What You Can Expect From Oral Surgery

Your teeth may be some of the smallest parts of your anatomy, but that doesn’t mean oral surgery isn’t a big deal. 

If you have an oral surgery procedure on the horizon, we know how many questions can pop up as your appointment date gets closer. That’s why our team of experts at Rifkin Dental is here to address all your concerns and help you feel more prepared. 

Before oral surgery

There are a few things you can do to get ready for oral surgery (and a few that you have to do). For starters, we may require you to refrain from eating or drinking 8-12 hours before your procedure. This makes sure that you don’t vomit food or liquid while you’re under anesthesia.

It’s also a good idea to arrange for transportation to and from your surgery and to take the rest of the day off from your daily routine. 

During oral surgery

What to expect during your oral surgery has a lot to do with why you’re having oral surgery. Two of the most common reasons we recommend oral surgery are to place a dental implant or remove a wisdom tooth. Here’s a closer look at how those procedures work.

Dental implant surgery

The first phase of dental implant surgery involves removing the existing tooth (unless the tooth is already missing). Then, we perform another procedure to place the titanium “root” of the implant into your jaw bone. We give you time to heal (around 3-6 months) and allow the root to fuse with your jawbone. 

At your final appointment, we place the artificial tooth onto the titanium root, capping off the dental implant process and giving you the cohesive smile you’ve been searching for. 

During each step, we ensure that you’re completely comfortable by administering and managing anesthesia or sedation.

Wisdom tooth removal

None of our patients are the same, so no wisdom tooth removal is the same. We approach each case differently depending on how your wisdom tooth has erupted and whether or not you’re dealing with any complications. 

As with dental implant surgery, we keep you completely comfortable during your wisdom tooth removal with anesthesia or sedation.

After oral surgery

Recovery times vary depending on the type of surgery you received. Dental implant surgery takes a bit longer than wisdom tooth removal, but neither one causes much pain or discomfort. Anticipate taking another day or two to recuperate before heading back to work. If you do experience pain, you can easily manage it with cold compresses and pain medication.

A note on dry sockets

Any time we remove a tooth, a hole inevitably remains. In that hole is a vulnerable blood clot working hard to help you heal. If that blood clot becomes dislodged, you develop a painful condition called a dry socket. 

To prevent dry sockets, avoid drinking from straws or consuming alcoholic or carbonated beverages. Stick to soft foods you can swallow easily, such as yogurt, applesauce, and instant oatmeal. 

Have more questions about an upcoming surgery? We’d love to chat with you. Call or click to request an appointment at either our Yorktown Heights or Carmel, New York, offices today.