La Crosse
3143 State Road Suite 100, La Crosse, WI 54601
Why choose us
Benefits of Oral Surgery
Care Close to Home
Our general dentists handle oral surgery right here in the Coulee Region, so you can stay with the team you already know.
No Referral Needed
You can call us directly to schedule an oral surgery visit without a referral first.
Sedation Options Available
We offer nitrous oxide and IV sedation for adults to help you feel more relaxed during treatment.
The Ascent Experience
Warm towelettes, blankets, headphones and essential oils help make your visit more comfortable from start to finish.
Clear, Judgment-Free Answers
We explain every step in plain language and never judge how long it has been since your last visit.
When a tooth is broken beyond repair, badly decayed, or standing in the way of your next step toward a healthy smile, you need a clear plan and a team you trust. At Rivertown Dental, we provide oral surgery for patients across Wisconsin's Coulee Region from our offices in La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua. We keep this care close to home, so you can get treatment from the same team that already knows your smile, without a referral out of the area.
Oral surgery covers procedures that involve the teeth, gums and surrounding structures of the mouth, beyond routine cleanings and fillings. For many of our patients, it means a tooth extraction. That could be a tooth too damaged to restore with a filling, crown or root canal, or a tooth that has become a source of ongoing pain or infection. Removing it can be the first step toward comfort and a healthier mouth.
Oral surgery also connects closely to the rest of the care we offer. When a tooth is removed, our team can talk with you about replacement options, including dental implants, bridges and other tooth replacement. Because we place and restore implants in-house, and because our Implant Clinic in Holmen handles full-arch care, many patients can move from extraction to replacement planning within one familiar practice. Our general dentists provide this care, and you don't need a referral to schedule a visit.
Good candidates for oral surgery are people whose dental problem can't be solved with a more conservative treatment. During your exam, we look at the tooth, the gums around it and your digital X-rays, then explain what we see in plain language. If saving the tooth is a realistic option, we will tell you. If removal makes more sense, we walk you through why and what comes next.
It also helps to share your full health history, any medications you take and any worries you have about dental visits. Many adults feel nervous about surgery, and that is normal. We never judge anyone for how long it has been since their last appointment. Our job is to understand where you are now and help you feel prepared.
How do you keep patients comfortable during oral surgery?
We keep you comfortable with sedation options suited to your needs and a calm, unhurried approach. For adults, we offer IV sedation, which many patients choose for longer procedures or when anxiety makes dental visits difficult. Nitrous oxide is also available and is the sedation option we use for children.
Comfort is also built into every visit through what we call The Ascent Experience: advanced care, genuine comfort, and a better experience from start to finish. That might mean a warm towelette, a blanket, a support pillow, headphones or essential oils while you are in the chair. These small touches matter, especially on a day you may have been dreading. Here is what patients often appreciate about having oral surgery with us:
- Care from a team that already knows your dental history
- Sedation options, including IV sedation for adults
- Clear explanations before, during and after treatment
- Tooth replacement planning available within the same practice
What is recovery like after oral surgery?
Recovery is usually a matter of following your aftercare instructions and giving your mouth time to heal. Before you leave, we explain how to care for the treatment area, what to eat in the first days and which activities to avoid. If you have IV sedation, plan for someone to drive you home.
Healing looks a little different for everyone, so we encourage you to call us with any questions as you recover. If something doesn't feel right, reach out. If you have a dental emergency, call the office closest to you for the earliest opening. We work to see emergencies the same day when our schedule allows, and we will do everything we can to accommodate same-day, next-day or walk-in care at any of our four offices. Once you have healed, we can continue with the next phase of your plan, such as an implant, bridge or other restoration.
How can I pay for oral surgery?
We work with many dental insurance plans, so please call your office to confirm your coverage. We also welcome self-pay patients and will review costs with you before treatment begins.
For patients who want to spread out payments, we offer third-party financing through Cherry, CareCredit and Proceed Finance, subject to credit qualification and approval. If you don't have insurance, our Rivertown Membership Plans, also called the VIP Program, include Classic, Deluxe and Kids plans. They cover cleanings, exams, X-rays and fluoride, plus a discount on treatment. Membership plans cannot be combined with insurance, and our team is happy to help you compare options.
If a tooth has been bothering you, or you have been putting off treatment you know you need, we would love to help. Call the Rivertown Dental office nearest you in La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia or Viroqua to schedule a visit. We will listen, answer your questions and help you take the next step with confidence. Dentistry, Done Differently.
The process
What to expect
- 1
Exam and Consultation
We examine the area, take digital X-rays and talk through your options and comfort choices with you.
- 2
Your Procedure
Our dentist completes your treatment at your Rivertown office, with sedation if you and your dentist decide it is right for you.
- 3
Aftercare and Follow-Up
We send you home with clear care instructions and stay available for questions as you heal.
Questions
Oral Surgery FAQs
Do I need a referral to have oral surgery at Rivertown Dental?
No, you do not need a referral for oral surgery at any of our offices in La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia or Viroqua. Our general dentists provide oral surgery, including tooth extractions, so you can get care close to home in the Coulee Region. Just call the office nearest you to schedule an exam.
Does insurance cover oral surgery, and how can I pay for it?
Coverage depends on your plan, and we work with many dental insurance plans, so please call your Rivertown Dental office to confirm your benefits. We also welcome self-pay patients and offer third-party financing through Cherry, CareCredit and Proceed Finance, subject to qualification and approval. If you do not have insurance, ask us about our Rivertown Membership Plans, also called the VIP Program.
Will oral surgery hurt?
We numb the area thoroughly and focus on keeping you as comfortable as possible throughout your procedure. Depending on your needs, we offer nitrous oxide sedation for children and IV sedation for adults who want extra help relaxing. Small comforts like warm towelettes, blankets, headphones and essential oils are part of how we care for you at every visit.
What is recovery like after oral surgery?
Recovery depends on the type of procedure and your overall health, so your dentist will walk you through what to expect before you leave. We give you clear aftercare instructions and are here to answer questions as you heal. If anything feels unusual afterward, call the office where you were treated.
How do I know if I need oral surgery, or if there is another option?
The best way to know is an exam with one of our dentists, who will explain your choices in plain language and without judgment. Sometimes a tooth can be saved with treatments like a filling, crown, root canal therapy or gum disease treatment, and other times removing it is the healthier choice. If a tooth does need to come out, we can also talk with you about tooth replacement options such as bridges or dental implants.