Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in Pittsburgh, PA

Improve Your Health and Appearance

Oral and maxillofacial surgery focuses on the face, mouth, and jaws. Specialists in this area typically have completed extensive training in dentistry, surgery, and general medicine. The procedures can range from cosmetic surgeries like laser skin resurfacing to restorative treatments like bone grafting.

We offer a wide range of oral and maxillofacial procedures at our practice for your convenience. Both of our dentists are experienced oral surgeons who can ensure your safety and comfort during treatment. Explore our guide to learn more about your options and how you can benefit from oral or maxillofacial surgery.

Why Do You Need Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery?

There are a variety of reasons that you could benefit from visiting one of our surgeons. You may have impacted wisdom teeth, or other unhealthy teeth that need to be removed. Dental implant placement, bone grafting, and other supplemental procedures all fit into the oral and maxillofacial category as well.

You don’t have to be in severe pain or have missing teeth to benefit from our treatments. Our skin rejuvenation treatments can help you achieve a variety of cosmetic goals for a more youthful appearance.

Featured Oral Surgical & Maxillofacial Treatments

While we offer many maxillofacial surgical and non-surgical procedures at our practice, we’ve highlighted a few of the most popular below.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the only permanent, natural-looking solution for missing teeth. Our surgeons will place your implant with total precision, ensuring your comfort and safety throughout the procedure. Once your restoration is secure, you can enjoy all the benefits of a healthy and beautiful smile.

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to serious health issues, including severe pain and oral infections. That’s why we recommend removing them before any significant issues develop. Rest assured, we’ll numb your teeth with local anesthesia so you don’t feel any pain during the extraction.

TMJ Therapy

If you develop problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), it can result in jaw pain, headaches, and more. Our surgeons can relieve your pain with a customized mouthguard that you wear overnight. Or, in more severe cases, we can also perform bite correction surgery.

Cosmetic Procedures

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are uniquely qualified to perform a variety of cosmetic procedures. For example, one of our most popular treatments is BOTOX, which removes wrinkles and frown lines for a more radiant appearance.

We also offer chemical peels to eliminate scars, acne, and other cosmetic flaws from your face. This improves your complexion, helping you look younger and more attractive in addition to boosting your confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to recover from oral and maxillofacial surgery?

The duration of the recovery period depends on several factors, such as the type of procedure and how quickly you heal. Patients typically need a few days to rest following surgery. 

These first days are crucial to your recovery because your body needs to work hard to make repairs. It’s best to avoid any strenuous activities that can impair your recovery and follow instructions from dentists carefully. Proper care after your surgery helps reduce the likelihood of infection.

Is oral and maxillofacial surgery painful?

Prior to the procedure, we’ll numb the area with a local anesthetic, so you won’t feel a thing. We can also recommend IV sedation to ensure you’re comfortable the entire time. Following your surgery, you may experience some swelling and discomfort that should dissipate with time.

In addition to following any recommendations given by our dentists, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, and apply an ice pack to help control any pain and swelling. Be sure to take any medications as directed.

What’s the difference between oral and maxillofacial surgery?

Oral surgery is a procedure that involves cutting into the tissues of your mouth, such as your gums or jawbone. Examples of oral surgeries include wisdom teeth removal, dental implant procedure, gum graft, or root canal.

Maxillofacial surgery includes treatment of facial injuries, such as fractures of the lower or upper jaw, cheekbone, nose, and orbit. Maxillofacial surgeons also treat soft tissue injuries of the mouth, face, and neck.

We’ll typically offer IV sedation before your oral or maxillofacial surgery.

What can I eat and drink after oral and maxillofacial surgery?

Every surgery is different, therefore guidelines and timeframes for recovery will vary depending on the procedure and the patient. Following your surgery, it’s best to stick to a diet consisting of soft foods. You’ll want to avoid any foods that are hot to start. Here are a few foods that may help you during recovery:

• Protein Drinks
• Mashed bananas
• Applesauce
• Yogurt
• Warm Blended soups 
• Milkshakes
• Jell-O

How do I speed up the recovery following oral surgery?

In addition to following any instructions from Drs. Dugan and Sweeney, there are several ways to facilitate the healing process and avoid complications along the way. Tips to a speedy recovery include:

• Avoid tobacco and alcohol
• Refrain from touching the area 
• Chew on the opposite side of your mouth
• Try PRP Therapy
• Rest
• Eat soft foods
• Stay hydrated
• Stick to a soft diet
• Use a cold compress
• Take over-the-counter pain medications 

You’ll also want to practice good oral hygiene and attend any follow-up appointments. During these visits, we can ensure you’re healing properly.

Visit Dr. Dugan & Dr. Sweeney For Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

The procedures listed above are only a few of the oral and maxillofacial services we offer at our practice. To learn more about our featured treatments and how you can benefit, call our office in Pittsburgh at (412) 366-2090 and schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons.