Finding an Oral Surgeon Near Flemington, Clinton and Lebanon
Most people are not researching oral surgeons until a dentist recommends one or a dental problem becomes difficult to ignore.
The search may begin because a teenager needs wisdom teeth evaluated, an adult is considering dental implants or a patient has a tooth that cannot be removed through a routine extraction.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete advanced hospital-based 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 diagnosis, 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 Flemington, Clinton, Lebanon, Whitehouse Station, Annandale, Tewksbury, Califon, High Bridge, Glen Gardner, Chester, Long Valley and Hackettstown have several oral surgery practices within a reasonable drive.
This guide provides an overview of six practices serving the North Hunterdon area. The practices are not ranked. Patients should consider their diagnosis, insurance coverage, location, surgeon credentials and the specific treatment being recommended before choosing a provider.
Somerset Oral Surgery
Lebanon, NJ
Somerset Oral Surgery has served Central Jersey communities for more than 50 years and operates offices in Lebanon and Somerville.
The current surgical team includes Alan Hecht, DMD; Maya Ramachandran, DMD; and Tyler Jacobs, DDS, MD.
Its Lebanon office is positioned along Route 31, making it accessible for patients traveling from Clinton, Annandale, Lebanon Township, High Bridge, Glen Gardner, Califon and surrounding North Hunterdon communities.
Services include:
• Wisdom teeth removal
• Dental implant placement
• 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 plan certain surgical procedures.
Somerset Oral Surgery’s Lebanon office is located at 1220 Route 31, Suite 11.
West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery
Flemington, NJ
West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery operates offices in Flemington and Princeton.
The surgical team includes Joseph Sansevere, DMD; Travis Reed, DMD; and Matthew Sansevere, DMD. The practice identifies all three doctors as board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
Services include:
• Dental implant placement
• Wisdom teeth removal
• Bone grafting
• Full-arch dental restoration
• Tooth extractions
• Treatment of impacted teeth
• Oral pathology services
• Anesthesia and sedation
The Flemington office serves patients from Clinton, Readington, Branchburg and other surrounding Hunterdon County communities.
West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery is located at 6 Sand Hill Road, Suite 301, in Flemington.
Learn more about West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery.
Hunterdon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists
Flemington, NJ
Hunterdon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists is located on the Hunterdon Medical Center campus in Flemington.
The practice is led by Olumide Olawoye, DDS. Dr. Olawoye completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery training at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
He is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and practices a full scope of contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Services include:
• Dental implant placement
• Wisdom teeth removal
• Bone grafting
• Corrective jaw surgery
• Treatment of impacted teeth
• Oral pathology services
• Treatment of facial injuries
• Anesthesia and sedation
The practice also evaluates patients for sleep apnea and other conditions involving the oral and maxillofacial structures.
Hunterdon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists is located at 1100 Wescott Drive, Suite 108, in Flemington.
Learn more about Hunterdon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists.
Begley Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Chester, NJ
Begley Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is located in Chester and serves patients from Chester, Long Valley, Mendham, Tewksbury, Califon and surrounding communities.
The practice is led by Gerard A. Begley, DMD, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with more than 25 years of clinical experience.
Dr. Begley serves as chief of oral surgery at Morristown Medical Center and is involved in oral and maxillofacial surgery resident education.
Services include:
• Wisdom teeth removal
• Dental implant placement
• Bone grafting
• Tooth extractions
• Facial trauma treatment
• Corrective jaw surgery
• Treatment for severe bone loss
• Anesthesia and sedation
The practice also offers zygomatic implants for certain patients with significant upper-jaw bone loss who may not qualify for conventional dental implants.
Begley Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is located at 385 Route 24, Suite 3B, in Chester.
Randolph Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Hackettstown, NJ
Randolph Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is a multi-surgeon practice with offices throughout Northwest New Jersey, including a location in Hackettstown.
Its surgeons practice a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, with services including:
• Wisdom teeth removal
• Dental implant placement
• Full-arch dental implant treatment
• Surgical tooth extractions
• Bone grafting
• Treatment of impacted canine teeth
• Facial trauma treatment
• Oral pathology services
• 3D imaging
• Anesthesia and sedation
The Hackettstown location makes the practice accessible for patients from Hackettstown, Long Valley, Washington Township and the northwestern section of the North Hunterdon market.
Randolph Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is located at 616 Willow Grove St., Suite 4, in Hackettstown.
Learn more about Randolph Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
Hudson Oral Surgery
Hackettstown, NJ
Hudson Oral Surgery operates offices in Hackettstown, Denville, Nutley and Linden.
Its Hackettstown office serves patients from Hackettstown, Washington, Clinton and surrounding communities.
Services include:
• Dental implant placement
• Wisdom teeth removal
• Tooth extractions
• Bone grafting
• Full-arch and fixed dental implant treatment
• Oral pathology services
• Treatment of impacted teeth
• Anesthesia and sedation
The practice also provides consultations for patients with damaged or missing teeth who may require surgical treatment as part of a larger restorative dental plan.
Hudson Oral Surgery is located at 57 Route 46, Suite 207, in Hackettstown.
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.
COMMON ORAL SURGERY PROCEDURES
Wisdom teeth removal
Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to develop.
They may become impacted, grow at an angle, remain partially beneath the gum or create problems for neighboring teeth.
An oral surgeon can use dental imaging to evaluate their position and determine whether monitoring or removal is appropriate.
Not every wisdom tooth needs to be removed. Recommendations depend on the tooth’s position, the patient’s symptoms and the likelihood of future complications.
Dental implants
A dental implant is a small post placed into the jawbone to support a replacement tooth, bridge or another dental restoration.
Before recommending an implant, the surgeon evaluates the patient’s jawbone, surrounding anatomy and medical and dental history.
The oral surgeon generally places the implant. A general dentist or prosthodontist typically creates the final crown, bridge or denture that attaches to it.
Bone grafting
Bone grafting may be recommended when the jaw does not have enough bone to support a dental implant or another surgical procedure.
The type of graft and required healing time depend on the location and amount of bone needed.
Some patients can receive a bone graft at the time of an extraction. Others may require a separate procedure and healing period before an implant can be placed.
Surgical tooth extraction
Some teeth cannot be removed through a straightforward dental extraction.
A tooth may be broken below the gumline, severely decayed, impacted or positioned close to nerves and other important structures.
These situations may require a surgical approach from an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Treatment of impacted canine teeth
Canine teeth sometimes remain trapped beneath the gum or jawbone instead of erupting into the mouth.
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 examination.
Corrective jaw surgery
Corrective jaw surgery may be recommended for certain patients whose upper and lower jaws do not align properly.
Treatment often involves coordination between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and an orthodontist.
Facial trauma treatment
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons may treat fractures or injuries involving the jaw, cheekbones and other facial structures.
More serious injuries may require treatment in a hospital setting.
HOW TO CHOOSE AN ORAL SURGEON
Review the surgeon’s credentials
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete several years of advanced hospital-based surgical and anesthesia training after dental school.
Some surgeons also earn a medical degree as part of their training.
Patients can ask about the surgeon’s education, residency training, board certification and experience with the procedure being recommended.
Ask about experience with the procedure
Oral surgeons may provide a broad range of services, but patients should still ask how frequently the doctor performs the procedure they need.
A routine extraction may involve different considerations than extensive bone grafting, corrective jaw surgery or full-mouth dental implant treatment.
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 it
• How the patient will be monitored
• Whether a responsible adult must provide transportation
• Which food, drink 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 how treatment will be coordinated
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 restoration.
Patients should understand which provider is responsible for each stage and how the offices will communicate.
Review the recovery process
Recovery depends on the procedure, the patient’s 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
Oral surgery may require an initial consultation, a separate surgical appointment and one or more follow-up visits.
Choosing a practice within a reasonable drive can make treatment easier, especially when the patient cannot drive after receiving sedation.
Patients in Flemington, Clinton, Lebanon, Whitehouse Station, Annandale, Tewksbury, Califon, High Bridge, Glen Gardner, Chester, Long Valley and Hackettstown have several local and nearby practices to consider.
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 consultations 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 neighboring teeth or likely to create future problems.
Other patients may only need periodic monitoring.
When should teenagers have their wisdom teeth evaluated?
The timing depends on the teenager’s dental development and symptoms.
A dentist or orthodontist may recommend an evaluation during the later teenage years when wisdom teeth become visible on dental imaging.
An oral surgeon can assess their position and development before deciding whether removal or continued monitoring is appropriate.
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 may be 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 surrounding the teeth.
The appropriate specialist depends on the patient’s 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 and the patient’s health. The surgeon can explain the expected timeline, pain and swelling management, activity and dietary restrictions, and signs that require a call to the office
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 surgery.
It creates an opportunity to understand the diagnosis, review treatment options and ask questions about recovery, anesthesia, cost and follow-up care.
Residents searching for an oral surgeon near Flemington, Clinton, Lebanon, Whitehouse Station, Annandale, Tewksbury, Califon, High Bridge, Chester, Long Valley or Hackettstown have several qualified practices throughout the surrounding North Hunterdon 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.