What You Should Ask Your Oral Surgeon

Oral Surgeon Saratoga Springs, NY

Prior to a patient undergoing a surgical procedure, their oral surgeon will tell them what to expect during and after the procedure. However, the patient also needs to ask questions of their own so they will be comfortable with their decision to undergo the procedure.

What to ask your oral surgeon before undergoing treatment

Some of the most important questions patients should ask their oral surgeon include:

Have you performed this surgery before?

This question is not meant to insult the surgeon. Instead,  it should be asked so that the patient will know if the surgeon they chose for the procedure has any experience performing it. If they do not, then the patient can continue looking around for an experienced doctor to perform the surgery.

If the oral surgeon has performed the procedure in the past, then the patient can gain valuable insight on what to expect and feel more at ease with the surgeon.

Are they oral and maxillofacial surgeons?

General dentists are allowed to perform surgeries, but they do not have the same level of training that an oral surgeon has. That is why it is important to ask if they are general dentists or oral surgeons. Even though a general dentist can perform the procedure, more people will be comfortable going with someone who specialized in the field.

What will happen during the procedure?

The oral surgeon will not go into every single detail about the procedure. However, they will let the patient know what they are trying to achieve and how they plan on doing so. They will also be able to let the patient know how long they expect the procedure to take and if the patient will need to have someone come in with them to drive them home after the procedure.

What is the recovery timeframe?

This is an important question for patients to ask because they need to be able to adjust their schedule accordingly. If the recovery time is expected to be a week or two, they will be able to take some time off work so they can recuperate. If the surgery is minimal and does not require any recovery time, they will be able to go on with their lives without any interruptions.

Will there be any restrictions?

This question can apply to a few things. It can apply to the patient’s ability to resume physical activity, the type of food they have to eat or anything that the surgeon requires them to do so they can be back on their feet in no time.

What type of anesthesia will be used?

Patients should ask their surgeon about the anesthesia that will be used during the surgery so they know what to expect. If the oral surgeon plans on using local anesthesia, it means they will be awake during the procedure. If they plan on using general anesthesia, they will be unconscious during the procedure.

The patient should make sure they are comfortable with the anesthesia options before they go under the knife.

Conclusion

If you plan on undergoing oral surgery, it is important to ask your oral surgeon about the procedure to help you feel more comfortable about it. If you are not sure what type of question you should ask, these questions should help you get started.

Request an appointment here: https://www.mysaratogadentist.com or call My Saratoga Dentist PLLC at (518) 675-3094 for an appointment in our Saratoga Springs office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

How Dental Crowns Are Used In General Dentistry

In general dentistry, dental crowns are used for a variety of reasons. Crowns are extremely flexible and can be used for cosmetic and restorative means. Whether to fix a damaged tooth or cover up a flawed one, a dental crown has many helpful and beneficial uses.A crown is a cap, usually made of porcelain or…

A General Dentist Explains The Dangers Of Smoking

The field of general dentistry involves taking care of the whole mouth, not only the teeth. Tobacco use is dangerous to your overall well-being, but your oral health is particularly at risk. When you smoke, your mouth is the first place that the nicotine and tar go. A general dentist sees firsthand the damage that…

How Does A General Dentistry Treat Tooth Abscesses?

A tooth abscess is one of the most serious problems treated in general dentistry. It occurs due to an infection in the tooth or gums. The body sends white blood cells to the site to fight the infection. These form a yellowish-white fluid called pus. An abscess occurs when a pocket of pus forms in…

General Dentistry Tips For Avoiding Cavities

Cavities, also known as caries or tooth decay, create the biggest need for general dentistry visits. Cavities are the result of bacteria in the mouth combined with other factors like sugary drinks, frequent snacking, and failure to adequately clean the teeth. Tooth decay is particularly common in children, adolescents, and elderly adults, but everyone is…

Recent Posts

How Dental Crowns Are Used In General Dentistry

How Dental Crowns Are Used In General Dentistry

In general dentistry, dental crowns are used for a variety of reasons. Crowns are extremely flexible and can be used for cosmetic and restorative means. Whether to fix a damaged tooth or cover up a flawed one, a dental crown has many helpful and beneficial uses.A crown is a cap, usually made of porcelain or…

A General Dentist Explains The Dangers Of Smoking

A General Dentist Explains The Dangers Of Smoking

The field of general dentistry involves taking care of the whole mouth, not only the teeth. Tobacco use is dangerous to your overall well-being, but your oral health is particularly at risk. When you smoke, your mouth is the first place that the nicotine and tar go. A general dentist sees firsthand the damage that…