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Oral surgery in Valparaiso, IN
Featured Reviews
Yes I had a very good experience and my son also liked the dentist very much I would rate them a ten
Thanks
This is the place to go and the dentist to see if you've ever been afraid to go take care of your teeth!
I'm 52 years of age which gives me many decades to reference.
In short, my story: my fear of dentistry started when I was 9 and was having a cavity filled. As the dentist was cleaning the plaque out of the cavity in order to put in the filling, the drill ran over my exposed nerve. When the drill hit the nerve I jumped swinging my arms out accidentally hitting the dentist almost knocking her off of her stool! Needless to say I got in trouble because my response was taken by the dentist then my mother as being purposeful when in actuality it was reactionary! All I knew was it hurt like hell, I got in trouble, and this led to a root canal! Thus, my lifelong animosity towards dentistry was born. If that wasn't enough, I had to go to a hospital for surgical dentistry to remove my impacted wisdom teeth! End of drama.
Fast forward 41 years. I brushed pretty much everyday but hated flossing. I mean hated flossing. Over the years I can recall going for a couple of cleanings but nothing more. So long story short, my teeth were failing me and I became one of those people that always had Ora-Gel, Ambesol, and the nastiest of all, clove oil on their person at all times! After friends finally convinced me to seek help I decided to listen to them which led me to Aspen Dental. My saving grace!
Now at 51 years of age I was in a position to need a top denture and 2 bridges on the bottom! I was scared to death when I realized I had to have 13 teeth removed! Yes, I panicked! My mind raced with fear of the shots and the pain! But mostly I panicked because of how I'd look afterwards. So I put on my big boy shorts, called my primary Doctor for a sedative and made that inevitable appointment to start my journey. I had but one request of Dr. Schafer. I didn't want my denture to make me look like Gary Bussey! I just wanted a nice set of chops!
The day of the tooth removal turned out to be much different than I'd imagined. I only felt the first 2 shots. Dr. Schafer and his assistant Paige were wonderful! I actually felt nothing during the procedure. The following 2 days I only felt sore. No screaming pain whatsoever! Yay!
The healing process has taken almost a year with the first 6 months being the truest period of adjustment. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a picnic by any means. However, here's what I've learned that I feel pertinent to my review. 1) Forgive yourself. I experienced much guilt that my lackadaisical attitude towards oral hygiene was so lax. I was livid that I put myself in this position. 2) Please understand from me that you'll get through it. Eventually you will be able to see the forest through the trees. 3) Weigh out your options. Is it better to risk living with bad oral hygiene that leads to physical problems? The bacteria that causes plaque can induce heart attacks. Let's not forget the stress from living with pain! 4) Do you want to SMILE?
About 3 months into my adventure I was sitting on my bed and I opened my nightstand. Looking down I saw all the bottles of Ambesol, tubes of Ora-Gel, and bottles of clove oil which is the nastiest tasting stuff. At first I started to laugh, then believe it or not, I began roar in laughter! All that pain was done! No more spitting nasty tasting junk in the sink. No more drinking room temperature water. No more pangs of sudden agony!I was free.
Finally, the most profound moment was around 6 months into my journey. I was on social media and saw a picture of myself on my friend's page. I immediately burst into tears! Why? Because in this photo I noticed something of a miracle. I was smiling! OMG! There is no photographic evidence of me smiling in a picture from about the age of 10 to the present! For me, that's the BIGGEST change! I can express myself naturally! No keeping my mouth shut during picture time with my family and friends! I started smiling almost everywhere I went! Even my family and friends took notice!
BOTTOMLINE, just do it! Dr. Schafer and all his staff have been exceedingly professional, pleasant, and accommodating! They understood my apprehension and fears and went above and beyond to make my journey as comfortable as possible! There's not enough words to express my gratitude for the staff at Aspen Dental Valparaiso! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Very quick and great staff
Expert oral surgery services in Valparaiso, IN
At Aspen Dental in Valparaiso, our oral surgeons and surgical team provide advanced oral and maxillofacial procedures for patients. Whether you need wisdom tooth removal, dental implant surgery, complex tooth extraction or treatment for jaw pain, you can get care close to home. Whether you walk in, call, or schedule ahead, expert care and real relief are closer than you think.
Our surgical procedures: Implants, extractions & more
Tooth extractions
When a tooth can’t be saved, extractions protect surrounding teeth and stop infection from spreading.Wisdom tooth removal
Impacted or painful wisdom teeth can cause swelling and damage to the adjacent teeth. Wisdom teeth removal relieves discomfort and prevents further problems.Dental implant placement
Missing teeth don’t have to hold you back. Dental implants restore your bite and your smile with stability that lasts.Treatment for jaw disorders
Providers can help with issues such as TMJ dysfunction that may cause pain, difficulty chewing, or headaches.Bone grafting procedures
Dental bone grafting restores bone that’s been lost, helping support dental implants and improve oral stability.Why choose Aspen Dental for oral surgery in Valparaiso, IN?
Same-day appointments
With same-day availability and flexible hours, seeing your provider is easy.Made affordable for you
99% of patients who apply for 3rd-party financing are approved.Most insurance accepted
Explore dental insurance plans we accept. We do not accept Medicaid.Oral surgery in Valparaiso, IN FAQs
Explore answers to common questions so you know what to expect—before, during and after your oral surgery visit at Aspen Dental in Valparaiso.If you need financing, your care team can walk you through in-office applications for 3rd-party lenders. 99% of patients are approved for financing when they apply through 3rd-party lenders. You can also explore the Aspen Dental Savings Plan¹ for additional savings options. Want to know more about what to expect? Read about how much oral surgery costs. ¹The Aspen Dental Savings Plan is NOT insurance. Please see plan terms and conditions for details.
Recovery depends on the procedure. For implants or complex surgeries, healing may take weeks. Your care team will give you detailed instructions, such as resting with your head elevated, applying ice packs and eating soft foods. Follow-ups ensure you are healing properly.
If sedation is part of your treatment, fasting for several hours may be required. Your care team will give you exact instructions ahead of time to keep your procedure safe.
Local anesthesia ensures you remain comfortable during treatment. You may feel pressure, but not sharp pain. After surgery, some tenderness is normal, but your care team will give you a pain plan that may include medication and home remedies to help manage discomfort.
Coverage varies depending on your plan and procedure. Many insurance plans cover extractions, implants and medically necessary surgeries. Aspen Dental accepts most insurance plans but does not accept Medicaid. Before any procedure, your care team will check your benefits, explain coverage and provide a written estimate. You can also review our list of accepted insurance providers to see if yours is included.
Yes. Oral surgery can stop infections, improve chewing and speech, and prevent issues from spreading. Procedures such as implants also help preserve bone in the jaw, supporting both oral and overall health.
Patients should avoid smoking, alcohol and using straws for several days. Hard or crunchy foods should be skipped until the area has healed. Your care team will give specific guidance based on your procedure.
Most swelling peaks within 48 hours and then improves. Using ice packs, resting and following after-care instructions help reduce swelling and speed recovery.