Oral surgery in Edwardsville, Illinois
Comfort-focused Oral Surgery with Sedation Options When Needed
- Feel informed and confident as your personalized care plan takes shape
- Restore comfort and function when structural dental problems affect daily life
- Address multiple procedures in one visit with sedation support
Patient Stories
Real Smiles, Real People, Real Change
Some things you have to see to believe, like the look on someone’s face when they spot their new smile for the first time. Watch our patients share, in their own words, what their experience was really like and how it changed the way they smile.
Your Best Smile Starts Here
In 60-Seconds, Determine Your Dental Implant Eligibility.
Surgical care, clearly explained
What Is Oral Surgery?
Oral surgery is dental care that uses surgical techniques to treat conditions affecting your teeth, gums, or jawbone. The process begins with an examination and treatment planning, which may include detailed imaging when needed. During a procedure, the area is numbed, and a dental professional works through the mouth using carefully planned techniques. Healing follows as tissues recover, with follow-up care based on the procedure performed.
- Uses surgical techniques inside the mouth to address dental conditions.
- Planning may include three-dimensional cone beam imaging for implant procedures.
- Local numbing and sedation options can be part of surgical care.
Services We Offer
Oral Surgery Services We Offer
Oral surgery needs can feel uncertain, especially when a tooth must be removed or your jaw needs added support. We offer wisdom teeth removal, tooth extractions, bone grafting, and sinus lifts, with advanced digital imaging available for implant planning and clear guidance throughout your care.
If wisdom teeth become problematic, removal may protect nearby teeth; we explain what to expect and whether this procedure fits your oral health needs.
Popular
Removing a problematic tooth can protect your smile and support oral health when restoration is not the right option; we explain your choices.
Bone grafting can rebuild jawbone volume after bone loss, creating support for dental implants and helping restore jaw structure as part of a personalized plan.
A sinus lift can add bone support in the upper jaw, helping make dental implant placement possible when existing bone volume is limited.
Move Forward With Confidence
Benefits of Oral Surgery
Oral surgery can feel like a major decision, especially when a dental concern has affected your daily life for some time. We make the experience easier to understand with clear planning, thoughtful guidance, and judgment-free support. You can approach the next step knowing your care is shaped around your needs and overall goals.
Return to Comfortable Eating
When a dental concern makes chewing difficult, meals can become stressful and limited. Oral surgery can help address the underlying problem, so you can work toward enjoying a wider range of foods with greater comfort and confidence.
Speak and Smile Freely
Missing or damaged teeth can make you hesitate during conversations, photos, or everyday interactions. Restoring your oral health can help you speak and smile more naturally, giving you greater ease at work, with friends, and at home.
Protect Your Long-term Oral Health
An untreated dental problem can affect more than one area of your mouth. Addressing it may help protect nearby teeth, support healthier oral function, and reduce the chance that a small concern disrupts your daily life.
Build a Stronger Smile Foundation
Tooth loss can affect the jaw and the way your remaining teeth work together. Rebuilding a healthy foundation can support chewing, speaking, and future smile restoration while helping you feel more secure about your oral health.
Move Through Life with Confidence
When discomfort or visible dental concerns hold you back, ordinary moments can feel harder than they should. Improving your oral health can help you participate more comfortably in meals, conversations, photographs, and professional settings.
Feel Supported Through Each Step
Oral surgery can feel overwhelming when you are unsure what comes next. Clear guidance and thoughtful planning can help you feel informed, prepared, and more at ease as you move toward a healthier, more functional smile.
Remove Troubling Teeth and Heal With Support at Every Step
Moving forward with confidence
Is Oral Surgery Right for You?
Many people wonder whether Oral Surgery fits their needs, especially when care feels complex or unfamiliar. Use the guidance below to reflect on your concerns and see whether a conversation about personalized surgical care could bring clarity, comfort, and confidence.
Addressing a Troublesome Dental Concern
A dental concern that affects comfort or function may call for more than routine care. Oral Surgery can support a personalized plan, helping you understand your options and feel prepared for what comes next.
Preparing for Tooth Replacement
When tooth replacement requires surgical planning, Oral Surgery may be part of your care. Advanced CBCT imaging and implant surgery at Hite Family Dentistry support a carefully considered path toward restored function.
Returning After Delayed Care
Past dental experiences can make surgical care feel intimidating. Our judgment-free approach meets you where you are, while Oral Surgery may help address complex needs with clear explanations and comfort-focused support.
Do Any of These Feel Familiar?
Questioning whether you qualify is normal, particularly when your needs do not fit a simple description. Recognizing yourself in one or more situations can help you understand when Oral Surgery may deserve a closer look.
- You keep putting off dental care because it feels overwhelming
- Cold drinks trigger discomfort that makes you avoid them
- Blood appears when you brush around one tooth
- You keep ignoring a chipped tooth in your smile
- A toothache has lingered for several weeks
- Your child needs dental care that feels less frightening
Clarity for Your Next Chapter
Before and After Results
Natural Results That Build Confidence
From small refinements to full-mouth restoration, these results show what careful planning and years of hands-on work can do. The smiles look balanced and natural, and the patients behind them left with stronger chewing, easier meals, and real confidence in how they look.
Before
After
After
After
Your Transformation Starts Here
Schedule an appointment and start your smile journey today.
Same Day
Emergency Appointments
98%
Satisfaction Rate
40+
Years Combined Experience
500+
Implants Placed
3
Sedation Options
4.8
Average Rating
What to expect
The Oral Surgery Process in Three Clear Steps
Oral surgery can feel more manageable when the plan is clear. We explain what your care may involve, answer questions openly, and keep your comfort in view, so you can approach your appointment with greater confidence and a clearer sense of what comes next.
1
Evaluation and Planning
Your appointment starts with a conversation about your concerns and a thorough review of your oral health. When implant or bone support planning is needed, advanced cone beam imaging creates detailed 3-D views of your mouth and jaw. We explain your options clearly, giving you time to ask questions without feeling rushed.
2
Surgical Care
Once your plan is ready, your procedure may address a problematic tooth, place a dental implant, or rebuild bone needed for support. We numb the treatment area for implant surgery, and sedation options are available for a more relaxing experience. Clear guidance helps you feel prepared as your care moves forward.
3
Healing and Restored Function
Healing and follow-up vary according to the care you receive. We support you as your mouth heals and explain what to expect as your restoration comes together. With implant care, several months may allow the implant to fuse with the bone before restoration placement. You move forward with a clearer path toward comfortable eating, speaking, and smiling.
Confidence for Everyday Moments
Smile Advantage Plan
Preventive Care Without the Premiums
Dental insurance is not the only way to stay on top of your teeth. Our Smile Advantage Plan covers your preventive care for one annual fee and takes 20% off everything else at our Edwardsville, IL, office. Pick the plan that matches your mouth rather than the one an insurance company assigned you.
Child Plan
For patients age 13 and younger
$
339
/year
- 2 routine cleanings each year
- 2 routine cleanings each year
- Digital x-rays and bitewings as needed
- 1 emergency visit, with exam and x-rays included
- Up to 2 fluoride treatments when indicated
- 20% off any additional treatment
Adult Plan
For healthy smiles needing regular care
$
389
/year
- 2 routine cleanings each year
- 2 full dental exams
- Digital x-rays and bitewings as needed
- 1 emergency visit, with exam and x-rays included
- Oral cancer screening
- 20% off any additional treatment
Gum Health Plan
For patients managing gum disease
$
689
/year
- 4 periodontal maintenance visits per year
- 2 full dental exams
- Digital x-rays and bitewings as needed
- 1 emergency visit, with exam and x-rays included
- Oral cancer screening
- 20% off any additional treatment
- $200 off a sleep apnea appliance
Cleanings, x-rays, and fluoride treatments are provided as determined by your dentist. If periodontal infection is present, the Gum Health Plan may be required at an additional charge. The Smile Advantage Plan is a savings plan, not dental insurance. It cannot be combined with any other insurance and is valid only at our Edwardsville office; care from other providers and specialists is not included. Plan fees are subject to change. For complete details, see the Plan Agreement.
Become a Smile Advantage Member Today
One annual fee, no waiting period, and no claim forms. Your first cleaning can happen at your first visit.
Financing Options
Flexible Dental Financing That Fits Your Life
At Hite Family Dentistry, we offer flexible financing and in-house payment plans that make quality care easier to afford. You focus on your smile, and we’ll help take the stress out of paying for it.
Bite-sized payments, big smiles! Cherry Payment Plans offer easy-to-use financing options to make your dental care more accessible.
No credit score impact until you select a plan.
Streamline your dental care investment with Proceed Finance. Their flexible plans make achieving your smile goals easy and affordable.
No credit score impact until you select a plan.
Designed for everyday dental costs, with a quick check you can complete right at our front desk
No credit score impact until you select a plan.
CareCredit, a trusted healthcare financing option, offers convenient payment plans to fit your budget. Invest in your oral health with confidence.
No credit score impact until you select a plan.
Another route for spreading a larger treatment plan across fixed monthly payments over a longer term.
No credit score impact until you select a plan.
Get Pre-Qualified Today and Start Your Care With Confidence
Your questions answered
Oral Surgery FAQs
Oral surgery can raise practical questions about comfort, healing, timing, and whether a procedure is right for you. We review your oral health, explain what to expect, and discuss available options clearly. Reach out to our Edwardsville office with anything these answers do not cover.
What does Oral Surgery include?
Oral Surgery can include tooth extraction, dental implant surgery, bone grafting, sinus lifts, and procedures connected to full mouth reconstruction. The right approach depends on your oral health and goals. We begin with an evaluation, then explain the recommended procedure in clear, straightforward language.
How much does Oral Surgery cost?
The cost of Oral Surgery varies according to the procedure and your individual needs. We review the recommended care and explain available payment options before treatment. For full mouth reconstruction, our team can also help you sort through insurance and financing questions without adding pressure.
Will Oral Surgery be painful?
For implant surgery, we numb the treatment area so you do not feel the procedure itself. We also offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation for patients who need additional support. We will discuss comfort options with you before your procedure begins.
How long does Oral Surgery take?
Timing depends on the type and scope of your procedure. Implant care may include a consultation, 3-D imaging, surgery, several months of healing, and restoration placement. During your planning appointment, we will outline the stages involved and answer questions about your schedule.
Am I a good candidate for Oral Surgery?
A consultation helps us determine whether a procedure fits your oral health, jaw structure, and goals. For implant planning, we use cone beam imaging to capture detailed 3-D images of your mouth and jaw. These findings help us discuss suitable options with you.
What happens during an Oral Surgery appointment?
Your appointment may begin with an oral health evaluation and advanced imaging. For implant surgery, we use a surgical guide to place the implant in the jawbone after numbing the area. We explain each step beforehand, so you know what to expect during care.
What is recovery like after Oral Surgery?
Recovery depends on the procedure performed. Implant placement includes a healing period of several months while the implant fuses with the bone. We provide instructions for caring for the treated area and schedule follow-up care when needed to monitor your progress.
What alternatives are there to Oral Surgery?
Alternatives depend on the concern being treated. A damaged tooth may be addressed with a filling, bonding, root canal, or crown, while missing teeth may be replaced with a bridge or denture. We compare appropriate choices with you before recommending a procedure.
Can sedation help if I feel nervous about Oral Surgery?
Yes, sedation may help make Oral Surgery feel more manageable for patients with dental anxiety. Our options include nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation. We listen to your concerns, explain what each option involves, and help plan a comfortable, judgment-free appointment.
Why might I need bone grafting or a sinus lift?
Bone grafting and sinus lifts can rebuild or improve bone support when it is needed for dental implants. We use advanced digital imaging to assess your bone structure and plan care. These procedures may create a stronger foundation before implant placement, depending on your needs.
Still Have Questions?
Can't find what you're looking for? Don't worry, we are here to help! Reach out to us and we would love to assist you personally.
Meet Our Doctors
Experienced Dentists Who Genuinely Love What They Do
At Hite Family Dentistry, we pair serious clinical skill with a warm, easygoing atmosphere. Our doctors focus on comfortable, patient-first care, with special attention to anyone who feels anxious about visiting the dentist.
DMD
Dr. Hite brings a hands-on, detail-focused approach shaped by his early years in dental lab work. With advanced training in implants, endodontics, and soft-tissue laser dentistry, he loves using technology like same-day crowns and 3D printing to help you eat comfortably and smile with confidence. He’s a perfectionist with a good sense of humor.
Practicing since 2005, Dr. Kniffin has a special heart for patients who’ve avoided the dentist for years. She takes real pride in helping anxious patients complete treatment comfortably, often using sedation to ease the process. Inspired by her mother’s long medical career, she’s driven daily by the difference she can make in your life.

A 2024 graduate of SIU School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Blickhan brings a well-rounded background in biological sciences to her care. Her greatest passion is helping patients move past dental anxiety, turning nervous first visits into genuine confidence. A natural problem-solver, she pays close attention to the details that make your experience better.
Ready to Meet Your Dentist?
Our team takes the time to listen, plan carefully, and treat you like family from day one.
Our Patients Say It Best
Real Smiles From People We Treat Like Family
You’ll find that our patients describe more than great dental work; they talk about feeling heard, welcomed, and cared for like family. Their words reflect the comfortable, judgment-free experience we work to create at every single visit.
staff is always professional and make me feel like part of the family. always a pleasure coming in for work.
Brian Kauhl
3 days ago
Very professional and a one stop shop for all of your needs! Cutting edge procedures and high tech and current equipment
Bill Davison
4 days ago
Very professional and clean! Everyone I encountered was personable!
Linda Curless
4 days ago
My hygienist, Michelle, was very friendly. Good conversation. No cavities or fillings need replacing!
Kevin Wiese
4 days ago
They did a wonderful job forming my gums and my mouth is healthier and I’m much happier. I will let buy anyone who has any denture needs or dental needs. Please come see them. They will take care of you.
James Webb
5 days ago
Michelle is the best hygienist on the planet!I can’t say enough good things about Michelle at Hite Family Dental. My cleaning was extremely thorough and honestly the most comfortable one I’ve ever had. My teeth have never felt so good!What really set Michelle apart was her knowledge. She took the time to explain everything she was looking for and why it mattered, so I left feeling informed instead of just rushed through. She made me feel completely at ease and clearly takes pride in her work.If you’re looking for a hygienist who is skilled, kind, and genuinely cares about your oral health, ask for Michelle. I wouldn’t trust my teeth to anyone else. Highly recommend!
Steve Anderson
6 days ago
Your Smile Could Be the Next Story We Share
Come Visit Us
Your Neighborhood Dental Home in Edwardsville
We’re conveniently located on Lewis Road in the heart of Edwardsville, just off Route 157 and easy to reach from home, work, or school. Whether you’re near SIUE, downtown, or the surrounding neighborhoods, you’ll find friendly, personalized care close by.
Find Us Easily and Plan Your Next Visit Today
Dental Blog
Helpful Guidance From Our Team
We share clear, trustworthy information on dental implants, same-day crowns, sleep apnea treatment, and daily oral care, so you can feel more confident about your next step. Every article is written to help you make smart choices for your smile and your health.
- Oct 28, 2026
Explore dental implants for facial aesthetics and learn how replacing missing teeth may support your lips, cheeks, bite, and overall…
- Oct 27, 2026
The lifespan of dental restorations varies by material, tooth condition, bite forces, and daily habits. Learn when a filling or…
- Oct 26, 2026
Explore cosmetic dentistry for small teeth to learn how bonding, veneers, gum contouring, or crowns may help improve your smile…
A stronger foundation for your smile
A Stronger Foundation Can Help You Eat, Speak, and Smile with Confidence
- A stronger jaw foundation for implants
- Comfort options for a calmer procedure
- A temporary smile during healing
