You may need an oral surgeon in Thunder Bay when a procedure is more complex than routine dental care, such as removing deeply impacted wisdom teeth, extracting teeth close to nerves or the sinus, placing implants where bone is very limited, correcting jaw alignment with surgery, or taking a biopsy of a lesion that has not healed. Many extractions, including some surgical extractions, are handled by a general dentist. Your dentist assesses each case and refers you when specialist care is the safer choice. This guide explains when to see an oral surgeon, how referrals work, and what to expect.
What Does an Oral Surgeon Do?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a dental specialist who has completed several years of additional hospital-based surgical training after dental school. They diagnose and treat conditions involving the teeth, jaws, face, and neck, and are trained to manage complex surgery and, in suitable settings, deeper sedation or general anesthesia.
General dentists manage a wide range of care, including check-ups, fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, extractions, and, at some practices, implants. A referral to an oral surgeon happens when a case needs a higher level of surgical expertise or a hospital-level setting. You can check whether a dentist or specialist is registered on the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario website.
Area | General dentist | Oral and maxillofacial surgeon |
Training | Dental degree | Dental degree plus several years of hospital-based surgical training |
Routine extractions | Yes | Yes |
Surgical extractions | Many cases | Complex cases |
Impacted wisdom teeth | Some cases | Complex or high-risk cases |
Dental implants | Some practices, depending on training | Yes, including complex cases |
Jaw surgery | No | Yes |
Biopsies of oral lesions | Some cases | Yes |
When to See an Oral Surgeon
Common reasons a dentist refers to an oral surgeon include:
Impacted wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth that are buried in bone, angled toward neighbouring teeth, or close to the nerve in the lower jaw may need surgical removal by a specialist. The procedure can involve opening the gum, removing bone, sectioning the tooth, and stitching.
Complex extractions
Teeth with curved or multiple roots, roots near the sinus or the nerve, or teeth that are badly broken below the gum may need specialist surgical techniques.
Implants in complex cases
Patients with significant bone loss, limited bone height, or full-arch needs may be referred for implant surgery or bone grafting. Read our guide to dental implants with bone loss.
Jaw surgery
When jaw misalignment affects bite, breathing, or facial structure in ways orthodontics alone cannot correct, an oral surgeon performs corrective jaw surgery, usually working with an orthodontist.
Biopsy of oral lesions
Lumps, white or red patches, or sores that do not heal within about two to three weeks may need a biopsy. Most lesions turn out to be benign, but checking is the appropriate step.
Facial injuries and infections
Serious facial trauma, jaw fractures, or spreading infections may need specialist or hospital care.
Jaw joint (TMJ) surgery
Most jaw joint problems are managed without surgery. In rare cases where conservative care has not helped, a surgical assessment may be part of the pathway. Learn about TMJ therapy in Thunder Bay at Sky Dental Centre.
What Sky Dental Centre Handles in House
Sky Dental Centre performs tooth extractions in Thunder Bay in house, including surgical extractions that need sectioning or more involved techniques, and offers dental implant planning and placement, including bone grafting and sinus lifts where needed. Each case is assessed individually. When a referral to an oral surgeon gives you a safer or better outcome, the team explains why, sends a referral with your records, and tells you what to expect.
If you are not sure whether your situation is a routine extraction or something more complex, a consultation is a sensible starting point. Our guide to signs you need a tooth extraction explains how dentists decide.
How Does the Referral Process Work?
- Assessment by your dentist: an examination and X-rays, sometimes a 3D scan, show why specialist care is recommended.
- Referral letter and records: your dentist sends a referral with your X-rays, any scans, and clinical notes.
- Booking: the oral surgeon’s office contacts you or you call to schedule a consultation.
- Consultation: the surgeon reviews your case, examines you, and explains the recommended procedure, risks, alternatives, sedation options, recovery, and costs.
- Decision: you are not obliged to proceed. You can take time to consider, ask more questions, or seek a second opinion.
- Procedure and follow-up: if you go ahead, you receive pre- and post-operative instructions, and your general dentist continues your routine care.
If your situation is urgent, such as spreading infection, significant swelling, or difficulty swallowing, make sure both your dentist and the specialist’s office know how urgent it is.
Questions to Ask at Your Oral Surgery Consultation
- Why is a specialist recommended for my case?
- What does the procedure involve, and how long will it take?
- What sedation or anesthesia options are available?
- What are the risks, and what are the alternatives?
- What will recovery look like, and when can I return to work or school?
- What will it cost, and what might my insurance cover?
- Which signs after surgery mean I should call?
What Is Recovery Like After Oral Surgery?
Recovery depends on the procedure. After a surgical extraction, most people have swelling and tenderness for a few days, with healing continuing over the following weeks. More involved procedures, such as multiple implants, grafting, or jaw surgery, take longer. General recovery steps include:
- Resting for the first day and keeping your head raised
- Using cold compresses on the outside of the face as advised
- Eating soft foods and avoiding straws and smoking
- Taking medication exactly as prescribed
- Keeping follow-up appointments
Our tooth extraction recovery guide explains what to eat and avoid in the first week.
Oral Surgery Access in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario
Thunder Bay is a regional hub for northwestern Ontario, so specialist availability and wait times can vary. Patients travelling from communities such as Dryden, Fort Frances, Nipigon, or Geraldton may need to plan trips into the city. Ask your referring dentist how urgent your referral is, and try to group specialist appointments with other visits to reduce travel. If symptoms worsen while you wait, contact your dentist or the specialist’s office.
Does Insurance or OHIP Cover Oral Surgery?
OHIP covers a limited range of dental surgery when it is performed in a hospital for medical reasons. Most oral surgery done in a specialist’s office is not covered by OHIP. Private dental plans vary in what they cover, often treating surgical extractions as basic or major services and implants differently. Eligible members of the Canadian Dental Care Plan may have coverage for some surgical services; check the CDCP coverage page. Ask for a written estimate and a predetermination before treatment.
Wisdom Teeth: Dentist or Oral Surgeon?
Situation | Often handled by |
Fully erupted wisdom tooth with simple roots | General dentist |
Partly erupted tooth needing some gum or bone removal | General dentist or oral surgeon, depending on the case |
Deeply impacted tooth close to the nerve | Oral surgeon |
Patient needing deeper sedation or general anesthesia | Oral surgeon or hospital setting |
Your dentist uses X-rays, and sometimes a 3D scan, to see the position of the tooth and its roots before recommending who should remove it.
Sedation and Anesthesia Options
Many oral surgery procedures are done under local anesthetic, which numbs the area. Depending on the procedure and your health, options may also include nitrous oxide, oral sedation, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia in suitable settings. The oral surgeon will explain which options are appropriate, what preparation is needed, such as fasting, and whether you need someone to drive you home.
Preparing for Oral Surgery
- Follow any eating and drinking instructions exactly.
- Arrange a ride home if you are having sedation.
- Bring a list of medications, including blood thinners and supplements.
- Prepare soft foods and cold packs at home.
- Plan time off work or school as advised.
- Ask who to contact if you have concerns after hours.
Warning Signs After Oral Surgery
Contact the surgeon’s office or your dentist if you notice bleeding that does not stop with pressure, swelling that keeps increasing after the first few days, fever, worsening pain after initial improvement, numbness that does not wear off, or a bad taste or discharge. Go to hospital for difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Second Opinions
If you are unsure about a recommendation, it is reasonable to ask for a second opinion, whether from another dentist or another specialist. Bring your X-rays and referral notes so the second provider can review them without repeating every test. If you have pain or swelling, do not delay urgent care while seeking another opinion.
Coordinating Care Between Your Dentist and the Specialist
After oral surgery, your general dentist usually continues your regular care, such as check-ups, cleanings, and any restorations needed after healing. For example, after an implant is placed by a surgeon, your dentist may complete the crown. Clear communication between both offices helps keep your treatment on track.
Common Myths About Oral Surgery Referrals
- “A referral means something went wrong.” It means your case benefits from specialist care.
- “Only oral surgeons remove wisdom teeth.” Many wisdom teeth are removed by general dentists; complex cases are referred.
- “I have to proceed once I’ve had a consultation.” You can take time, ask questions, or get a second opinion.
- “Oral surgery is always done under general anesthesia.” Many procedures use local anesthetic, with sedation options depending on the case.
When to See an Oral Surgeon: Summary
Most people see an oral surgeon after a dentist recommends it for complex extractions, impacted wisdom teeth, complex implants, jaw surgery, or a biopsy. Your general dentist is the right first stop: they assess your case, treat what they can, and refer when specialist care is the better choice. Ask questions at every step so you understand why care is recommended.
What to Bring to Your Specialist Appointment
Bring your referral letter, a list of medications and allergies, your health card, your dental insurance details, and any questions you have written down. If you are having a procedure the same day, follow the specialist’s instructions about eating, drinking, and arranging a ride home.
Key Takeaways
- Oral surgeons handle complex extractions, impacted wisdom teeth, complex implants, jaw surgery, and biopsies.
- Many extractions, including some surgical extractions, are handled by a general dentist.
- Sky Dental Centre performs extractions and implant treatment in house and refers when specialist care is the better choice.
- You can ask questions, take time, or seek a second opinion before any procedure.
- OHIP covers only limited hospital-based dental surgery; check your plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see an oral surgeon in Thunder Bay?
Usually, yes. Oral surgeons typically see patients on referral from a dentist who has assessed the case.
What is the difference between an oral surgeon and a general dentist?
An oral surgeon is a dental specialist with several years of additional hospital-based surgical training. General dentists provide a broad range of care and refer complex surgical cases.
Does Sky Dental Centre perform oral surgery in house?
Sky Dental Centre performs tooth extractions, including surgical extractions, and dental implant treatment in house. Complex cases are assessed individually and referred when that is the safer option.
How long does recovery from oral surgery take?
It depends on the procedure. A surgical extraction usually involves a few days of swelling and tenderness, with healing over the following weeks. More involved procedures take longer.
Does OHIP cover oral surgery?
OHIP covers a limited range of dental surgery performed in hospital for medical reasons. Most office-based oral surgery is not covered, so check your dental plan.
Not Sure if You Need an Oral Surgeon?
If you have been told you may need oral surgery, or have a dental problem that is not resolving, book an appointment at Sky Dental Centre, 2817 Arthur St E in Thunder Bay. The team will assess your situation and explain whether treatment can be done in house or whether a referral is the better path.
*This article is general information, not dental advice for your situation.*