Oral Surgery in Colonia, NJ

Oral surgery covers a broad range of procedures — from straightforward tooth extractions to complex bone grafting, sinus augmentation, and full-arch implant placement. At Colonia Dental Associates, our general dentists perform most oral surgical procedures in-house, including those that many practices refer out. Dr. Ashlee N. Apratim, D.M.D., and Dr. Gurjinder Singh, D.M.D., are both Associate Fellows of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and have each completed the Rutgers University AAID MaxiCourse, a rigorous post-graduate curriculum in implant surgery and related oral surgical procedures. Patients in Colonia, NJ who need oral surgical care can receive it from familiar providers without being sent to a specialist they’ve never met.

Oral Surgical Procedures We Perform

The scope of oral surgery extends well beyond tooth removal. Our Colonia practice performs the following procedures:

Tooth Extractions

Simple tooth extractions involve removing a fully erupted tooth with a straightforward procedure under local anesthesia. Surgical extractions are used when a tooth is broken below the gumline, has curved roots, or requires bone removal to access. Most patients return to normal activities within 24 to 48 hours. We always review tooth replacement options — including dental implants — at the time of extraction to prevent the bone loss that begins within months of a missing tooth.

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Impacted wisdom teeth that cannot fully erupt are one of the most common sources of dental pain in adults between 17 and 25. Impaction causes pressure against adjacent molars, increasing the risk of decay, infection, and damage to surrounding bone. We evaluate each case individually with digital imaging to determine whether removal is indicated and, if so, the degree of surgical complexity involved. Complex impactions involving proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve are referred to trusted oral surgery specialists.

Dental Implant Placement

Placing a dental implant is an oral surgical procedure. The titanium post is inserted into the jawbone through a precisely planned surgical approach using digital imaging and, in many cases, a surgical guide. Dr. Apratim and Dr. Singh have each performed hundreds of implant surgeries, from single-tooth replacements to the multi-implant placements required for All-on-X full-arch restorations.

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting rebuilds the jawbone in areas where resorption has occurred after tooth loss. A graft material — derived from bovine, synthetic, or patient donor sources depending on the application — is placed at the extraction site or in a deficient area of the jaw. Over 3 to 6 months, the patient’s bone grows into the graft, restoring the volume needed to anchor an implant securely. Bone grafting is often performed at the time of extraction to preserve the socket before it collapses.

Sinus Augmentation (Sinus Lift)

The maxillary sinuses sit directly above the upper back teeth. When those teeth are lost, the sinus floor can drop toward the jaw, leaving insufficient bone for implant placement. A sinus lift procedure elevates the sinus floor and places graft material beneath it, creating a bone platform for implants. This allows patients who were previously told they lack enough upper jaw bone to qualify for implants in that area.

Gum Grafting

Gum recession exposes root surfaces, increases sensitivity, and compromises the attachment that keeps teeth stable. Soft tissue grafting uses donor tissue — from the patient’s palate or a tissue bank — to cover exposed roots and restore the gumline to a healthy position. This procedure also stabilizes the tissue around existing implants that may be at risk from thin gum tissue.

Before Your Oral Surgery Procedure

Preparation guidelines vary by procedure and the type of anesthesia or sedation used. Patients receiving IV sedation or general anesthesia must fast for at least 8 hours before surgery and arrange for a driver. Local anesthesia cases generally require no fasting. We review all pre-operative instructions at your consultation and provide written instructions to take home. Any medications you take regularly — particularly blood thinners, diabetes medications, or bisphosphonates — should be disclosed at your evaluation, as some may require adjustment before surgery.

Recovery After Oral Surgery

Recovery timelines differ by procedure. Simple extractions resolve within 3 to 7 days. Implant surgery recovery is typically 2 to 4 days of rest before returning to desk work, with full osseointegration taking 3 to 6 months. Bone grafting and sinus lift procedures require 3 to 6 months of healing before the site is ready for implant placement.

Standard post-operative instructions include eating soft foods, avoiding straws (which can dislodge clots), keeping the surgical site clean, and following the prescribed medication schedule. For detailed dietary guidance, see our resource on what foods to avoid after oral surgery. Contact our office immediately if you experience increasing pain after 3 to 4 days, visible pus, fever, or swelling that worsens rather than improves — these may indicate infection or dry socket, both of which require prompt evaluation.

Oral Surgery Patients We Serve

Colonia Dental Associates provides oral surgical care for patients from Colonia, Woodbridge, Avenel, Carteret, Clark, Edison, Iselin, Rahway, Fords, Metuchen, and the broader Middlesex and Union County area. Whether you need a straightforward extraction or a complex preparatory procedure before implant placement, contact our team to schedule a consultation and learn which approach is right for your situation.