When Centuria-area residents are referred for oral surgery — or decide on their own to seek a consultation for implants, wisdom teeth, or another concern — one of the first questions that comes up is usually, "what does the process actually look like?" At True North Oral Surgery & Implants, we believe you should know the answer before you ever walk through our door. Our Forest Lake office, located at 1420 South Lake Street, sits about 50 minutes southwest of Centuria via US Highway 8 and Wisconsin Highway 35, and it is where most of our Polk County patients begin what is typically a well-defined, multi-step process.
This start-to-finish approach is the core of how we care for every patient we see — and it is a big part of why Centuria-area residents continue to choose True North for their specialty surgical needs.
True North Oral Surgery & Implants
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About Centuria, WI
Centuria is a small Polk County village of roughly 900 residents situated along Wisconsin Highway 35 and County Road I, about five miles north of St. Croix Falls. Like many communities in northwestern Wisconsin, Centuria grew up around a railroad stop in the late 1800s, and today its compact downtown, working farms, and access to state trails give it the quiet, unhurried character that small-town Polk County is known for.
Top landmarks in Centuria, WI include:
- Baker Orchard — A family-owned apple orchard and Orchard House Gallery operating along Wisconsin Highway 35 since 1976, known for its gourmet apples, seasonal fall festival, and hayrides through the apple trees.
- Brickhouse Getaway — A rustic wedding and events venue housed in a century-old barn just north of the village, widely loved across northwestern Wisconsin for its vintage charm, landscaped grounds, and overnight accommodations.
- Historic Downtown Centuria — The village's original Main Street, shaped by its late-1800s railroad heritage, with preserved brick storefronts, a community library, and local businesses that give Centuria its lasting small-town character.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Centuria Area Oral Surgeon Practice
Impacted wisdom teeth — third molars that cannot erupt properly because they are blocked by other teeth, positioned at an angle, or trapped beneath the gumline — do not usually resolve on their own. Left untreated, they can cause a range of problems, including pain, swelling, infection around the gum flap (a condition called pericoronitis), damage to neighboring molars, crowding and shifting of other teeth, and, in some cases, cysts or bone loss around the impacted tooth.
Even wisdom teeth that are not currently causing symptoms can develop problems over time, which is why many oral surgeons recommend wisdom teeth removal during the late teens or early twenties, when the roots are not fully formed and healing tends to be faster.
At a consultation, we can use CBCT imaging to show you exactly how your wisdom teeth are positioned and discuss whether removal is a good idea now or whether monitoring is a reasonable approach.
Most adults with missing teeth are candidates for dental implants, but a few factors influence how the process unfolds. The most important consideration is bone volume — there needs to be enough healthy jawbone to securely anchor the implant, and if the bone has shrunk due to long-term tooth loss, a bone graft may be needed before the implant can be placed.
Good overall health, controlled chronic conditions (such as diabetes), and non-smoking status also contribute to higher success rates. At your consultation, we will use CBCT imaging to evaluate bone volume and anatomy, review your medical history, and discuss any factors that might shape your treatment plan.
For most patients, the answer is straightforward — and in cases where it isn't, we will walk you through the steps that can set you up for a successful outcome.
Orthognathic surgery is a surgical procedure that repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both, to correct structural or functional problems that cannot be resolved through orthodontics alone. It is typically recommended for patients whose jaws do not meet properly — causing difficulty chewing, biting, or speaking — or whose jaw position contributes to breathing issues, sleep apnea, or chronic pain.
Orthognathic surgery is performed in collaboration with a qualified oral surgeon and often coordinated with an orthodontist, since braces or aligners are usually part of the overall treatment plan before and after surgery. Not every bite concern requires this level of intervention, and we take a thorough evaluation seriously before recommending it.
If orthognathic surgery is the right path, we use digital imaging and planning tools to map out the procedure in detail before treatment begins.
Good aftercare is one of the most important factors in a smooth recovery. For the first 24 hours after an extraction, bite gently on the gauze provided to help form a stable blood clot, and avoid spitting, rinsing vigorously, using a straw, or smoking — all of which can dislodge the clot and lead to a painful complication called dry socket.
Apply ice to the outside of your cheek in 20-minute intervals to manage swelling, stick with soft foods and cool liquids, and take prescribed medications as directed. Beginning the day after surgery, rinse gently with warm salt water several times a day, especially after meals.
Most patients feel significantly better within three to five days. If you notice severe pain, a bad taste, ongoing bleeding, or signs of infection, call our office — those are situations where an early conversation can prevent bigger problems down the road.
The drive from Centuria to our Forest Lake office typically takes about 50 minutes, following Wisconsin Highway 35 south to US Highway 8, then west across the St. Croix River and into Forest Lake. Our office at 1420 South Lake Street, Suite 200 has convenient on-site parking. For Centuria-area patients, we coordinate scheduling thoughtfully — combining consultation and imaging in one visit when possible, sending paperwork and pre-operative instructions ahead of time, and handling routine follow-up by phone when the clinical situation allows.
Ready to take the next step? Call our Forest Lake office at 651-578-7000 or request an appointment online, and we will look forward to welcoming you.