Oral Surgery in South Bend, IN — Services, Procedures & Answers

The South Bend office is at 3367 Douglas Rd., South Bend, IN 46635. The phone number for that location is (574) 272-8823 and the fax is (574) 277-1837. The practice also operates a second office at 117 S. Nappanee St. in Elkhart, IN 46514, reachable at (574) 212-2479.

Three surgeons practice here. Dr. William Hull is a board-certified oral surgeon whose clinical interests span a wide range of oral and maxillofacial treatments. Dr. Edward Collins is board-certified and practices full-scope oral and maxillofacial surgery with special training in full-mouth reconstruction. Dr. Lane Haws is a board-eligible surgeon focused on full-mouth reconstruction, dental implants, bone grafting, orthognathic jaw surgery, facial trauma, and oral pathology.

A general dentist handles routine care — cleanings, fillings, crowns, and straightforward extractions. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon completes several additional years of hospital-based surgical residency after dental school and is trained to operate on the mouth, jaws, and face, and to administer sedation and general anesthesia. Think of it like the difference between a family doctor and a surgeon: both are essential, but complex procedures such as impacted wisdom teeth, implant placement, jaw repositioning, and facial fracture repair belong in the surgeon's hands.

No. Many patients are referred by their general dentist or orthodontist, but a referral is not required. You can request a consultation directly by calling the South Bend office at (574) 272-8823 or by submitting a request through the practice website.

Most patients have wisdom teeth evaluated in their mid-to-late teens and removed between roughly ages 16 and 25. At that stage the tooth roots are not yet fully formed and the surrounding bone is less dense, which usually means an easier procedure and faster recovery. Removal is still possible and routinely performed at older ages — it simply tends to involve more healing time.

An impacted wisdom tooth is one that cannot fully break through the gum because there is not enough room in the jaw or because it is angled sideways. Picture the last car trying to squeeze into a full parking row — it ends up wedged against its neighbor. Impacted teeth can crowd adjacent molars, trap bacteria under the gum flap, cause pain and swelling, and in some cases form cysts. A panoramic X-ray or 3D scan shows the position clearly and determines whether removal is recommended.

Most patients feel noticeably better after three to four days and return to normal activity within about a week. Swelling typically peaks around day two or three, then declines. Full closure of the extraction sites takes several weeks. Following the post-operative instructions — soft foods, no smoking, no drinking straws, gentle rinsing, and prescribed medication — is the single biggest factor in a smooth recovery.

Dry socket occurs when the blood clot protecting an extraction site is dislodged too early, exposing the underlying bone and nerve endings. It usually shows up three to five days after surgery as a sharp, throbbing ache that may radiate to the ear. The clot is basically a natural bandage, so anything that pulls or disturbs it raises the risk — smoking, vaping, sucking through a straw, vigorous spitting, or aggressive rinsing in the first several days. If it happens, the office can place a medicated dressing that relieves the pain quickly.

Options range from local anesthetic that numbs only the surgical area, to nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for mild relaxation, to IV sedation, to general anesthesia for more involved procedures or highly anxious patients. The surgeons and clinical team hold anesthesia credentials and select the option based on the complexity of the procedure, your medical history, and your comfort level. Any patient receiving IV sedation or general anesthesia must arrange for a responsible adult to drive them home.

You can be. With IV sedation or general anesthesia, most patients have no memory of the procedure at all. Simpler procedures such as a single straightforward extraction can often be completed comfortably with local anesthetic alone while you remain fully awake. The anesthesia plan is decided together during your consultation.

A dental implant is a small titanium post surgically placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Over several months the bone fuses to the post in a process called osseointegration, creating a stable foundation. A custom crown, bridge, or denture is then attached on top. Structurally it works like a fence post set in concrete: the visible part matters, but the anchor below the surface is what makes it hold.

The implant post itself is designed to be a permanent replacement and frequently lasts several decades or a lifetime with proper care. The crown or prosthetic attached to it is the part more likely to need replacement over time due to normal wear, typically after 10 to 15 years or more. Daily brushing and flossing, regular dental cleanings, and avoiding tobacco significantly extend implant lifespan.

Most adults in reasonable general health with adequate jawbone volume are candidates. The evaluation looks at bone height and width, gum health, medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, medications affecting bone metabolism, and tobacco use. Patients who lack sufficient bone are frequently still candidates after a bone graft. A 3D scan taken during consultation gives the definitive answer for your specific case.

Cost depends on how many teeth are being replaced, whether bone grafting or extractions are needed first, the type of restoration attached, and the anesthesia used. Because those variables differ so widely from patient to patient, an accurate figure requires an exam. Oral Surgery Michiana provides a written treatment plan with pricing after consultation and offers financing options; a dental implant pricing guide is also available on the practice website.

Coverage varies widely by plan. Many dental plans contribute toward extractions, bone grafting, and part of implant treatment, and some medical plans cover procedures related to trauma, pathology, or jaw function. The practice's team reviews your benefits before treatment and provides an estimate of what insurance is expected to pay versus your out-of-pocket portion. Financing options are available for the remaining balance.

Full mouth dental implants replace an entire arch of teeth — upper, lower, or both — using a set of strategically placed implants that support a fixed bridge or prosthesis. Rather than one implant per tooth, a smaller number of implants distributes the load across the arch. This is the treatment used for patients who have lost most of their teeth or are facing removal of failing teeth, and it restores chewing function without the movement or palate coverage of traditional dentures.

TeethXpress is a same-day implant procedure in which implants are placed and a fixed set of teeth is attached during the same appointment. Patients leave with functional, non-removable teeth instead of waiting months in a temporary denture while the implants heal. Not every patient qualifies — adequate bone and implant stability at placement are required — so candidacy is confirmed during evaluation.

Traditional dentures rest on the gums and rely on suction or adhesive, which allows them to shift while eating and speaking. Implant-supported dentures snap onto or are fixed to implants anchored in the jawbone. The difference is comparable to a rug lying loose on a floor versus one tacked down at the corners. Implant-supported options also help preserve jawbone, which shrinks over time when nothing stimulates it.

Jawbone begins to shrink once a tooth is lost because the bone no longer receives pressure from chewing. If too much has been lost, there is not enough width or height to hold an implant securely. A bone graft rebuilds that foundation using the patient's own bone, donor bone, or synthetic grafting material, which the body gradually replaces with new bone. Healing typically takes a few months before the implant is placed, though in some cases grafting and implant placement occur in one visit.

PRF is made from a small sample of the patient's own blood, spun in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets and growth factors into a fibrin matrix. Placed into a surgical site, it acts as a natural healing accelerator — the body's own repair signals, concentrated and delivered directly where they're needed. Because it comes from the patient, there is no risk of rejection or disease transmission.

BMP is a purified protein that signals the body to generate new bone at the treatment site. It is used as an alternative to harvesting bone from another part of the body, which means no second surgical site and less post-operative discomfort. It is commonly applied in sinus lifts, ridge augmentation, and other cases where significant bone volume must be rebuilt before implant placement.

Corrective jaw surgery is recommended when the upper and lower jaws are misaligned to a degree that braces alone cannot fix. Signs include difficulty chewing or biting, chronic jaw joint pain, an open bite where the front teeth don't meet, a significantly receding or protruding chin, breathing problems including sleep apnea, and facial imbalance. Treatment is usually coordinated with an orthodontist, with braces before and after surgery to fine-tune the bite.

The surgeons treat facial lacerations, fractured jaws, broken cheek and eye socket bones, fractured noses, knocked-out or displaced teeth, and injuries to the bone supporting the teeth. These injuries commonly result from motor vehicle accidents, sports, falls, and workplace incidents. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specifically trained to repair these injuries with attention to both function and facial appearance.

Handle the tooth by the crown, never the root. Rinse it gently with milk or saline if it is dirty — do not scrub it. If possible, place it back into the socket and bite gently on gauze; otherwise store it in milk or in the injured person's own saliva, not in water. Get to a dentist, oral surgeon, or emergency room immediately. The odds of saving the tooth drop sharply after the first hour, so speed matters more than anything else.

Oral pathology is the evaluation of abnormal tissue in the mouth, jaws, and face. See a specialist if you notice a sore that has not healed within two weeks, a red or white patch, a lump or thickening in the cheek, lips, or neck, persistent hoarseness, numbness, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained bleeding. Most findings turn out to be benign, but a biopsy is the only way to know for certain — and early evaluation dramatically improves outcomes when something serious is present.

Pre-prosthetic surgery prepares the mouth so a denture or partial fits comfortably and stays in place. It can involve smoothing or reshaping the bony ridge, removing excess or loose gum tissue, removing bony growths, or exposing bone that has been covered by tissue. It's essentially leveling the ground before laying a floor — a denture only fits well if the surface underneath is even.

Canines are important for biting and for guiding the bite, so orthodontists prefer to bring an impacted canine into position rather than remove it. The surgeon uncovers the buried tooth and bonds a small bracket and chain to it; the orthodontist then applies gentle traction over several months to guide the tooth into the arch. This is most commonly performed in adolescents, when the tooth still has strong potential to move.

The visit includes a review of your medical and dental history, a clinical exam, and imaging such as a panoramic X-ray or 3D cone beam scan. The surgeon then explains findings, treatment options, anesthesia choices, and expected recovery, and you receive a customized treatment plan with cost and financing information. Bring your photo ID, insurance cards, a list of current medications, and any referral paperwork or recent X-rays from your dentist.

Follow the fasting instructions given by the office, typically no food or drink for a set number of hours beforehand. Wear loose, comfortable clothing with sleeves that push up easily, remove contact lenses and jewelry, and take routine medications only as directed. Arrange a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for the remainder of the day. Tell the office about all medications and supplements you take, including blood thinners.

Yes. Common pediatric and adolescent procedures include wisdom teeth evaluation and removal, exposure and bracketing of impacted canines for orthodontic treatment, extraction of teeth for orthodontic crowding, treatment of facial injuries, and evaluation of oral lesions. Parents or guardians are welcome to accompany minors and are involved throughout the treatment planning discussion.

The Douglas Road office serves South Bend and the surrounding Michiana area, including Mishawaka, Granger, Notre Dame, Osceola, New Carlisle, Lakeville, Walkerton, North Liberty, Roseland, and nearby southwestern Michigan communities such as Niles and Edwardsburg. Patients closer to Elkhart County are often seen at the Elkhart office on S. Nappanee Street.

Call the South Bend office at (574) 272-8823, call the Elkhart office at (574) 212-2479, or submit a consultation request through oralsurgerymichiana.com/contact-us. Referring dentists and specialists can submit patient referrals through the online referral form on the practice website.