Oral Surgery

Comfortable, Personalized Oral Surgery in Margate and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL

When a tooth is severely damaged, infected, fractured, impacted, or no longer capable of supporting a healthy smile, oral surgery may be the most predictable way to relieve discomfort and protect your long-term oral health.

At Arguello Dentistry, we provide carefully planned oral surgery services for patients in Margate, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, and surrounding South Florida communities. Our goal is to make treatment understandable, comfortable, and as conservative as possible.

Every recommendation begins with a thorough examination. We evaluate your symptoms, medical history, dental imaging, and available treatment alternatives before recommending surgery. When a tooth can be predictably saved, we will discuss those options. When removal or another surgical procedure is the healthier choice, we will explain why and help you understand what to expect.

What Is Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery includes surgical procedures involving the teeth, gums, jawbone, and surrounding tissues of the mouth. In a general dental office, oral surgery commonly includes procedures such as tooth extractions, surgical extractions, removal of certain wisdom teeth, bone preservation, and preparation for future tooth replacement.

A tooth extraction means removing a tooth from its socket. Teeth may require removal because of advanced decay, infection, trauma, crowding, severe periodontal damage, or an inability to be predictably restored. Before an extraction, the treatment area is numbed to reduce discomfort.

Not every patient needs the same procedure. Your treatment plan will depend on the tooth’s condition, root shape, position, surrounding bone, nearby anatomical structures, and your overall health.

Oral Surgery Services We Offer

Tooth Extractions

A tooth may need to be removed when it is too damaged to be restored successfully. Common reasons include:

• Severe tooth decay
• A cracked or fractured tooth
• Advanced gum disease and bone loss
• Persistent infection or dental abscess
• Extensive structural damage beneath an existing crown or filling
• A retained baby tooth
• Orthodontic crowding
• A tooth that cannot support a predictable restoration

Our first priority is to determine whether the tooth can be saved. Extraction is recommended only when it offers a more predictable outcome than keeping the tooth.

Surgical Extractions

Some teeth cannot be removed with a routine extraction. A surgical extraction may be necessary when:

• The tooth has broken at or below the gumline
• Very little tooth structure remains above the gums
• The roots are curved, separated, or difficult to access
• The tooth is partially or completely covered by gum or bone
• A previous restoration makes removal more complicated

During a surgical extraction, the dentist may create controlled access to the tooth, divide it into smaller sections, or carefully adjust the surrounding bone to remove it while minimizing unnecessary trauma.

Wisdom Tooth Evaluation and Removal

Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last permanent teeth to develop. They do not always require removal. However, problems can occur when there is insufficient room for them to erupt normally or when they develop in an unfavorable position.

A wisdom tooth evaluation may be appropriate if you experience:

• Pain or pressure in the back of the mouth
• Swelling around a partially erupted tooth
• Recurrent gum infections
• Difficulty keeping the area clean
• Food becoming trapped behind the second molars
• Decay involving the wisdom tooth or neighboring tooth
• An unpleasant taste or persistent bad breath
• Jaw stiffness or tenderness

We use a clinical examination and appropriate dental imaging to evaluate the position of the teeth and determine whether removal, monitoring, or referral to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is most appropriate.

Removal of Broken or Non-Restorable Teeth

A tooth may become non-restorable when decay or fracture extends too far below the gumline, when insufficient healthy structure remains, or when the surrounding bone and gum support have been severely compromised.

We will explain why the tooth cannot be predictably repaired and review replacement options whenever appropriate. Depending on the situation, those options may include:

• A dental implant
• A fixed dental bridge
• A removable partial denture
• A complete denture
• Monitoring the space when replacement is not necessary

Bone Grafting and Socket Preservation

After a tooth is removed, the surrounding bone naturally begins to remodel. A bone graft or socket-preservation procedure may be recommended to help maintain the shape and volume of the extraction site, particularly when a dental implant may be considered later.

Bone grafting is not automatically necessary after every extraction. The recommendation depends on the location of the tooth, existing bone anatomy, infection, periodontal damage, cosmetic concerns, and your future restorative plan. Bone grafting may be used to preserve or reconstruct normal bony architecture and support implant-related treatment.

Implant-Related Surgical Planning

Dental implants can replace missing teeth by supporting a crown, bridge, or full-arch restoration. Implant treatment requires careful evaluation of the available bone, gum tissue, bite, medical history, and location of nearby structures.

For appropriate cases, digital imaging and guided surgical planning may be used to improve the restorative and surgical workflow. More complex implant procedures may be coordinated with or referred to an oral surgeon or another dental specialist.

When Should You See a Dentist for a Possible Extraction?

Schedule an evaluation when you have:

• Severe or persistent tooth pain
• Pain when biting or chewing
• Facial or gum swelling
• A broken tooth near the gumline
• A loose adult tooth
• Pus, drainage, or a bad taste
• Fever associated with dental pain
• Difficulty opening your mouth
• A tooth that has repeatedly required treatment
• Pain around a wisdom tooth
• A dental infection that has not improved

A painful tooth does not automatically need to be removed. Some teeth can be treated with a filling, crown, root canal, periodontal therapy, or another restorative procedure. An examination is necessary to determine which option has the best prognosis.

Facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, or rapidly worsening symptoms may indicate a potentially serious infection and require urgent evaluation.

What to Expect During Your Oral Surgery Consultation

1. Comprehensive Evaluation

We begin by discussing your symptoms, health history, medications, allergies, previous dental experiences, and treatment concerns.

Please tell us about:

• Blood-thinning medications
• Osteoporosis medications
• Diabetes
• Heart conditions
• Artificial joints or heart valves
• Pregnancy
• Immune-system conditions
• Previous reactions to anesthesia
• Tobacco or nicotine use

Do not discontinue a prescribed medication unless the prescribing healthcare professional and your dentist have instructed you to do so.

2. Digital Imaging

Dental X-rays help us assess the tooth roots, surrounding bone, infection, neighboring teeth, and other important structures. More advanced imaging may be recommended for implant planning, impacted teeth, unusual root anatomy, or complex cases.

3. Review of Treatment Options

We will explain:

• What we found
• Whether the tooth can be saved
• Why surgery may be recommended
• The expected benefits and limitations
• Relevant risks
• Replacement options
• Estimated healing process
• Whether referral to a specialist is appropriate

4. Personalized Comfort Plan

Local anesthesia is used to numb the treatment area. Additional comfort options depend on the procedure, your health history, and the services available at the selected location.

5. Written Aftercare Instructions

You will receive instructions explaining how to protect the surgical area, manage normal postoperative symptoms, maintain oral hygiene, and recognize signs that require attention.

Is Oral Surgery Painful?

The treatment area is thoroughly numbed before the procedure begins. You may feel pressure, movement, or vibration, but you should not feel sharp pain. Let us know immediately if you are uncomfortable so that we can reassess the anesthesia.

Mild bleeding, soreness, tenderness, and swelling can occur after an extraction. The ADA notes that a small amount of bleeding is normal in many cases and that a blood clot forms in the socket as part of healing.

Recovery varies according to:

• The complexity of the procedure
• The number and location of teeth removed
• Whether the tooth was impacted or infected
• Whether bone grafting was completed
• Your general health
• Tobacco or nicotine use
• How closely postoperative instructions are followed

Recovery After a Tooth Extraction

Your instructions will be tailored to your procedure, but common recommendations may include:

Protect the Blood Clot

The blood clot that forms in the extraction site is an important part of healing. Avoid disturbing the area by forceful rinsing, spitting, using straws, or touching the socket during the early healing period.

Control Bleeding

Bite firmly on the gauze provided according to your instructions. Light oozing can be normal shortly after surgery. Contact the office if bleeding remains heavy or does not improve with firm pressure.

Manage Swelling

Swelling may increase during the first part of recovery before gradually improving. Cold compresses may be recommended during the initial postoperative period.

Choose Appropriate Foods

Begin with cool or lukewarm soft foods and liquids. Avoid foods that are very hot, hard, sharp, sticky, or likely to become trapped in the surgical area.

Keep Your Mouth Clean

Continue cleaning the rest of your mouth carefully. Follow the specific instructions provided before brushing or rinsing near the surgical site.

Avoid Tobacco and Nicotine

Smoking, vaping, and other nicotine products can interfere with healing and increase the risk of postoperative complications.

Take Medication as Directed

Use prescribed or recommended medication only as instructed. Contact us before combining medications when you are uncertain about interactions or dosing.

When Should You Call After Oral Surgery?

Contact our office if you experience:

• Bleeding that remains heavy despite firm pressure
• Pain that becomes significantly worse after initially improving
• Swelling that continues to worsen
• Fever or chills
• Pus or foul-tasting drainage
• Persistent vomiting
• An allergic reaction to medication
• Numbness that lasts longer than expected
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Any symptom that concerns you

Difficulty breathing, rapidly expanding swelling, or severe difficulty swallowing requires emergency medical attention.

Why Choose Arguello Dentistry for Oral Surgery?

Treatment Based on Long-Term Prognosis

We do not recommend removing a tooth simply because it has a problem. We evaluate whether it can be restored predictably and explain the advantages and limitations of each option.

Coordinated Surgical and Restorative Planning

Removing a tooth is sometimes only the first step. We consider the final result from the beginning, including bone preservation and potential replacement with an implant, bridge, partial denture, or complete denture.

Clear Explanations

You deserve to know what is being recommended and why. We explain the diagnosis, procedure, expected recovery, alternatives, risks, and costs before treatment begins.

Care Close to Home

Arguello Dentistry serves patients from two convenient Broward County locations:

• Margate, Florida
• Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida

Our offices welcome patients from nearby communities, including Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Sea Ranch Lakes, and surrounding areas.

Appropriate Specialist Referrals

Some procedures are best managed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Oral and maxillofacial surgery includes complex treatment involving the teeth, jaws, facial structures, dental implants, and wisdom teeth.

When referral is the safest or most predictable choice, we will explain the reason and help coordinate your care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oral Surgery

What is the most common type of oral surgery performed by a dentist?

Tooth extraction is one of the most common oral surgical procedures performed in a dental office. It may be recommended for severe decay, infection, fractures, advanced gum disease, crowding, or a tooth that cannot be restored predictably.

Does every painful tooth need to be extracted?

No. Tooth pain may be caused by decay, a fracture, an inflamed nerve, gum disease, infection, bite trauma, or another condition. Some painful teeth can be saved with restorative treatment, root canal therapy, periodontal care, or bite adjustment. A dental examination and X-rays are needed to determine the cause.

How long does a tooth extraction take?

The procedure time varies. A fully erupted tooth with straightforward roots may be removed relatively quickly, while a broken, impacted, or unusually shaped tooth may require a longer surgical procedure. Your dentist can provide a more useful estimate after reviewing the tooth and X-rays.

Can I be put to sleep for an extraction?

Anesthesia and sedation options depend on the procedure, your medical history, the clinician providing treatment, and the services available at the office. Local anesthesia is commonly used to numb the area. Patients requiring deeper sedation may need treatment with an appropriately trained provider or oral surgeon.

Do wisdom teeth always need to be removed?

No. Wisdom teeth that are healthy, functional, cleanable, correctly positioned, and free from disease may be monitored. Removal may be recommended when they cause pain, infection, decay, gum problems, damage to a neighboring tooth, or other complications.

Will I need a bone graft after an extraction?

Not every extraction requires a bone graft. It may be recommended when preserving the ridge is important for a future implant, maintaining facial or gum contours, or rebuilding an area with significant bone loss.

Can a tooth be replaced immediately after it is removed?

Sometimes. Immediate implant placement or another temporary replacement may be possible in selected cases. The decision depends on infection, bone quality, gum tissue, implant stability, bite forces, medical factors, and the location of the tooth.

How long does it take to heal after an extraction?

Initial soft-tissue healing commonly occurs over the early weeks, while the bone continues to remodel for a longer period. Recovery time varies based on the complexity of the extraction, the patient’s health, and whether grafting or additional treatment was performed.

Can I return to work after oral surgery?

Many patients return to normal non-strenuous activities relatively soon after a straightforward extraction. More involved procedures may require additional recovery time. Avoid strenuous activity for the period recommended by your dentist because it can increase bleeding and discomfort.

What is dry socket?

Dry socket is a painful postoperative complication associated with disruption or loss of the protective blood clot in the extraction site. Following postoperative instructions—especially avoiding smoking, vaping, forceful rinsing, and straw use—can help reduce risk.

Should I replace an extracted tooth?

In many situations, replacing a missing tooth helps restore chewing, appearance, bite stability, and function. However, not every space must be replaced. We evaluate the tooth’s location, surrounding teeth, bite, bone, health, and your goals before recommending an implant, bridge, denture, or no replacement.

Do you accept emergency oral surgery appointments?

Patients experiencing significant dental pain, swelling, a broken tooth, or a suspected infection should contact the office as soon as possible. Appointment availability and whether treatment can be completed the same day depend on the examination, medical history, procedure complexity, and office schedule.

Schedule an Oral Surgery Consultation

Do not wait for a damaged or infected tooth to become a larger problem. An evaluation can determine whether the tooth can be saved or whether extraction is the healthier and more predictable solution.

Contact Arguello Dentistry to schedule an oral surgery consultation at our:

• Margate dental office
• Lauderdale-by-the-Sea dental office

Our team will evaluate your condition, explain your options, and help you move forward with a treatment plan designed around your health, comfort, and long-term smile.

Call today or request an appointment online.