Oral

Oral Surgery: Common Procedures and How to Prepare for Them

Hearing the words “oral surgery” can feel intimidating, but in reality, many of these procedures are straightforward, highly effective, and designed to improve your health and comfort. From wisdom teeth extractions to dental implants, oral surgery covers a wide range of treatments that go beyond routine dental care.

You probably have questions if your dentist has told you to get oral surgery. What does the treatment entail? What should you do to get ready? What is recuperation like? This article will help you get ready for your visit by going over the basics.

What is Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery is any surgery done on or near the mouth and jaw. These treatments usually require anesthesia, special tools, and a short recovery time, unlike cleanings or fillings.

Dentists usually suggest oral surgery when regular dental care isn't adequate to fix an issue. Some common reasons are wisdom teeth that are stuck, severe tooth loss, problems with jaw alignment, or gum disease that has gotten so bad that it needs surgery.

Common Dental Surgery Procedures

Different kinds of oral surgery are not the same. Here are some of the most common procedures:

Taking Out Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom tooth extraction is a common type of dental surgery that is often needed when these molars get stuck or grow in at the improper angle. Removing them helps keep things from getting too crowded, getting infections, and hurting your jaw.

Implants for Teeth

Most people think that dental implants are the best solution to replace lost teeth. A small titanium post is surgically put into the jawbone, and over time it organically merges with the bone. Once the tooth is healed, a crown is put on it. This makes a tooth replacement that looks and works like the actual thing.

Bone Grafting

If a patient doesn't have enough bone to sustain an implant, bone grafting can be done. This technique repairs and strengthens the jawbone, which makes it easier to put in implants later.

Jaw Surgery to Fix It

This operation, also called orthognathic surgery, is done when the upper and lower jaws don't line up well. It can help with chewing, breathing, and speaking, as well as making your face more symmetrical.

Surgery on the Gums

In some cases of advanced gum disease, surgery is needed to remove infected tissue or add healthy gum tissue to places that need support. This helps keep teeth healthy and restore gum health.

Surgical Extractions

Some teeth, especially those that are fractured, decaying, or impacted, need to be surgically removed, even though basic extractions may easily be done in the dentist's chair.

How to Get Ready for Oral Surgery

Getting ready is the most important thing you can do to make your surgery and recovery go as well as possible. Before you do anything, you should:

  • Go to your appointment: Your dentist or oral surgeon will take X-rays, go over your medical history, and talk about your alternatives. Tell your doctor about any medicines you take and any health problems you may have.
  • Follow the rules for fasting: If you plan to have sedation or anesthesia, you will probably need to not eat or drink for a few hours before the procedure.
  • Make plans for a ride: Plan for a family member or friend to drive you home because anesthetic can make you sleepy.
  • Get a lot of soft foods: While your mouth heals, yogurt, oats, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and broths will make it easier to consume.
  • Prepare your area: Before your operation day, make sure you have cold packs, over-the-counter pain killers (if approved), and any drugs your doctor has prescribed.

What Recovery Is Really Like

The length of recovery varies depending on the operation, however most people recover faster than they think they will. What you may usually expect is:

  • In the first several days, some swelling and pain are common. Usually, ice packs and prescribed medicines work effectively to control this.
  • You need to change your diet. Soft foods are the simplest to eat, and you should stay away from spicy, crunchy, or very hot meals until your dentist gives you the go-ahead.
  • It's still necessary to take care of your mouth. You should brush gently and may be told to use a saltwater rinse to keep the area around the surgery clean.
  • Follow-up appointments make sure that everything is healing as it should. Your dentist might examine your stitches or take new scans to make sure you're getting better.

Most patients go back to work or school within a few days, but it can take weeks for them to fully recuperate, depending on the type of surgery.

Common Myths About Oral Surgery

It's reasonable to be scared, however a lot of the things people are scared of about oral surgery are not true:

  • "It will hurt a lot." Anesthesia and sedation actually make the treatment easy, and most patients say that recovery is easier than they thought it would be.
  • "The downtime will last for weeks." Most people can go back to their typical activities within a few days, even if it takes time to heal.
  • "Implants or grafts don't last." Dental implants and related operations can survive for decades or even a lifetime if they are taken care of properly.

Why Oral Surgery Is Important

If you don't take care of your dental health concerns, they could get worse later. For instance, not treating an impacted tooth could lead to infections, and missing teeth could make future restorative treatments more difficult because of bone loss. Oral surgery not only fixes problems that are happening right now, but it also helps keep your teeth healthy, working well, and looking good in the long run.

Final Thoughts

Oral surgery might sound scary, but these operations are actually meant to make you feel better, stop problems from happening, and give you a healthier smile. The purpose of wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, or corrective jaw surgery is to make your mouth work better and look better so you can chew, talk, and smile without worrying.

Are You Ready to Move On?

The greatest thing you can do if your dentist has suggested oral surgery is to make an appointment to talk about your options and make a treatment plan just for you.

📞 Call us today to make an appointment and start on the road to a healthier, more confident smile.