Oral Surgery Near Gainesville, FL

In-House Oral Surgery, No Referral Required

Most general dental practices refer surgical cases out. An extraction gets complicated, or an impacted tooth needs to be exposed, and the patient is sent to an oral surgeon across town, sometimes across the county. They’re scheduling with a provider they’ve never met, coordinating between two offices, and paying two sets of fees.

At Radiant Dentistry, Dr. Williams (FICOI) handles oral surgical procedures in-house. His fellowship credential covers surgical implant placement, bone grafting, and complex oral surgical work that most general dentists refer away. Patients in Newberry and the Gainesville area get the surgical care they need without leaving the practice they trust.

Oral Surgery Procedures at Radiant Dentistry

Tooth Extractions

Simple extractions involve teeth that are fully erupted, visible above the gumline, and can be removed with forceps under local anesthetic. Surgical extractions involve teeth that are broken below the gumline, impacted, or positioned in a way that requires incision into the gum tissue to access. Both are performed at Radiant Dentistry.

Common reasons for extraction include severe decay that can’t be restored, advanced gum disease that has compromised a tooth beyond saving, a cracked tooth that can’t be repaired, and preparation for orthodontic treatment or full-mouth rehabilitation. When a tooth is extracted with an implant as the replacement plan, bone grafting at the time of extraction preserves the socket for future implant placement.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Third molars, commonly called wisdom teeth, are the most frequently extracted teeth in the US. They’re removed when they’re impacted (unable to fully erupt), growing at an angle that puts adjacent teeth at risk, causing pain or infection, or when there simply isn’t enough space in the arch to accommodate them.

Wisdom tooth removal ranges from straightforward (erupted teeth removed like any other extraction) to complex (fully impacted teeth requiring surgical access). Dr. Williams evaluates wisdom tooth position with a 3D CT scan or panoramic X-ray and performs the removal in-office with local anesthetic and oral conscious sedation available. See the dedicated wisdom teeth removal page for more detail.

Surgical Implant Placement

Placing dental implants is an oral surgical procedure. A titanium post is placed into the jawbone under local anesthetic, requiring precise positioning informed by 3D CT scan planning. Dr. Williams (FICOI) places and restores implants in-house, handling both the surgical and restorative phases at Radiant Dentistry. This is the core of his fellowship credential and a primary reason patients travel from across Alachua and Gilchrist Counties to this practice.

See the dental implants page for the full implant process, or All-on-4 for full-arch rehabilitation.

Bone Grafting

Socket preservation, ridge augmentation, and sinus lifts are surgical procedures that prepare the jawbone for implant placement or restore bone lost to gum disease or tooth loss. These are performed in-house by Dr. Williams rather than referred to a periodontist or oral surgeon. See the bone grafting page for full detail on when grafting is needed, what materials are used, and what the healing timeline looks like.

Exposure of Impacted Teeth

When a tooth, often a canine, fails to erupt and remains impacted beneath the gumline, an oral surgical procedure exposes it so an orthodontist can guide it into position. Dr. Williams makes the incision to uncover the tooth and attaches an orthodontic bracket, which the orthodontist then uses to apply traction. This collaborative procedure is common in adolescent patients with impacted canines.

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that removes gum tissue, bone, or both to expose more of a tooth’s structure. It’s done for two reasons: restorative (a tooth is too short to support a crown or has decay or a fracture below the gumline, and more tooth structure needs to be exposed before the crown can be placed) or cosmetic (a gummy smile where too much gum is visible when smiling). Both types are performed at Radiant Dentistry.

Frenectomy

A frenum is the small band of tissue that connects the lip or tongue to the gum or floor of the mouth. When a frenum is too thick, too short, or attached too far down, it can restrict tongue movement (tongue-tie), create a gap between front teeth, or contribute to gum recession at a specific tooth. A frenectomy releases or removes the frenum. The procedure is short, typically done under local anesthetic, and heals quickly.

Sedation for Surgical Procedures

Oral conscious sedation is available for all surgical procedures at Radiant Dentistry. Patients who feel anxious about surgery, or who simply prefer to have minimal memory of the procedure, take a prescribed oral medication approximately one hour before the appointment. Combined with local anesthetic, oral sedation makes surgical appointments significantly more comfortable for the large majority of patients who use it.

A driver is required when sedation is used. See the oral sedation page for full details.

What to Expect After Oral Surgery

Recovery varies by procedure. A simple extraction typically resolves within a few days. Surgical extractions, implant placement, and bone grafting involve more tissue disruption and a longer healing window.

Post-operative instructions are provided in writing at discharge. The most important points for most procedures:

• Bite on gauze as instructed to control initial bleeding
• Avoid hot liquids, straws, and smoking for at least 24 hours (suction disrupts clot formation)
• Eat soft foods and avoid chewing on the surgical site
• Take prescribed medications as directed
• Keep the area clean as instructed, usually beginning gentle rinsing the day after surgery

Dr. Williams’ office is reachable by phone during business hours if questions come up during recovery. Call 352-354-3601 for post-operative concerns.

FAQ: Oral Surgery