucial to follow the provided aftercare instructions diligently. This may include guidelines on pain management, dietary restrictions, and steps to take if you experience any unexpected complications.

Follow-Up Appointments

Dr. Panneton will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and ensure your recovery is proceeding as expected. These appointments are essential for evaluating the success of the surgery and addressing any concerns you may have.

Post-Operative Care Guidelines

After your oral surgery, following these guidelines will aid in a smooth and successful recovery:

• Rinse with Warm Salt Water: Gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water helps keep the surgical site clean and promotes healing. Do this multiple times a day, especially after meals.
• Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine, and Tobacco: Refrain from consuming alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco during the recovery period. These substances can hinder the healing process and may increase the risk of complications.
• Do Not Spit, Chew, or Suck on a Straw: These actions can put unnecessary pressure on the surgical site, potentially disrupting the healing process. Instead, allow your mouth to naturally rest and heal.
• Stay Hydrated: Adequate hydration is crucial for the healing process. Stick to water and other non-acidic, non-carbonated beverages. Avoid using straws for drinking, as mentioned earlier.
• Adhere to a Liquid-Based and Soft Foods Diet: Stick to a diet of soft, easy-to-chew foods in the initial days following surgery. This may include items like applesauce, yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, Jell-O, blended soups, and milkshakes.
• Take Medication as Prescribed: If your surgeon has prescribed medication for pain or to prevent infection, take it according to the provided instructions. Be sure to follow dosage recommendations and avoid skipping doses.