Oral surgery
For dental work that needs a surgeon, from stuck teeth to bone grafts.
Oral surgery is the dental work done with a blade rather than a drill: impacted teeth, roots left in the bone, grafts that build bone back up, and lumps that need testing. Dr. Malik did a residency in oral surgery, so most of this work is done here rather than referred across the city.
Any of these sound familiar?
- A wisdom tooth is stuck under the gum or lying sideways against the tooth in front.
- A tooth has broken off at the gum line and the root is still in the bone.
- You want an implant, and an X-ray shows there is not enough bone to hold it.
- A lump, white patch or sore in your mouth has not cleared up in two weeks.
- A baby tooth or an extra tooth is blocking an adult tooth from coming through.
Start to finish.
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01
Exam and X-rays
Dr. Malik looks at the area and takes X-rays to see the roots, the bone and the nerve running below them. He tells you what the surgery involves, and what happens if you leave it alone.
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02
Your medical history
We go through your medications, blood thinners and any heart, diabetes or bone condition before booking the surgery. Some of these change the timing or need a word with your physician, and that is easier sorted out beforehand.
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03
Numbing and nitrous
You are frozen for the work, and for longer surgery you can choose oral or IV sedation rather than staying awake through it.
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04
The surgery itself
The work is done through a small opening in the gum, closed with stitches that dissolve on their own. You feel pushing and pressure rather than sharp pain, and we stop if you need a break.
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05
Healing and stitches out
You go home with written aftercare and a prescription if you need one. We see you about a week later to check the site and remove stitches if they are not the dissolving kind.
What it costs, and who pays.
Most oral surgery is one visit plus a short check afterwards. A bone graft adds a few months of healing before the implant or denture that follows it, and is billed as its own stage. Dental plans usually cover part of a surgical extraction, and treat grafts and biopsies differently, so we check yours before you decide.
Ask for a written estimateOral surgery, answered.
Do I need an oral surgeon, or can a dentist do this?
Dr. Malik did a residency in oral surgery and does this work himself at 5105 Hurontario. If a case belongs in a hospital, because of a general anaesthetic or a complicated medical history, he tells you and refers you.
Will I be asleep for oral surgery?
No. The work is done with the area fully frozen, and nitrous oxide if you want to feel calmer. You stay awake and can talk to us throughout.
How long does it take to heal?
The gum closes over in a week or two and most people are back on normal food by then. Bone underneath takes a few months to fill in, which matters when an implant is going in afterwards.
I take a blood thinner. Can I still have surgery?
Usually yes, and usually without stopping it. Tell us the drug and the dose when you book, and Dr. Malik checks with your physician if there is any doubt.
