Oral Surgery in Norcross, GA

Sometimes your mouth needs more than a routine fix. That’s when oral surgery may become part of your treatment plan. At Carter-Rockbridge General Dentistry, Dr. Stingley doesn’t make that call lightly: she only recommends surgery when you need advanced treatment to support your health.

If you need a tooth removed, bone rebuilt, or an infection controlled, Dr. Stingley will explain what’s going on and walk you through how she plans to help. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is cookie-cutter. She makes every recommendation with your needs in mind.

When Is Oral Surgery Needed?

Oral surgery isn’t always the first step, but sometimes it’s the right one. We might recommend it if you have a tooth that can’t be saved, need a bone graft for an implant, or have an issue like an impacted tooth or tori that’s causing problems.

We focus on what’s causing the issue, not just the symptoms you’re feeling. Once we know what we’re dealing with, Dr. Stingley will walk you through your options and help you decide what makes the most sense for your health and comfort.

Will Oral Surgery Hurt?

Oral Surgery in Norcross, GA | Schedule a Free Screening TodayDental work doesn’t have to hurt. A lot depends on the time and care your dentist puts into your treatment. At Carter-Rockbridge General Dentistry, patients are often surprised by how little discomfort they feel during oral surgery. Dr. Stingley numbs the treatment area gently, without needing numbing cream to make you comfortable.

Her gentle touch and no-rush approach also mean you won’t be pushed through the process before you’re ready.

If you’re feeling nervous, we understand that, and we can help. Dr. Stingley has a way of putting people at ease. She takes the time to talk with you, calm your nerves, and build trust. But if you need a little more than that, we also offer sedation to help you relax through the visit.

After surgery, you might feel some soreness, but we’ll walk you through how to manage it and what to expect. If something doesn’t feel right, you won’t be left wondering: Dr. Stingley checks in, and you can always reach out. Our goal is to make sure you feel cared for before, during, and after your visit.

Surgical Treatments at Carter-Rockbridge General Dentistry

Oral surgery involves a variety of different treatments. Below are some of the common surgical procedures we perform at our office:

Tooth Extractions

Sometimes, teeth need to come out because they’re too damaged to fix and they’re causing, or going to cause, problems. In these cases, removing the tooth can prevent infection and protect your overall oral health.

To remove the tooth, Dr. Stingley will numb the area, gently loosen the tooth, and remove it with care. If it’s not easily accessible, she may need to make a small incision to get to it. Once it’s out, she’ll place gauze to help the area heal and walk you through how to take care of it at home.

Most patients feel much better after a few days of rest. And many have even told us that they didn’t need to use pain relievers post-op, thanks to Dr. Stingley’s gentle technique.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to show up, usually in your late teens or early twenties. Sometimes they come in without a problem. But more often, there’s just not enough space, and that can lead to pain, swelling, or crowding.

If your wisdom teeth are causing trouble or look like they might, Dr. Stingley may recommend removing them. She’ll get you comfortably numb, make a small opening if needed, and remove the teeth as gently as possible. Then it’s gauze, rest, and soft foods for a few days while your mouth recovers.

It’s a common dental procedure—one that Dr. Stingley performs frequently!

Dental Implants

Missing teeth can throw everything off: how you chew, how you talk, and how you feel about your smile. Dental implants help fix that by giving you something solid to bite with again. These titanium tooth roots restore your bite force and keep your jawbone from shrinking, which protects your long-term oral health.

Sometimes, we’ll extract a damaged tooth and replace it with an implant on the same day. Other times, you may have been missing a tooth for a while, and we plan the replacement accordingly. Either way, we customize treatment to your exact needs.

We’re able to personalize your care because we offer both two-piece traditional implants and one-piece mini implants. Traditional implants work well when there’s enough healthy bone, but if you’ve experienced bone loss or want a less invasive option, mini implants are a great solution. They don’t require complex surgery, and in many cases, Dr. Stingley can place them and secure a temporary tooth in one visit.

Bone Grafting

When you lose a tooth or have gum disease, the bone in your jaw can start to shrink. That becomes a problem if we need to place a dental implant or want to stop further changes in your bite or facial structure. Bone grafting allows us to rebuild that area so your mouth has the support it needs moving forward.

If you need a bone graft, Dr. Stingley will apply a local anesthetic, make an incision in the gums, and place bone graft material where your jaw needs support. Then she’ll stitch it up and let your body do the rest.

Over time, your body uses the graft as a framework for new bone growth. As a result, you’ll have a stronger, healthier foundation for whatever comes next.

Tori Removal

Tori are bone formations that develop beneath the gums. They’re typically located on the roof of the mouth or on the inside portion of the lower jaw near the tongue.

While these growths are benign, many people choose to have them removed when they interfere with comfort or oral hygiene. For example, food can get trapped in the grooves, which leads to plaque buildup and gum irritation. We may also remove tori to improve the fit of dentures, as the growths can prevent a strong seal and a comfortable fit.

To remove them, Dr. Stingley will numb the area, gently open the gums, and carefully remove the excess bone. Once it’s smooth, she’ll close it up with stitches.

Laser Gum Disease Treatment

When we catch gum disease early, we can often treat it without surgery. However, in more advanced cases, laser therapy offers a gentle, effective option. Using targeted laser energy, Dr. Stingley can remove harmful bacteria and infected tissue without cutting or stitches.

This method helps reduce inflammation, encourages healing, and preserves as much healthy gum tissue as possible. It’s a more comfortable, minimally invasive treatment that helps get your oral health back on track.

Let’s Talk About Your Oral Surgery Options

Oral surgery isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what’s needed to protect your health. If you’re dealing with pain, infection, or a tooth that just isn’t functioning properly anymore, we’re here to help. Dr. Stingley will explain what’s going on and give you honest guidance you can trust.

Book your free screening today to take the next step toward better oral health.

Frequently Asked Questions

You might not know for sure until we take a look, but some signs could point in that direction. If you have a split tooth, severe pain, crowded wisdom teeth, or persistent infection, oral surgery might be the next step. Swelling, gum overgrowth, or bone loss that’s affecting your bite can also be indicators.

That said, oral surgery isn’t typically our first move. It’s something we consider when your mouth needs more support than routine care can provide. We’ll always talk through what’s going on and what makes the most sense before making our recommendations.

L-PRF (leukocyte platelet-rich fibrin) uses a small amount of your own blood to create a natural healing booster. We spin the blood sample in our centrifuge to separate the components into layers. We then remove the middle layer, which is rich in growth factors, and place it right at the surgical site.

What that means for you: better healing, fewer complications, and a smoother recovery. Because we harness the power of your own biology, your body knows exactly what to do with it. It encourages healthy tissue growth, helps control bleeding, and supports your immune response.

You’ll want to wait a few hours after your extraction before eating anything, and when you do, keep it soft and gentle. Think applesauce, yogurt, mashed potatoes, and other foods that don’t require chewing. Avoid anything hot, crunchy, or spicy for at least a day or two so you don’t disturb the healing area.

It’s also important not to use a straw or spit forcefully, since that can dislodge the clot forming at the site. We’ll walk you through exactly what to eat and when, so you feel confident heading home. And if you’re ever unsure, just give us a call.