oral surgery dos and donts

How to Stay Comfortable After Oral Surgery

Several Ways to Prepare Yourself to Cope

oral surgery dos and donts

Many people fear going to the dentist for oral surgery because they know that they may feel uncomfortable afterward. While some discomfort will occur after any type of surgery, there are some steps you can take to reduce the pain and discomfort. This will help you to stay more comfortable when you are back at home.

 

About Oral Surgery

There are many types of oral surgery, so the type you receive may differ from what someone else experiences. Whether it is a wisdom tooth extraction, a tooth implant, oral maxillofacial surgery, or some other type of dental surgery, there will be some discomfort afterward. 

In order to help relieve immediate pain, the dentist will usually give you some pain pills to use once the numbing medication wears off. With some types of anesthesia, you may need someone else to drive you home. With other types, such as nitrous oxide, you could probably drive yourself home. 

 

Dental Instructions

After your oral surgery, the dentist will provide you with some detailed instructions that you need to follow for best results. Following them carefully will help you be more comfortable afterward. 

 

Dry Sockets

After oral surgery, particularly after a wisdom teeth removal or another tooth, the clot in the empty socket does not heal correctly. This can happen if the clot becomes dislodged. If it does occur, it will often be a painful experience until it does heal correctly.

Preventing a dry socket means avoiding drinking through a straw and eating food that might disturb the clot. Smoking and drinking alcohol should also be avoided for at least 10 days. A dry socket is more likely to occur in women, in smokers, and in people who are using oral contraceptives. 

 

Before Surgery

Before the surgery, the dentist will likely advise you to stop taking any vitamins or supplements about two weeks prior to the surgery. You may also be advised to take vitamin C because it will help with pain and healing. 

 

After Surgery

If you had a wisdom tooth extraction, or a molar, you will likely be told to bite down on a piece of gauze. You will need to keep this in place for at least 30 minutes before replacing it with new gauze. If it continues to bleed, moisten a new piece of gauze a little and keep on replacing it about every 30 minutes. The bleeding may occur for as long as 24 hours. 

If the bleeding continues to be rather heavy after some time, you can moisten a tea bag and put it on the site. Tea has chemicals in it that will help to constrict the blood vessels to help the bleeding stop. 

 

Stick to a Liquid Diet

After the surgery, it is important that you continue to get a good amount of nutrition. The right kind of food will help keep inflammation down and will also aid in healing. During the healing process, you will be instructed to stick to drinking liquids and soft foods. You can eat soft foods such as pudding, blended soups or broth, mashed potatoes, applesauce, ice cream, smoothies, cottage cheese, and salmon. 

You also want to avoid some foods. This list includes hot (eat cold or lukewarm foods) and spicy foods, foods with seeds in them, foods that are crunchy – such as potato chips, cookies, etc., and foods that are chewy. 

 

Get Some Rest

Once you are at home, you should plan on resting and taking it easy. In some cases, the dentist or oral surgeon may want someone else to stay with you for a few hours after you go home. 

 

Use Ice Packs

You may have some swelling in your cheeks and jaw. Place ice packs that are wrapped in a towel on the area that is swelling. As the swelling goes down, it will also help to relieve pain. In order to avoid damaging your skin, do not leave the ice packs on for more than 20 minutes, followed by 20 minutes off. Then repeat until the swelling goes down and you are more comfortable. 

 

Rinse Your Mouth with Saltwater

You may be directed not to brush your teeth for a day or two. If so, the dentist may provide you with an oral mouthwash. Keeping your mouth clean is important in order to prevent infection. You may also use a saltwater mixture to rinse with, just add 1/4 teaspoon to an 8-ouce glass of water. You should also brush and floss other areas (unless the dentist directs otherwise) of your mouth, but be careful not to disturb the clot.

 

Keep Your Head Elevated

Staying elevated for about three days while you sleep is important because you will have more blood in the area when you lay flat, causing the wound site to throb. It will also help to reduce swelling. 

 

One more step in being more comfortable after oral surgery is to get a dentist who is very experienced in the type of dental surgery you need. If in search of an experienced oral surgeon in Farmers Branch , call Champion Dental clinic at 214-747-0763 today

best dentalimplants farmersbranch texas championdental

What Are Dental Implants? – Procedure, Advantages and Recovery

Implants Are Your Best Option for Missing Teeth

best dentalimplants farmersbranch texas championdental

The best way to replace a missing tooth or missing teeth, or even all of them, is to get dental implants. Implants have been used since 1952 to replace teeth and the process has become highly refined. Many people find that they prefer dental implants because they restore the feeling of having real teeth that even look like their own. 

 

What Is Dental Implant Surgery?

Dental implant surgery is the process of placing a tooth implant into the jawbone. There is an artificial tooth root that most often is made of titanium (some are made of zirconium) and it is placed into the same socket where the tooth was. 

Over time, the bone and gums will attach to the new root as they did with the natural tooth. Titanium is one of the few metals that enable body tissue to integrate with it and not reject it as a foreign object. 

The tooth implant process will also depend on the type of implant you will be getting. You can get:

  • Single tooth implant – Replaces a single tooth, but separate implants may be used to replace more than one tooth.
  • All on 4 dental implants – This procedure can be used to replace all your upper or lower teeth. The lower denture is placed on four implants. 
  • Mini implants – Smaller posts for narrow spaces. They serve the same purpose as regular implants.
  • Implant supported dentures – These implants can replace several missing teeth with a denture attached. 

 

What Is the Procedure Involved?

When a dental implant is to be put in place, the dental implant dentist will first ensure that there is adequate anesthetic given. Once you are ready, a cut will be made in the gums. Depending on whether you just had an extraction or have decided to get dental implants later, a drill will likely be used to ensure that there is enough of a hole to place the implant into. 

There are two kinds of dental implants. One kind (called “endosteal”) involves placing the new tooth root into the jawbone. This type is the most common. A second kind (called “subperiosteal”) places the implant on top of the jawbone but under the gums. It is used on people who do not have sufficient jawbone and who may not be interested in bone augmentation surgery. 

After the implant is in place, a metal piece called an abutment is placed on top of the artificial root. Healing needs to take place next, allowing the bone and gums to firmly anchor the implant in place. This can take anywhere between three and six months. A temporary crown may be put on the abutment to enable eating without problems. After healing is complete, a permanent crown is placed on it that matches the color of your other teeth. 

 

Who Can Get Dental Implants?

While many people can get a dental implant, there are some that are not well-suited for it. The people that it will work best for include candidates who: 

  • Already have at least one missing tooth
  • Have a full-size (adult) jawbone
  • Have healthy gums
  • Do not have health issues that affect healing
  • Have sufficient jawbone and gums
  • Do not want to or cannot wear dentures
  • Are willing to wait for the healing process.

In some cases, some surgical procedures may be necessary in advance. This may include gum or bone grafts, which will also require time for healing. For some people, it will be necessary to perform sinus modification or ridge modification. 

On some occasions, some dentists will offer to place an implant and give you a crown on the same day. This will depend on the amount of jawbone you have and other conditions. 

 

Advantages of Dental Implants

Dental implants have several advantages over other tooth replacement techniques. There are more than 500,000 people getting dental implants every year. Most people prefer them because:

  • They feel like natural teeth
  • They are permanent and can last for 15 years or more
  • The “roots” will never decay
  • They look natural
  • They let you eat naturally
  • They feel permanent – not loose like dentures
  • They let you talk normally. 

 

What Risks Are Involved in Dental Implants?

As is true of any surgical procedure, there are several risks. It is possible to get an infection, have nerve damage, or the gums may not heal. If an implant becomes loose while healing, it can be removed and a bridge put in its place. 

 

How Long Does It Take to Recover?

Recovery after a dental implant is placed usually between three and six months. A permanent crown or denture will be installed at that time. 

 

What Is the Cost of Dental Implants?

When you want a dental implant, it is necessary to consider the tooth implant price. They are not cheap. The price will vary according to your location, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $1,700 and $3,000 or more, which includes the cost of the crown. If additional surgery is needed, that cost must also be considered. 

 

For implant surgery, you will need the services of a expert implantologist . If you live in the Farmers Branch  TX  areas, you can get dental implants from Champion Dental Clinic. We often places dental implants, as well as conducting many other services in preparation for them. For more information about the tooth implant process, or to set up an appointment, you can call our office today at 214-747-0764