Pediatric Oral Surgery

What conditions do we treat?

Our providers treat a wide range of diseases, including:

Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie)

• Tongue-tie is a condition present at birth where a band of tissue attaches the tip of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This can result in difficulty with feeding, swallowing, or speech. Our surgeons can often treat this condition with a minor procedure in the office.

Impacted teeth and other dental disorders

• Some children do not have enough room to allow for their permanent teeth to grow in completely. Teeth that are unable to grow in completely are considered to be impacted.
• Wisdom teeth are the most common teeth to be impacted. Our surgeons are experts in the management of wisdom teeth. Please click for additional information on wisdom teeth.
• Impacted canine teeth can affect your child’s smile for a lifetime. Working as a team, your orthodontist and oral surgeon can develop a plan to help move canine teeth into the right position.

Discrepancies in jaw growth causing bite problems

• Some children’s jaws grow abnormally, resulting in a large overbite, underbite, open bite, or facial asymmetry. This affects your child’s ability to eat or speak. Our surgeons are experts in corrective surgery to rectify facial imbalance and improve jaw function. Please click for additional information on corrective jaw surgery.

Jaw joint disorders

• Some children develop pain, clicking, or limited mouth opening related to problems with their jaw joints. We offer a wide range of treatment options. Please click for additional information on temporomandibular joint disorders.

Facial trauma

• Rockcliff oral surgeons provide almost half of all facial trauma care for Western North Carolina. We are experts in pediatric facial reconstruction after injury. Please click for additional information on facial trauma.

Cysts and tumors of the jaws

• Jaw tumors and cysts are relatively rare growths that develop in the bones of the mouth and face. When left untreated, they can result in gradual destruction of the jaws with significant impact on facial growth. Our specialists can help. Please click for additional information on cysts and tumors of the jaw.

Will my child need to be put to sleep?

Each child is unique – with different levels of maturity and anxiety about surgery. We will work closely with you to develop a plan that is best suited to your child’s emotional and surgical needs.

Simple procedures in older children with sufficient maturity can be completed under local anesthesia. Nitrous oxide or oral medications can be used to reduce anxiety and help ensure a pleasant experience.

Children with significant anxiety, emotional immaturity, or developmental delays may require sedation. Drs. Parworth, Logan, Hayes, Burgon, Warburton, and Consky are experienced and trained in the delivery of pediatric sedation. We also employ the services of a board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist with younger patients or with complex surgical care. Some patients will need to be treated at Mission Hospital or the Asheville Surgery Center.

What should I tell my child before surgery?

When children understand their care, their experience tends to be more positive. It’s important to be honest. Ask your child what they understand about the surgery. Answer any questions your child may have and focus on what they will be awake for and remember. Use words and phrases appropriate for their age and level of maturity. Younger children may not be ready to hear all the details of the procedure but should be reassured that the doctors and other staff are there to help. The best way to reassure your child is to be relaxed and calm yourself.