Finding an Oral Surgeon Near Bridgewater, Somerville and Branchburg
Most people are not casually browsing oral surgeons on a Saturday afternoon.
The search usually begins because a dentist recommends a specialist, a teenager needs wisdom teeth evaluated or a patient is dealing with a tooth that cannot be treated through routine dental care.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete advanced surgical and anesthesia training after dental school. They diagnose and treat conditions involving the teeth, mouth, jaws and surrounding facial structures.
Depending on the practice and the patient’s needs, oral surgery services may include:
• Wisdom teeth removal
• Dental implant placement
• Surgical tooth extractions
• Bone grafting
• Treatment of impacted teeth
• Oral biopsies
• Treatment of dental infections
• Corrective jaw procedures
• Facial trauma care
• IV sedation or general anesthesia
Residents of Bridgewater, Martinsville, Somerville, Branchburg, Hillsborough, Raritan and Whitehouse Station have several oral surgery practices within a reasonable drive.
This guide provides an overview of five practices serving the area. The practices are not ranked. Patients should consider their diagnosis, insurance, location, surgeon credentials and the specific procedure being recommended before selecting a provider.
Somerset Oral Surgery
Somerville, NJ
Somerset Oral Surgery has served the Somerville area for more than 50 years and operates offices in Somerville and Lebanon.
The current surgical team includes Alan Hecht, DMD; Maya Ramachandran, DMD; and Tyler Jacobs, DDS, MD. The practice provides oral and maxillofacial surgery care for patients from Somerville, Bridgewater, Martinsville, Hillsborough and other Central Jersey communities.
Services include:
• Wisdom teeth removal
• Dental implants
• Surgical tooth extractions
• Bone grafting
• Full-arch dental implant treatment
• Treatment of impacted teeth
• Oral pathology services
• Sedation and anesthesia options
The practice uses 3D imaging to evaluate oral health conditions and help develop surgical treatment plans.
Its Somerville office is located at 50 Division St., Suite 301. The location is convenient for patients traveling from Bridgewater, Martinsville, Raritan and surrounding Somerset County communities.
New Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery
Branchburg, NJ
New Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery operates offices in Branchburg and Berkeley Heights.
The practice is led by Karl Maloney, DDS, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Its Branchburg office serves patients from Bridgewater, Somerville, Branchburg, Raritan, Hillsborough, Readington and other nearby communities.
Services include:
• Dental implant placement
• Wisdom teeth removal
• Bone grafting
• Treatment of impacted canine teeth
• Oral pathology evaluations
• Facial trauma treatment
• 3D imaging
• Anesthesia and sedation
The Branchburg office is located at 3322 Route 22, Suites 1207-1208.
Its location along Route 22 makes it accessible for patients traveling from Bridgewater, Raritan, Somerville, Whitehouse Station and western Somerset County.
Learn more about New Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery.
Aesthetic Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Somerville, NJ
Aesthetic Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is located on East Main Street in Somerville.
The practice is led by Thomas A. Chiodo, DDS, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Dr. Chiodo completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and has practiced oral surgery in Somerville since 2007.
The practice provides services including:
• Dental implants
• Wisdom teeth removal
• Tooth extractions
• Treatment of impacted teeth
• Oral biopsies
• Removal of oral cysts
• Apicoectomy procedures
• Treatment of certain jaw and facial conditions
• General anesthesia for appropriate procedures
The office uses CT imaging to evaluate dental and facial structures before certain procedures.
Aesthetic Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is located at 348 E. Main St. in Somerville. Its location is convenient for patients from Bridgewater, Raritan, Martinsville and nearby communities.
Hillsborough Oral Surgery
Hillsborough, NJ
Hillsborough Oral Surgery is an oral and maxillofacial surgery practice located in Hillsborough.
The practice is owned by Krystin Bandola, DMD, MD, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who completed dental school at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, medical school at the University of Connecticut and oral and maxillofacial surgery residency training at the University of Connecticut Health Center.
Services include:
• Tooth extractions
• Wisdom teeth removal
• Dental implant placement
• Treatment of impacted teeth
• Exposure of teeth for orthodontic treatment
• Oral biopsies
• Treatment of dental infections
• Sedation for patients undergoing appropriate procedures
The practice is located at 202 Towne Centre Drive in Hillsborough.
Its location provides a nearby option for Hillsborough residents and patients traveling from southern Bridgewater, Somerville, Manville and surrounding communities.
Riverside Oral Surgery
Warren, NJ
Riverside Oral Surgery operates a Warren office on Mountain Boulevard Extension.
The group includes multiple board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons and provides a broad range of oral surgery services.
Services include:
• Dental implants
• Wisdom teeth removal
• Tooth extractions
• Bone grafting
• Treatment of impacted teeth
• Oral pathology evaluations
• Corrective jaw surgery
• Facial trauma care
• Anesthesia and sedation
Riverside’s surgical team includes Nitish Gangoli, DMD, MS, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon whose training includes dentoalveolar surgery, dental implants, bone grafting, anesthesia, facial trauma and head and neck pathology.
The Warren office is located at 65 Mountain Blvd. Extension, Suite 106.
Although the practice is north of the primary Bridgewater market, its Warren location is still accessible for many patients traveling from Bridgewater, Martinsville, Green Brook and eastern Somerset County.
WHAT DOES AN ORAL SURGEON DO?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon treats conditions that require surgical care involving the teeth, mouth, jaws and surrounding facial structures.
A general dentist may refer a patient to an oral surgeon when the recommended procedure requires advanced surgical or anesthesia training.
Common reasons for an oral surgery referral include:
• Impacted wisdom teeth
• A tooth that cannot be removed through a routine extraction
• Dental implant placement
• Bone loss in the jaw
• An impacted canine tooth
• A dental or facial infection
• A suspicious growth, lesion or cyst
• Facial or jaw trauma
• A jaw alignment condition
• The need for IV sedation or general anesthesia
Not every patient who meets with an oral surgeon will require surgery.
The consultation allows the surgeon to review symptoms, medical history and diagnostic imaging before recommending a treatment plan.
HOW TO CHOOSE AN ORAL SURGEON
Review the surgeon’s training
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete several years of advanced hospital-based surgical training after dental school.
Some surgeons also earn a medical degree as part of their training. Board certification provides another indication that a surgeon has completed additional examinations and professional requirements.
Patients can ask about the surgeon’s education, residency training, board certification and experience with the specific procedure being considered.
Ask how often the surgeon performs the procedure
Oral surgeons may provide a broad range of services, but experience with a specific procedure still matters.
A patient considering a single dental implant may have different needs than someone requiring extensive bone grafting, corrective jaw surgery or full-mouth dental implant treatment.
Patients should ask how frequently the surgeon performs the recommended procedure and whether there are alternative treatment options.
Understand anesthesia and sedation options
Some procedures can be completed with local anesthesia. Others may involve nitrous oxide, oral medication, IV sedation or general anesthesia.
Patients should understand:
• Which form of anesthesia is being recommended
• Who will administer the anesthesia
• How the patient will be monitored
• Whether a responsible adult must provide transportation
• What eating or medication restrictions apply before surgery
Patients should provide the surgeon with a complete medical history and medication list before receiving sedation or anesthesia.
Ask about coordination with the dentist
Dental implant treatment often involves more than one provider.
The oral surgeon may place the implant while a general dentist or prosthodontist designs and places the final crown, bridge or denture.
Patients should understand which provider is responsible for each stage and how the offices will coordinate treatment.
Review the recovery process
Recovery varies based on the procedure, the patient’s overall health and the complexity of the surgery.
Before scheduling, patients should ask about:
• Expected recovery time
• Pain and swelling management
• Activity restrictions
• Dietary restrictions
• Follow-up appointments
• Signs of a potential complication
• Who to contact after normal office hours
Consider location and convenience
Oral surgery may require an initial consultation, a separate procedure and one or more follow-up visits.
Choosing a practice that is reasonably close to home can make treatment easier, especially when a patient cannot drive after receiving sedation.
Patients in Bridgewater, Martinsville, Somerville, Branchburg, Hillsborough, Raritan and Whitehouse Station have several nearby and regional options to consider.
COMMON ORAL SURGERY PROCEDURES
Wisdom teeth removal
Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to develop. They may become impacted, grow at an angle or create problems for nearby teeth and gums.
An oral surgeon can use dental imaging to evaluate their position and determine whether monitoring or removal is appropriate.
Dental implants
A dental implant is a small post placed into the jawbone to support a replacement tooth or another dental restoration.
Before recommending an implant, the surgeon evaluates the available bone, surrounding anatomy and the patient’s medical and dental history.
Bone grafting
Bone grafting may be recommended when the jaw does not have enough bone to support a dental implant or another procedure.
The type of graft and healing timeline depend on the location and amount of bone needed.
Surgical tooth extraction
Some teeth cannot be removed through a straightforward dental extraction.
A tooth may be broken beneath the gumline, severely decayed, impacted or positioned close to nerves and other important structures. These situations may require a surgical approach.
Treatment of impacted canine teeth
Canine teeth sometimes remain trapped beneath the gum or bone.
An oral surgeon may work with an orthodontist to expose the tooth and attach a device that helps guide it into the correct position.
Oral biopsy
An oral surgeon may evaluate or remove an unusual lesion, growth, cyst or area of tissue.
The tissue may then be sent to a laboratory for further examination.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ORAL SURGERY
What is the difference between a dentist and an oral surgeon?
A general dentist provides preventive, restorative and routine dental care.
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon completes additional hospital-based surgical and anesthesia training and treats more complex conditions involving the teeth, mouth, jaws and facial structures.
Do I need a referral to see an oral surgeon?
Many patients are referred by a general dentist, orthodontist, physician or another health care provider.
Some oral surgery practices also allow patients to request a consultation directly.
Insurance plans may have different referral requirements, so patients should confirm coverage before scheduling.
Which specialist removes wisdom teeth?
General dentists may remove uncomplicated wisdom teeth.
Impacted, partially erupted or complicated wisdom teeth are often evaluated and removed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Does everyone need their wisdom teeth removed?
No.
An oral surgeon may recommend removal when wisdom teeth are impacted, painful, infected, damaging nearby teeth or likely to create future problems.
Other patients may only need periodic monitoring.
Can an oral surgeon place dental implants?
Yes.
Dental implant placement is a common oral surgery procedure. The surgeon evaluates the jawbone and nearby anatomy before determining whether an implant can be placed and whether bone grafting is needed.
What is the difference between an oral surgeon and a periodontist?
Both specialists may place dental implants.
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon receives advanced training in surgery involving the teeth, jaws, mouth and facial structures.
A periodontist specializes in the gums and supporting structures around the teeth.
The appropriate specialist depends on the diagnosis and proposed treatment.
Can I be sedated during oral surgery?
Many oral surgery practices offer different forms of anesthesia or sedation.
The appropriate option depends on the procedure, the patient’s health history and the surgeon’s recommendation.
Patients should discuss medications, medical conditions and previous anesthesia experiences before treatment.
What should I bring to an oral surgery consultation?
Patients should bring:
• Identification
• Insurance information
• A current medication list
• Relevant dental records or imaging
• Referral paperwork, when applicable
• Information about allergies and medical conditions
The office may request additional forms before the appointment.
Does surgery happen during the first appointment?
Not always.
The first appointment is often a consultation used to review imaging, discuss the diagnosis and explain treatment options.
Some straightforward procedures may be completed during the first visit. More complicated cases are usually scheduled separately.
How long does recovery take after oral surgery?
Recovery depends on the type and complexity of the procedure.
Patients should follow the surgeon’s instructions regarding medication, diet, activity, oral hygiene and follow-up care.
WHEN TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
Patients should contact a dentist or oral surgeon when they experience persistent dental pain, swelling, difficulty opening the mouth, symptoms involving an impacted tooth or another condition that may require surgical treatment.
A consultation does not commit the patient to a procedure.
It creates an opportunity to understand the diagnosis, review the available options and ask questions about recovery, anesthesia, cost and follow-up care.
Residents searching for an oral surgeon near Bridgewater, Somerville, Branchburg, Hillsborough, Martinsville, Raritan or Whitehouse Station have several qualified practices within the surrounding Somerset County area.
This article is intended for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical or dental advice. Patients should consult a qualified health care provider regarding their individual diagnosis and treatment.