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ORAL SURGERY & PERIODONTICS BLOG

The Latest on Dental Health, Dental Implants, Periodontics, Oral Surgery and More

How To Feel Ready For Your Oral Surgery

Surgery is not something most people have on their bucket list. It’s not the kind of thing people want to do.

When you talk about oral surgery — this is, surgery on your mouth – people can become even less comfortable. We understand. Your smile is a big part of who you are, and surgery in your mouth can change that.

Thankfully, you have a dentist office you can trust with these kinds of procedures. If you live in or near Buffalo Grove, IL, then you can go to North Shore Smile Surgery.

From your initial call or visit until you are finished recovering from your procedure, our team will be here to support you and answer your questions. This is also why we have put together some tips to help you prepare for your surgery and some recommendations on what to do when it is finished.

Preparing For Oral Surgery

It’s normal to have a lot of questions when you are planning to undergo surgery. It’s also normal to feel anxious or concerned.

One thing that will help is registering online, which will allow you to fill out forms at home. Having those documents ready to go will make your visit to our office easier on the day of your procedure.

It’s important that you remember to provide us with information about any medications you may be taking. This includes both prescription and non-prescription medicine. Even supplements, like fish oil, can have effects on your system. We will want to know about them before we get started.

If another dentist has referred you to our office, we will want to see any X-rays that dentist may have taken. If he or she uses digital X-rays, then those images can be emailed to our office. Also, encourage your dentist to send any additional information that would be beneficial as we prepare for your procedure.

Patients often want to know what is covered by their dental insurance. Please feel free to contact our staff prior to your procedure so we can help gets answers to those questions.

The Day Of Your Surgery

We offer multiple sedation options in our practice. If you will be receiving any of them, then you need to avoid eating or drinking anything for at least six hours before your procedure begins. (That includes avoiding water.)

You also need to make arrangements for a trusted family member or friend to drive you home if you are receiving oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia. This is for your own safety.

Patients who receive nitrous oxide may be able to drive home on their own after the gas has been exhaled from their system.

When patients visit our office, we want them to feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. If there is something we can do to help, please ask.

As part of that effort to improve your comfort, we do things a little different than some other oral surgeons’ offices. For example, instead of bright overhead lights, our hygienists use headlamps. These can be controlled more easily to place light where we need it.

Recovery

If you or someone you know has ever had any surgical procedure, then you know you aren’t going to feel 100 percent when you walk out of our office. Your body needs time to recuperate from what it has gone through.

The specifics of what you will need to do will depend on the type of procedure you completed. However, there are some general things to keep in mind with any kind of oral surgery.

You may need to alter your normal diet for a few days in the aftermath of your procedure. You may have an opening in your mouth that needs to heal, and you will want to be careful to avoid an infection during this time.

Swelling and bleeding are common in the aftermath of oral surgery. We will coach you on what you should do if this occurs. We will also advise on how much time you may need to take off from work following your procedure.

Have Questions? Just Ask

We also know that you may have questions anytime. Feel free to contact us before your procedure, the day of your procedure, or after you have returned home. We will do everything we can to answer your questions and assist you throughout the process.

To schedule a visit, call 847-276-2500 or fill out our online form. North Shore Smile Surgery is located in Buffalo Grove, IL, a short drive from Chicago.

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