Oral Surgery 101: Check out These Facts About Oral Surgery
Oral surgery is one of the main dental specialties recognized by the ADA. It is also known as maxillofacial surgery. The treatment is conducted by an oral surgeon or allowed dentist to treat diseases and injuries that relate to aspects of maxillofacial area (teeth, mouth, jaw, and face). In this article, we will cover the basics of this treatment.
When is Oral Surgery Necessary?
Some of the services an oral surgeon can provide include:
Remove an Impacted Tooth
An oral surgeon is allowed to use almost any kind of anesthesia. An oral surgeon can use both deep and conscious sedation; something some dentists are not allowed to do. He is always the right choice for the removal of impacted teeth.
Oral surgeons are allowed to work on both kids and adults. You can count on us if you are looking for oral surgery for kids.
Place Dental Implants
The process of getting dental implants involves surgery. The oral surgeon makes an incision on your jawbone, places a titanium screw, and sends you home to heal. Sometimes this procedure requires a bone graft surgery.
Treat Facial Trauma
An oral surgeon is tasked with fixing minor and complex facial lacerations. Any oral surgeon can set fractured jaws, facial bones and treat injuries involving cheeks, eye sockets, and forehead.
Evaluate Pathologic Conditions
Oral surgeons can treat tumors of the mouth and face. They can also evaluate cases of head, oral, and neck cancer. An oral surgeon can also treat severe infections of salivary glands, jaws, oral cavities, and neck.
Perform Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery
You can count on an oral surgeon to correct facial bone, jaw, and facial soft tissue issues that lead to trauma. Most of these surgeries involve the use of nerves, skin, or bone from other parts of your body to reconstruct the affected areas.
The above are just but a few problems an oral surgeon can help contain or treat. He can provide other services such as periodontal surgery, surgical treatment for OSA, and orthognathic surgery, among others.
How to Prepare for Oral Surgery
The flowing tips can be of help you undergo the treatment more comfortably.
Ensure you are getting back to a neat place back at home. Before you go, clean your home and make it as comfortable as possible. That way, you won’t need to get back right to cleaning after the surgery.
Follow the pre-surgery instructions to the letter. The oral surgeon may ask you not to eat anything for about eight hours before the surgery. Ensure to refrain from food if you are asked to do that.
Arrange for a way to get back home. Typically, you should not drive after surgery. Have your partner or friend drive you home after the surgery or call a cab. Just ensure not to drive, the anesthesia used during the treatment can affect your rationality. You may end up making the wrong decision, which can lead to an accident.
Important Aspects after Surgery
How you live your life after surgery has an important role to play in your recovery. The oral surgeon will give you a set of things you should do or not do after the treatment. Please ensure to do exactly as he/she asks. Some of the things you can do to improve your recovery process include.
Don’t drink alcohol or smoke after surgery. Both can affect the recovery process. Use the ice-cold compress method to reduce swelling, alleviate pain, and reduce bleeding. Apply an ice pack outside the surgery site after five to ten minutes.
Refrain from brushing your teeth for the first 22 to 36 hours. Instead, rinse your mouth regularly with saltwater. This helps kill bacteria in the mouth.
Be patient because recovery will not be after one or two days. It might even take a few months. However, you can get to your daily activities after a few days. Visit your dentist regularly for checkups.
Foods after Surgery
It is essential you check on your diet after oral surgery. Some foods are just not good after surgery and should be avoided for a few days. You should only take soft foods at room temperature, not hot or cold. You should avoid using a straw for a few days after surgery. Avoid crunchy and chewy foods.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for oral surgery for kids in Columbia, SC, you are in the right place. At Kids First Dental, we are always ready to help, and our services are of the highest quality. Book an appointment today!