Preparation for Oral Surgery

Ask Questions.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Schedule an appointment with your surgeon and let them know of any concerns or questions you may have regarding your procedure.

Follow Pre-op Instructions
Carefully read the pre-op instructions provided by your surgeon. The instructions may contain specific information to help you prepare for the surgery and avoid complications.

Arrange Transportation
It would be best to arrange transportation to and from your surgical appointment. Most oral surgical procedures require anesthesia which makes driving post-op unsafe.

Dress Appropriately
Go for loose and comfortable clothes on the day of the procedure. Also, avoid long sleeve shirts, as technicians will have difficulty setting up your IV and monitoring your vitals.

Avoid Food and Drink
Don’t eat or drink for at least eight hours before the procedure. Fasting reduces the risk of aspiration (your stomach content filling the lungs) during surgery.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Anesthesia Administration
Your oral surgeon administers anesthesia depending on your diagnosis, type of surgery, and preference. Common types of anesthesia used in oral surgeries include:

• Local anesthesia: This type of anesthesia is used in standard oral procedures like tooth extractions and root canals. It’s injected into the surgical site, temporarily blocking nerve pain signals and allowing you to stay awake during the surgery
• General anesthesia: A type of anesthesia that puts you in a state of unconsciousness. It’s used in complex oral surgical procedures such as orbital fracture repair
• Sedation anesthesia: A type of anesthesia that induces a relaxed state during the surgical procedure. The surgeon may recommend sedation anesthesia to help you overcome dental anxiety during minor surgical procedures
• Regional anesthesia: A potent anesthesia that numbs large face areas during complex procedures. For instance, your surgeon may recommend regional anesthesia for some TMJ surgeries

Incision
Next, your surgeon makes an incision in the surgical site depending on the procedure. This step may not be necessary for minor operations such as tooth extractions.

Repair
The surgeon makes corrections to the affected area. This may involve realigning fractured bones, removing damaged tissue, or stabilizing weak facial structures.

Closure
Your surgeon closes the incision using stitches or sutures after completing the procedure to ensure proper healing and prevent the risk of infection.

The recovery period after oral surgery depends on the type of surgery, your regenerative capacity, and your postoperative care routine. For instance, minor surgical procedures like tooth extractions and root canals may heal in a few days.

Complex surgical procedures such as facial trauma repair and open-joint surgery may take several weeks to heal fully. It’s important to note that your postoperative care routine plays a significant role in the healing process.

Your oral surgeon may recommend the postoperative care tips below to care for the surgical site, promote healing and avoid complications.

• Avoid smoking: Smoking wreaks havoc on oral structures and reduces regenerative capacity. Cigarette smoke also increases the risk of infection.
• Apply ice packs: Applying ice packs on the surgical site for a few minutes each day can help reduce swelling, pain, and discomfort.
• Take medication as directed: Your surgeon may prescribe pain medication and antibiotics. Following the prescriptions will help with pain management and reduce the risk of infection.
• Watch your diet: Observe a diet of soft, cool foods such as yogurt, smoothies, applesauce, and pudding. Avoid spicy, crunchy, and hot foods, which may irritate the surgical site.
• Follow-up appointments: Be sure to attend follow-up appointments with your surgeon. They’ll examine your progress and address any complications with the surgical site.
• Maintain good oral hygiene: Maintaining good oral hygiene after your surgery promotes healing and reduces the risk of complications. However, brush and floss gently to avoid irritating the surgical site.
• Rinse with saline water: Gently rinsing your mouth with warm saline water can reduce discomfort and the risk of infection.

Potential complications of oral surgery include:

• Nerve damage: Though rare, oral surgery can result in temporary or permanent nerve damage. You should consult your surgeon immediately if you notice tingling or loss of sensation in the face.
• Infection: Bacteria may infiltrate your body through the incision site, causing infection. Contact your surgeon if you develop a fever, discharge from the incision site, and swelling.
• Excessive bleeding: While bleeding is normal after oral surgery, excessive bleeding that persists after several hours is not a good sign.
• Dry socket: This is a condition where the protective blood clot that forms after a tooth extraction is dislodged. As a result, the tooth socket becomes exposed, increasing the risk of infection and causing severe pain.

It’s important to note that adhering to the postoperative care instructions given by your surgeon drastically reduces the risk of developing complications.

Your dentist may recommend the following alternatives to oral surgery depending on your diagnosis and individual preference:

• Orthodontic appliances: Your dentist may recommend braces and clear aligners to correct teeth misalignment and bite issues.
• Antibiotics: Mild cases of gum infection can be treated using antibiotics and other medication.
• Root canal therapy: This procedure prevents the need for tooth extraction. Your dentist will remove infected pulp tissue, replace it with a biocompatible material and save the natural tooth.
• Laser therapy: This cutting-edge, non-surgical procedure uses lasers to treat gum conditions like gingivitis preventing the need for invasive surgical procedures.

Oral surgery may sound intimidating, but understanding the various procedures helps you know what to expect and promote healing through proper surgical site care. Consult a skilled dental professional to learn more about oral surgery and alternative treatment options.