Oral surgery refers to a range of surgical procedures conducted in the mouth, jawbone, and other surrounding tissues. Oral surgery is a common medical procedure, and its popularity is growing steadily. The reasons why you may need oral surgery are varied and range from soft tissue biopsies, wisdom teeth removal, cleft palate repairs, and dental implants placement, among others. Regardless of the type of oral surgery you require, understanding what to expect is essential to make you prepare adequately physically and emotionally. In this blog post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about oral surgery to ease any fears and help you prepare for it.
Types of Oral Surgery
Oral surgery encompasses several types of procedures. Some of the most common types of oral surgery include dental implants placement, tooth extractions, corrective jaw surgery, and soft tissue biopsies. Dental implant surgery involves replacing one or some of your damaged teeth by implantation of artificial teeth and roots surgically placed in the jawbone. Tooth extraction is often used to remove damaged teeth to avert further infection and damage to your teeth and gums. Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, is used to correct a wide range of minor to major skeletal and dental deformities. Soft tissue biopsies, on the other hand, are done by removing a small amount of soft tissue that is then tested in the laboratory for infections or cancer cells.
Oral Surgery Preparations
Preparations for oral surgery differ depending on the type of procedure you undergo. In general, you need to follow your dentist’s highlights on diet, medicines, and activities before and after surgery. It may be necessary to stop any blood-thinning medications, avoid food and drinks for some hours, reduce alcohol consumption, and maintain low activity levels. If you’re undergoing anesthesia, it’s essential to follow the instructions closely, including fasting as directed, consuming no food, drink, or smoking for six hours before surgery, and arranging for transportation and support for the rest of the day.
The Oral Surgery Procedure
Once you’re adequately prepared, the oral surgery procedure can commence. During the procedure, you’ll get local or general anesthesia to numb the pain or put you to sleep entirely. After anesthesia, the surgeon will perform the procedure by cutting your gum, removing any damaged tissues, and repairing any necessary areas. Surgical procedures are carefully executed, involving careful incision, healing, and monitoring. As such, it is essential to follow post-operative instructions to promote the healing process, minimize complications and avoidable infections.
Oral Surgery Recovery
Recovery from oral surgery varies depending on the type of procedure you undertake. In general, after undergoing oral surgery, it’s essential to take adequate rest, avoid vigorous activity, and stick to a soft-food diet as you heal. It’s advised to use ice packs to reduce swelling, follow oral hygiene guidelines to prevent infections, and avoid smoking, alcohol, hard foods and drinks as much as possible.
Post-operative Visits to the Dentist
Post-operative visits to the dental clinic are an essential part of oral surgery recovery. These visits are designed to monitor your progress, ensure prompt detection of any complications, and provide further advice on recovery and maintenance. It’s essential to attend all post-operative appointments and notify your dentist of any changes in pain or swelling for prompt medical care.
Hopefully, this post has highlighted the importance of understanding oral surgery operations, preparations, procedures, and recovery. Oral surgery requires attentive care and efficient follow-up and recovery care, and patients must adhere to all guidelines and instructions to ensure effective healing and avoid complications. Whether you need a soft tissue biopsy, implant placement, tooth extraction, or corrective jaw surgery, you should know that oral surgery is a safe and valuable procedure that will restore your dental health and restore your confidence.
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