Ever wondered how smiling can simply elevate your mood? A fascinating study conducted by a Stanford University professor provides strong evidence that even posed smiles can make you happier. An essential factor in achieving a confident smile is your overall oral and dental health.
However, achieving and maintaining a healthy smile goes beyond just brushing and flossing. For some, dental issues require expert treatment from a skilled oral surgeon to restore or enhance their oral health.
Recognizing the Need for Oral Surgery and Finding the Right Surgeon
From sharp pain in your wisdom tooth to reconstructive and corrective jaw surgery, several instances call for an immediate need for surgical intervention. This is why finding the right oral and maxillofacial surgeon is necessary to ensure effective treatments.
Understanding what results you can expect from your treatment can help you feel more prepared. With the right surgeon, you’ll benefit from expert care that significantly reduces complications, promotes faster recovery, and enhances your overall dental health.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Are you wondering how to identify the right one while choosing an oral surgeon? While choosing, look for extensive experience, great patient reviews, and testimonials. The best oral surgeon would be board-certified and would also have a strong reputation.
Qualifications and Experience
The oral and maxillofacial surgeon should be board-certified by ABOMS after completing the required years of training. Additionally, they must stay informed about the latest developments and techniques in the field to provide the best care.
Patient-Centered Care
Patient care is collaborative work from both the parties involved – the doctor and the patient. Your surgeon needs to make you feel heard and deliver your desired result. Their compassionate approach should involve them communicating openly, listening to your requirements and needs, and answering your questions.
Common Oral Surgery Procedures
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform a wide range of oral surgery procedures that involve anatomical areas of the mouth, jaws, face, and skull areas. These surgeries include dental implants, bone grafting, wisdom tooth removal, extractions, and reconstructive or corrective surgeries to address issues and improve overall functionality.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
If your wisdom tooth is aching or growing abnormally, it is better to get it removed before it turns into a bigger issue. This typically involves removing the teeth by making an incision in the gums.
Dental Implants
Dental Implants are artificial tooth structures that replace any missing teeth. They restore both the functionality and the aesthetics. A titanium post is placed in the jawbone, which acts as the root for the missing tooth. This acts as a stable foundation for tooth replacement. If properly cared for, without straining the tooth, these could last a lifetime.
Bone Grafting
Dental bone grafting is mainly done to restore the bone loss caused by gum disease, infections, or even tooth loss. It essentially helps in dental restoration. The oral surgeon will make an incision and place the grafting material in the designated area, which in turn encourages the growth of the new bone tissue.
Corrective Jaw Surgery
If you’ve searched for ‘oral maxillofacial surgeon near me,’ it would likely be for corrective jaw surgery, or to address a severe underbite or overbite. This is an extensive process, starting with surgery and often involving a recovery period that can extend up to two years.
What to Expect During Your Oral Surgery Consultation
Consultation for any oral surgical procedure is meant to be a highly personalized experience. The consultation begins with the surgeon reviewing your medical history and discussing any symptoms that you may be experiencing. They will also evaluate your dental health, often using X-rays and 3-D imaging, before suggesting any oral surgical procedures. This is why choosing an oral surgeon that fits your needs becomes incredibly important.
Initial Assessment and Diagnosis
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step in a successful procedure. Your oral or maxillofacial surgeon will start with a thorough examination, often utilizing diagnostic imaging to get a clear view of your dental structures. This evaluation would be the foundation for any further oral surgery procedures that take place, ranging from simple tooth extraction to more advanced surgeries.
Treatment Planning
You are unique, and so is every treatment plan. The best surgeons are always the ones who discuss the plan, and details, outline, and further personalize your experience by answering all sorts of questions and queries coming from the patient. Your needs should always be addressed to guarantee the best and fastest recovery and results since this is a collaborative process.
Preparing for Your Oral Surgery
Preparation is the key to a successful procedure. Being ready – physically, mentally, and emotionally – for surgery can make all the difference. Follow the advice given by your surgeon for the best experience. Let your surgeon know of any and every disruptive thought in mind, and they will guide you accordingly.
Pre-Surgery Checklist:
Don’t hesitate to ask your surgeon for a checklist to ensure you’re fully prepared for the surgery. Here are some more things to keep in check before your surgery preparation:
- Transportation arrangements
- Review and follow all the medication changes and instructions given
- Maintain basic oral hygiene
- Clear your schedule in advance
What to Bring along on Surgery Day
It is also important to come prepared by following all dietary requirements, gathering necessary documents such as insurance and ID, completing any paperwork, and ensuring your medical information is accurate.
Post-Operative Care: Ensuring a Smooth Recovery
Following your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions is crucial for a successful recovery, and to achieve your desired outcome. The recovery tips shared during your post-op consultation process should always be adhered to, to optimize the impact of all dental procedures. Here are answers to some common patient questions regarding post-operative care:
Managing Pain and Discomfort
It’s just as important to know where to find an oral and maxillofacial surgeon nearby, as it is to know where to get medications for pain relief. There are prescribed and over-the-counter medications that one can easily avail access to. For example, Ibuprofen can reduce pain and inflammation. Cold compresses, ice packs, and rest can minimize discomfort.
Signs of Complications:
While most oral surgical procedures have low complication rates, it is important to know when to rush to your surgeon. If you experience severe pain, excessive sensitivity, excessive swelling, or persisting bleeding, or if you see any signs of infection, it is crucial to contact your surgeon right away.
Why Choose Ridge Oral Surgery in Morristown, NJ?
Ridge Oral is one of the few 100% surgeon-owned and operated practices for oral surgery. Choosing an oral surgeon has never been easier, because we provide a comprehensive range of services with personalized oral care for every patient, thanks to our skilled and welcoming surgeons.
Comprehensive Range of Services
We make sure to delve deep into the consultation process, answering all the patient questions, and keeping your dental health at the center of it all. The services provided by us include dental implants, wisdom tooth removal, bone grafting, teeth extractions, oral pathology (biopsy), 3-D imaging, platelet-rich fibrin, and much more.
Advanced Technology and Techniques
We use state-of-the-art technology to enhance safety, precision, and accuracy in all the procedures performed to provide our patients with the optimal care that they deserve. Our portfolio of clinical technology includes top-notch and secure EMR (Electronic Medical Records), cutting-edge, in-house 3-D imaging, radiography, and the latest surgical equipment and techniques.
Patient-Centered Care Approach
Our commitment to patient-centered, personalized care is evident with the 24-hour call access to our surgeons. We are open six days a week, and we also provide same-day consultations and procedures.
Community Commitment
We are always dedicated to our community in Morristown by being involved in local outreach programs. This fosters trust within our community of patients, building long-lasting relationships. We are dedicated to positively contributing to the community we serve.
Conclusion: Your Journey to a Healthier Smile
Your dental health journey starts now, irrespective of whether you’re seeking expert guidance for a particular underlying problem, or just trying to improve your smile to also improve your mood. Choose an oral surgeon who fully acknowledges your needs, to deliver your desired outcome.
We at Ridge Oral Surgery always have the patient-first approach for all of your oral concerns.
Book your consultation now for a happier and healthier tomorrow!