Oral surgery is a type of procedure that involves any surgical intervention on the teeth, gums, jaws, or other oral structures. This can include extractions, implants, gum grafts, and jaw surgery. It is usually performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or periodontist. In most cases, it is an outpatient procedure, meaning that you can go home the same day.
If the surgery requires general anesthesia, you should not drive for the next 24 to 48 hours. It is important to bring a family member or friend to the office to take you home after the procedure. Discomfort, pain, swelling, and bleeding are all expected after surgery and can be managed. In some cases, jaw function may be restricted for several days.
The oral surgeon will perform an exam and visually inspect your mouth, teeth, gums, and jaw to better understand your oral health situation. Oral surgical procedures involve incising, excising, or reflecting tissue that exposes normally sterile areas of the oral cavity. Examples include biopsy, periodontal surgery, apical surgery, implant surgery, and surgical tooth extractions. Oral surgical procedures increase the risk of local or systemic infection since microorganisms from inside or outside the mouth can enter the vascular system and other normally sterile areas of the oral cavity.
Manual devices for oral surgery and implants are available as well as ultrasonic scrapers that bypass the dental unit to supply sterile water or other solutions through the use of disposable or sterilizable single-use sterile tubes. If you need a wisdom tooth extraction, bone graft, dental implants, corrective jaw surgery, or any other oral or maxillofacial procedure, you may not be looking forward to your first consultation. It is important to follow a bland diet on the day of the oral surgery procedure and as directed on the days after surgery. A full exam and consultation before oral surgery is the best time to ask any questions you may have about the procedure.
Complex oral and maxillofacial surgeries may require general anesthesia but in most cases patients can choose whichever method of sedation they prefer. If you have one or more missing teeth, dental implant surgery or other reconstructive surgery can improve your oral health. The professional team at Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery wants you to feel confident about your next treatment. The best outcome of any oral surgery procedure is achieved when people follow all instructions for taking care of themselves after surgery.
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