Understanding Oral Surgery and When It May Be Needed
When is a procedure considered oral surgery?
Typically, we consider a procedure oral surgery if it involves going into the body more than a procedure like a filling or crown, which involves the external part of the tooth. Some quick examples could be a tooth extraction, getting a dental implant placed—any of those types of procedures we would consider oral surgery.
What are some of the most common types of oral surgery procedures and why might they be necessary?
One of the most common oral surgery procedures is tooth extraction. Generally, we remove a tooth only as a last resort if it is so broken down that we can no longer fix it. This usually happens because the tooth has an infection, cavities that have gone too far, or the tooth is broken and cannot be fixed.
Other common procedures include removing wisdom teeth. With wisdom teeth, those are the teeth at the back of our mouth that come in around age 20. The reason we generally have to remove them is that, unfortunately, our bodies don't have enough space for them. They get blocked from coming out, which is called an impacted wisdom tooth. The problem with that is impacted wisdom teeth will start to shift on their side, usually coming into the tooth in front and potentially damaging it, leaving us in a situation where we lose two teeth rather than just one.
The last very common procedure is the placement of dental implants. This involves an artificial tooth root that goes into the bone, and then a tooth is placed on top to replace missing teeth. This is a great procedure because it's the only one that helps maintain the jawbone. Once you lose a tooth, the jawbone starts shrinking away, similar to muscles atrophying without exercise. Our jawbone is important for maintaining the structure of our face. Losing a lot of jawbone gives an aged look because everything collapses in, and the dental implant can help prevent that.
What happens during oral surgery?
Oral surgery is very similar to other dental procedures. We usually start by giving you some anesthesia to numb the area so that you don't experience pain during the procedure. We then perform the procedure and provide instructions on what you can do at home to recover, similar to getting a filling done.
How should I prepare for oral surgery?
I recommend preparing similarly to how you do when you come into the dentist regularly. Depending on whether we're using more advanced sedation techniques, we might want you to come in on an empty stomach, but typically we want you to be well-fed, well-rested, and ready for the procedure. We'll give you instructions afterwards to minimize your pain as much as possible.
Will I be able to drive myself home after oral surgery?
This depends on how intensive the procedure is and the type of sedation we're using. For IV or oral sedation, you cannot drive, and you'll need someone to bring you to the appointment and take you home. With nitrous oxide or laughing gas, commonly used in our office, the sedation is out of your body within 5 minutes, allowing you to drive yourself. If we're doing many teeth at once, it might be a good idea to have someone accompany you to help with instructions and assist you at home.
How can I minimize pain and discomfort after oral surgery?
There are a few main things you can do. Use painkillers as needed. For moderate pain, we might prescribe something stronger like Tylenol 3, but in most cases, extra strength Advil or Tylenol will suffice. Rest and avoid vigorous activity, use a cold compress with a cloth to reduce swelling, and do a salt water rinse after 24 hours to aid healing.
How long does it typically take to recover from oral surgery?
I usually tell patients that after oral surgery, especially a tooth extraction, it's common to have some pain for a couple of days, typically taking about a week to go away.
For procedures like wisdom tooth extraction, swelling is most noticeable after 48 hours and usually takes about a week to a week and a half to fully subside.
For smaller procedures like a dental extraction, pain might last that day or into the next, unless complications like a dry socket occur, which is rare.
Does insurance typically cover the cost of oral surgery?
This depends on your individual insurance. Most of the time, basic treatments like extractions are covered. Some sedation methods, like nitrous oxide, may also be covered. For bigger procedures like implants, coverage can vary based on your specific plan. We can help guide you to determine your coverage.
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