Dental surgery is one of the best ways to relieve discomfort and improve the visual appeal of your teeth; however, going for surgery can be nerve-racking.
If you are nervous about dental surgery and are wondering what to expect and how long the procedure will take, we thought we would look closer. Here at Next Smile Australia, we pride ourselves on giving our patients the very best experience possible, and our experienced dentists are on hand to help you throughout the procedure.
There are many reasons why a patient might require dental surgery. Most commonly, it will be due to some form of pain or discomfort likely due to
Trauma: Trauma is one of the most common requirements for needing dental surgery. This could include damage to the teeth directly or to the surrounding tissue, bones and ligaments.
Disease: Disease, infection and severe decay are also very common causes of requiring dental surgery. Gum disease is a severe gum infection that damages the soft tissue and can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. In most instances, your dentist will try to save the tooth before extracting it; however, this might not be possible depending on the severity of the disease.
The length of dental surgery depends on the procedure. Here’s a quick guide to common types:
Root Canal: A root canal removes a tooth’s nerve to relieve pain from decay. Most take 30–60 minutes, though molars can take up to 90 minutes. Follow-up appointments for a crown may add another hour.
Periodontal Surgery: For severe gum disease, dentists clean deep under the gums after temporarily moving the tissue. This procedure can take up to 2 hours.
Corrective Jaw Surgery: Used to fix misaligned teeth, facial imbalances, or chewing issues, this complex surgery requires general anaesthesia and can take several hours, with multiple follow-ups and a longer recovery.
Tooth Extraction: Simple extractions usually take 20–40 minutes per tooth, including numbing and post-op care. Wisdom teeth may take 45–90 minutes, depending on complexity and position.
Dental implants: Single implants take 1–2 hours to place and require time to integrate with the jawbone before the final crown is attached.
All-on-4®: All-on-4® replaces a full arch of teeth with just four implants, often completed in a single day. Patients can enjoy a permanent, fixed smile within 24 hours, with minimal bone grafting required and a high success rate. With proper care, All-on-4® implants are designed to last a lifetime.
Recovery is just as important as the procedure itself. Here’s how to support healing after tooth removal, root canals, or dental implants:
Rest: Dental surgery can be a shock to your body. Give yourself time to rest and recover.
Follow your Dentist’s Instructions: Your dentist may advise avoiding certain mouthwashes, brushing specific areas, or rinsing with warm saltwater. Following these instructions reduces infection risk and promotes faster healing.
Use Ice for Swelling: Swelling is common after surgery. Applying an ice pack during the first 24 hours can help reduce inflammation and discomfort.
Eat and Drink Carefully: Stick to soft foods for the first 48 hours to avoid putting pressure on your gums or teeth. Be mindful of hot or cold drinks, as sensitivity is normal during recovery.
If you want to transform your smile, then Next Smile Australia is here to help you. Our innovative All-on-4® was developed by Dr Paulo Malo, who personally trained our experienced dentists to ensure we can deliver the very best level of care possible.
Don’t let the fear of dental surgery put you off discovering your next smile!
Take the first step today:
With 7 Super Clinics across Australia and a network of accredited regional partners, reliable dental implant care is always within reach. From your first consultation to lifelong aftercare, our coordinated network delivers complete implant solutions – all under one roof.