Oral surgery

Oral Surgery in Tijuana, Mexico

Q: What types of bone graft materials are available?

Bone grafts may use your own bone, processed human donor bone, purified bovine bone, or synthetic bone graft materials. The best choice depends on your individual treatment needs.

Advanced Surgical Care for Teeth, Gums, and Jawbone

Oral surgery includes many procedures that treat problems with the teeth, gums, jawbone, and supporting tissues.

Personalized treatment plans designed for your unique needs.

What Is Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the teeth, gums, jawbone, and surrounding oral tissues through surgical procedures. While many people associate oral surgery only with wisdom tooth removal, the specialty includes a wide variety of treatments that relieve pain, eliminate infection, restore function, and prepare patients for restorative procedures such as dental implants, crowns, and dentures.

At Dr. Mexico Dental Group, oral surgery is performed using modern digital imaging, careful treatment planning, and techniques designed to maximize comfort while promoting fast healing.

When Is Oral Surgery Necessary?

Oral surgery may be recommended when a problem cannot be treated with routine dental procedures alone. Surgery is often the best option for removing damaged teeth, treating infections, rebuilding bone, correcting gum or jaw conditions, or preparing the mouth for future dental treatment.

Common reasons include:

Severely damaged or broken teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth
Dental abscesses and infections
Advanced bone loss
Preparing for dental implants
Preparing for dentures
Crown lengthening before crowns
Bone grafting procedures
Persistent infection after root canal treatment

Tooth Extractions and Surgical Extractions

Removing a tooth is one of the most common forms of oral surgery. Teeth may require extraction because of severe decay, fractures, advanced gum disease, infection, or overcrowding.

Some extractions are relatively straightforward, while others require surgical techniques when the tooth is broken below the gumline or has not erupted completely.

Whenever possible, our first goal is always to save a natural tooth. However, when extraction is the healthiest option, careful surgical techniques help minimize discomfort and promote rapid healing.

Before recommending an extraction, we carefully evaluate whether the tooth can be saved with treatments such as a filling, crown, or root canal. When extraction is the best option, we also discuss replacement solutions—including dental implants, bridges, or dentures—to help restore your smile, chewing function, and long-term oral health.

Wisdom Tooth Surgery

Wisdom teeth extractions are frequently needed when they become impacted, partially erupted, infected, or begin damaging neighboring teeth.

Some wisdom teeth remain trapped beneath the gums or jawbone and require surgical removal. Others may lie sideways or at unusual angles, making removal more complex.

Removing problematic wisdom teeth before they create serious complications often helps prevent future pain, infection, and damage to adjacent teeth.

Crown Lengthening and Gum Surgery

Sometimes a tooth does not have enough healthy structure above the gumline to properly support a dental crown.

Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that reshapes gum tissue and, when necessary, a small amount of supporting bone to expose more of the natural tooth. This creates a stronger foundation for long-lasting restorations.

Gum contouring may also be performed to improve the appearance of an uneven smile by carefully reshaping excess gum tissue.

Bone Grafting Procedures

Healthy jawbone is essential for supporting dental implants and maintaining facial structure. When bone has been lost due to missing teeth, gum disease, trauma, or infection, bone grafting can often rebuild the area and make dental implants possible.

Bone grafting ranges from relatively simple socket preservation after a tooth extraction to more advanced procedures that reconstruct larger areas of the jaw. Depending on the amount of bone loss and the location being treated, your dentist may recommend rebuilding the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both before implant placement.

Several types of grafting materials may be used, including:

Autogenous bone (the patient’s own bone), considered the gold standard because it contains living bone cells and natural growth factors.
Allograft bone, processed human donor bone that serves as a scaffold for new bone formation.
Xenograft bone, most commonly purified bovine (cow) bone that provides long-term structural support.
Synthetic bone graft materials, which are biocompatible materials designed to encourage natural bone regeneration.

In some cases, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), prepared from a small sample of the patient’s own blood, is combined with the grafting material to encourage healing and improve bone regeneration.

For patients with significant bone loss in the lower jaw, more advanced reconstructive procedures may be necessary. One technique uses a titanium mesh, secured with tiny titanium screws, to stabilize the bone graft and maintain the desired shape while new bone develops. After several months of healing—sometimes up to a year in complex cases—the graft can mature sufficiently to support dental implant placement. In many cases, the titanium mesh is removed once the new bone has fully integrated.

Every patient is unique, and the type of bone graft recommended depends on the amount of bone available, the location of the defect, and the long-term restorative goals.

By rebuilding a strong, healthy foundation, bone grafting allows many patients who were once told they were not candidates for dental implants to regain the opportunity for a stable, long-lasting smile.

Sinus Lift Surgery?

In the upper back jaw, the maxillary sinus often limits the amount of bone available for dental implants.

A sinus lift gently raises the sinus membrane and places bone graft material beneath it, creating sufficient bone height to support future implant placement.

This procedure has become one of the most predictable methods for restoring missing upper molars.

While sinus lift surgery rebuilds bone in the upper back jaw beneath the sinus cavity, patients with significant bone loss in the lower jaw may require different grafting techniques, including ridge augmentation or titanium mesh-guided bone regeneration. Both procedures are designed to create enough healthy bone to support long-lasting dental implants.

Alveoloplasty (Jawbone Smoothing)

After multiple teeth are removed, the jawbone may heal with sharp or uneven ridges.

Alveoloplasty smooths and reshapes the bone, creating a more comfortable foundation for dentures or other restorations.

Patients often experience improved comfort, better denture stability, and easier healing after this procedure.

Alveoloplasty is often performed immediately following multiple tooth extractions, allowing the jawbone to heal in a shape that better supports future dentures or implant-supported restorations. Performing the procedure at the time of extraction can often reduce the need for additional surgery later.

Torus (Tori) Removal

Some people naturally develop harmless bony growths called tori along the inside of the lower jaw or the roof of the mouth.

Although these growths are usually painless, they can interfere with dentures, speech, oral hygiene, or comfort.

When necessary, they can be surgically removed to improve function and allow properly fitting prosthetic appliances

Apicoectomy (Root-End Surgery)

Most root canal infections heal successfully after conventional treatment. Occasionally, however, infection may persist around the tip of a tooth’s root.

An apicoectomy removes the infected root tip through a small surgical opening in the jawbone, allowing the tooth to be preserved when retreatment alone may not be sufficient.

Saving a natural tooth whenever possible remains an important goal of modern dentistry.

Surgical Treatment of Dental Infections

Some dental infections spread beyond the tooth and into the surrounding bone or soft tissues.

When this occurs, oral surgery may be necessary to drain the infection, remove damaged tissue, eliminate the source of infection, and restore healthy healing.

Prompt treatment helps prevent more serious complications

Oral Surgery for Dental Implant Patients

Many dental implant procedures involve oral surgery.

These may include tooth extractions

, bone grafting, sinus lifts, ridge preservation, and surgical implant placement. Proper surgical preparation creates a stable foundation for successful long-term implant treatment.

Other Oral Surgery Procedures

Oral surgery encompasses a wide range of specialized procedures beyond those performed routinely in general dentistry practice. These may include corrective jaw (orthognathic) surgery to improve jaw alignment, removal of cysts and benign growths, treatment of jaw fractures, surgical exposure of impacted teeth for orthodontic treatment, and other complex maxillofacial procedures.

If a patient requires highly specialized care beyond the scope of routine oral surgery, Dr. Mexico Dental Group can coordinate treatment with trusted oral and maxillofacial surgery specialists in Tijuana to ensure comprehensive care.

Recovery After Oral Surgery

Most patients recover quickly following oral surgery when post-operative instructions are carefully followed.

Depending on the procedure, recommendations may include resting, eating soft foods, applying ice packs, taking prescribed medications, and maintaining good oral hygiene while allowing the surgical area to heal.

Our team provides detailed recovery instructions and remains available to answer questions throughout the healing process.

Why Choose Dr. Mexico Dental Group for Oral Surgery?

Successful oral surgery requires careful diagnosis, modern technology, surgical experience, and personalized treatment planning.

At Dr. Mexico Dental Group, we combine advanced digital imaging, conservative surgical techniques, and comprehensive restorative dentistry to help patients receive the treatment they need in one convenient location. Whether you require a simple extraction, bone grafting, implant preparation, or a more complex surgical procedure, our goal is to provide safe, comfortable care while achieving the best possible long-term outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oral Surgery

What is oral surgery?

Oral surgery is a branch of dentistry that involves surgical procedures on the teeth, gums, jawbone, and surrounding oral tissues. It includes procedures such as tooth extractions, wisdom tooth removal, bone grafting, sinus lifts, crown lengthening, and dental implant surgery.

How do I know if I need oral surgery?

Your dentist may recommend oral surgery if you have a severely damaged tooth, impacted wisdom teeth, advanced infection, bone loss, or require treatment to prepare for dental implants, dentures, or other restorations. A clinical examination and digital X-rays or a CBCT scan help determine the best treatment.

Is oral surgery painful?

Most oral surgery procedures are performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during treatment. Sedation may also be available for more complex procedures or anxious patients. Mild discomfort after surgery is normal and is usually well controlled with medication.

How long does it take to recover from oral surgery?

Recovery depends on the procedure. Simple extractions may heal within a few days, while bone grafting, sinus lifts, or more complex surgeries may require several months for complete healing before the next phase of treatment.

What is the difference between a simple extraction and a surgical extraction?

A simple extraction removes a tooth that is fully visible above the gumline. A surgical extraction is required when the tooth is broken, impacted, or located below the gums or jawbone and requires a small surgical incision.

When should wisdom teeth be removed?

Wisdom teeth are commonly removed when they become impacted, cause pain, develop infections, damage neighboring teeth, or create overcrowding. Not all wisdom teeth require removal, and each case should be evaluated individually.

What is a bone graft?

A bone graft rebuilds areas of the jaw where bone has been lost due to missing teeth, infection, trauma, or gum disease. Bone grafts create a stronger foundation for future dental implants and help preserve the shape of the jaw.

What types of bone graft materials are available?

Bone grafts may use your own bone (autogenous bone), processed human donor bone (allograft), purified bovine bone (xenograft), or synthetic bone graft materials. The best choice depends on your individual treatment needs.

What is a sinus lift?

A sinus lift is an oral surgery procedure that adds bone beneath the sinus cavity in the upper back jaw. It is commonly performed when there is insufficient bone height for placing dental implants.

Can the lower jaw also be rebuilt with bone grafting?

Yes. Patients with significant bone loss in the lower jaw may benefit from ridge augmentation or guided bone regeneration. In some cases, a titanium mesh is used to stabilize the bone graft while new bone forms, creating enough bone to support dental implants.

What is alveoloplasty?

Alveoloplasty is a procedure that smooths and reshapes the jawbone after teeth have been removed. It is often performed before dentures are made to improve comfort and achieve a better fit.

What are tori, and do they need to be removed?

Tori are harmless bony growths that develop inside the lower jaw or on the roof of the mouth. They usually require no treatment unless they interfere with dentures, speech, eating, or oral hygiene.

What is an apicoectomy?

An apicoectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the infected tip of a tooth root when a standard root canal or retreatment cannot completely eliminate the infection. It can often save a tooth that might otherwise require extraction.

Can oral surgery help prepare me for dental implants?

Yes. Many implant patients require procedures such as tooth extractions, bone grafting, ridge preservation, or sinus lifts before implants can be placed successfully.

Do you treat dental infections with oral surgery?

Yes. Some severe dental infections require surgical drainage, removal of infected tissue, or extraction of the affected tooth to eliminate the infection and restore oral health.

Will I need a CBCT scan before oral surgery?

Many surgical procedures benefit from a Cone Beam CT (CBCT) scan because it provides a detailed three-dimensional view of the teeth, jawbone, nerves, and sinuses. This allows for more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Are there alternatives to oral surgery?

In some situations, non-surgical treatment may be possible. Whenever feasible, our goal is to preserve your natural teeth through restorative or endodontic treatment before recommending surgery.

Can I travel home after oral surgery?

Many patients return home the same day after minor procedures. More complex surgeries, such as bone grafting or multiple extractions, may require an overnight stay or additional follow-up before traveling.

How soon can I receive dental implants after bone grafting?

Healing times vary depending on the amount of grafting performed. Smaller grafts may heal in a few months, while larger reconstructive procedures can require six to twelve months before implant placement.

Why choose Dr. Mexico Dental Group for oral surgery?

Our team combines advanced digital imaging, careful surgical planning, modern techniques, and comprehensive restorative dentistry to provide personalized oral surgery in one convenient location. When highly specialized oral and maxillofacial procedures are required, we can coordinate care with trusted specialists in Tijuana.

Conclusion About Oral Surgery

Oral surgery encompasses far more than tooth extractions. From wisdom teeth and bone grafting to crown lengthening, sinus lifts, jawbone reconstruction, and implant preparation, modern oral surgery plays a vital role in restoring oral health and creating the foundation for successful long-term treatment. At Dr. Mexico Dental Group, every treatment plan begins with a comprehensive examination and advanced digital imaging to determine the most conservative and effective solution for your needs. Whether you require a routine surgical procedure or a more complex reconstruction, our experienced team is committed to providing safe, comfortable care and outstanding results. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn how oral surgery can help restore your smile and improve your quality of life.

Ready to Discuss Your Oral Surgery Options?

Whether you need a simple tooth extraction, impacted wisdom tooth removal, bone grafting, crown lengthening, sinus lift surgery, or another oral surgical procedure, the team at Dr. Mexico Dental Group is here to help. Every treatment begins with a comprehensive examination, digital X-rays or CBCT imaging when appropriate, and a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs.

Our goal is to relieve pain, eliminate infection, preserve healthy teeth whenever possible, and provide the strongest foundation for long-term oral health. If your case requires highly specialized oral and maxillofacial surgery beyond the scope of our routine procedures, we can coordinate your care with trusted specialists in Tijuana to ensure you receive the best possible treatment.

Contact Dr. Mexico Dental Group today to schedule your consultation and discover how modern oral surgery can restore your comfort, protect your oral health, and help you smile with confidence. Call: (619) 819-9442 or WhatsApp: +52 664 294 6376