If you’ve never undergone dental oral surgery before, the idea may sound a bit intimidating. Surgery is generally considered a major event.
If you had surgery on your stomach, you’d need to schedule a lot of recovery time, probably. Dental surgery is very different! Whether you are having a dental post installed, your wisdom teeth removed, or a dental bone graft, the situation is very different.
Understanding Oral Surgery: What You Need to Know
Dental oral surgery is actually very common. Here at Rockville Dental Arts, we are equipped to handle oral surgery procedures in-house for our patients.
What does that mean? It means that while many dentists may send you to another facility to have your procedure done, we are professionals experienced in handling all surgical procedures.
The same dentist who discussed your oral health plan with you and knows exactly what you want will then be with you to see it gets done right so you have the beautiful smile you dream of.
While having your dental surgery performed at the same office can be comforting, you probably still have questions! Like, what happens after I find the right oral surgeon near me? What are jaw implants? How long will my procedure take?
If I need wisdom teeth removal near me, will I be able to go back to work soon?
First of all, our dental specialist is here for you. Don’t be afraid to contact our office any time with questions about your dental health. Now, we’ll get into answering some of your questions about dental surgery so you can be better informed about how this situation works.
How do I find the right oral surgeon near me?
You want to be sure your dental surgeon is someone you are comfortable with and trust. One way to start your search is to ask your neighbors, friends, or family if they have anyone they recommend. Asking people locally is a great way to find the best dentist for wisdom teeth removal near me.
You can also always look online to find a dental specialist. When you do, check out the dentist’s reviews and take a good look at their website. Make sure they went to a reputable dental school.
Do they seem helpful? Does their site have information on the types of procedures you may need done? Take a look at their testimonials on their website and the dentist’s qualifications as well.
The last step is to meet with the oral surgeon near me that you found in your search and get a consultation. Meet the office staff. Ask them all of your most important questions about your dental health and discuss what they may be able to do for you.
Do you get a good feel for them? Are you comfortable in their chair? These are important things when considering dental oral surgery.
How long will my dental surgery take?
This varies greatly depending on the procedure and the type of oral surgery.
This can also take a little less time when your oral surgeon is experienced. If you’re looking for something simple, like wisdom teeth removal near me, this can often take less than an hour in total.
The actual tooth extraction may take only a few minutes for each tooth. A dental post takes less than 15 minutes. An experienced dental surgeon is worth an extra cost because you do not want a long drawn out painful surgery.
When do you require oral surgery? Any time you need a tooth removed, wisdom tooth extracted, a dental post placed or a dental bone graft.
Teeth that have extensive tooth decay may even require an emergency oral surgeon.
Why do people get jaw implants?
Jaw implants are done as part of a cosmetic dental procedure to replace all your missing teeth. If you are missing all your teeth or you have plenty of bad teeth, this may have bothered you for a long time. An experienced dental surgeon can insert jaw implants to make your smile brand new.
Clear choice dental implants are perfect for those who want the very best that dentistry has to offer. Most of these cases are performed with guided 3D cone beam xrays to exactly place the implants in the perfect position.
The best news is that the surgery takes about one hour.
Do I need a dental post or a dental implant?
This is something you’ll need to discuss with your oral surgeon!
A dental post or a dental implant can be inserted into the jaw bone where your old root used to be. This is done as a method for permanent tooth replacement when you have completely lost a tooth.
Or a dental post can be done when you still have a tooth root that needs to be removed. The white part of the tooth that is above the soft tissues, but your tooth root is still there. The post is surgically inserted and then a dental implant crown can be secured over it.
Why would I need a dental bone graft?
Are you having dental implants done? As part of this procedure, many patients may need to improve the health of their jaw bone.
A dental bone graft is a transplant of healthy bone tissue to improve the quality of the jaw bone. This improves the situation for a dental implant to then be installed. Otherwise you may be forced to wear dentures forever.
Dental bone graft is also added when dental implants are placed at the same time the tooth is extracted. Dental implants tend to be a bit smaller in diameter than natural teeth, so that extra space needs to be filled with bone material. All our dental bone graft is human bone and comes direct from a bone bank that is FDA approved.
Will I need an X-ray?
Yes, you will likely need X-rays to be done before your surgeon performs the procedure. These are done so that your surgeon has a good look at everything happening with your dental health. They can make the best decisions ahead of time on what may be needed and can better let you know what to expect after your surgery.
What to eat after Oral Surgery?
After any dental oral surgery it is a good idea to first let the numbness wear off before trying to eat.
How long does numbness last after oral surgery? Usually only an hour or two from when you get home. Your lips and mouth will begin tingling and then will eventually go back to normal.
Once you can feel your mouth you want to eat soft foods for a day or two. Depending on what you had done, you may be able to chew on one side of your mouth to stay away from the surgical side.
Always try not to chew on the area that was just operated on. You can eat soft foods such as scrambled eggs, soggy cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, mashed potatoes, protein shakes, pasta and soup to name a few. After 2 days you can begin introducing harder foods like hamburgers and such.
Also use ice packs as needed to help with swelling.
Do You Have More Dental Questions?
It’s completely normal and expected to have questions before dental oral surgery! Our Rockville Dental Arts team is always ready to answer questions you may have.
Do you want to know more about what happens before your procedure? After? Do you have questions about your oral hygiene, or your payment options?
We are here to help you every step of the way. Contact our office today with your questions about dental surgery!