Repaupo Oral Surgeons

When a patient experiences a dental emergency that requires the extraction of a tooth or restructure of the bone or gum tissue, an oral surgeon can make the necessary repairs. There is a wide range of treatments that oral surgeons can provide for patients addressing such problems as impacted teeth, jaw misalignment, and bone loss. Oral surgeons can treat chronic diseases or conditions that derive from issues of the mouth.

What is Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery refers to any surgery that takes place around the mouth or in the jaw. There are different types of oral surgeries that involve surgical procedures, including tooth removal, while there are those that involve repositioning the jaw. The surgery does not always involve fixing a tooth as an oral surgeon can also assist in the removal of a tumor as well. The different types of oral surgeries performed at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons include:

Wisdom tooth extraction: An impacted wisdom tooth can cause an infection in the mouth and severe pain. Extracting it will eliminate that pain and prevent future damage to the gum and jawline.
Dental implants: A beautiful smile gives people confidence and self-esteem, and it is hard to display when a person is missing teeth. Implants will help restore that smile.
TMJ surgery: A temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the body’s most complex joints that allows a person to eat, talk, and swallow without pain. When diseased, it can cause severe pain and massive problems. Surgery can help repair any damage to alleviate a significant amount of pain.
Sleep apnea surgery: This dangerous condition causes patients to stop breathing at night. There are a variety of surgeries offered that can open the airway to allow patients to breath easier at night and have a more restful sleep.
Orthognathic surgery: This corrects multiple facial and jaw irregularities and benefits include an improved ability to chew, speak, and breathe. In many cases, an enhanced appearance can also result.
Craniofacial implants: There are patients who suffer severe facial injuries in a car accident or due to treatment to a malignant disease or other issue. This type of surgery can help restore a person’s appearance and with modern technology, it will be indistinguishable from a person’s natural face.

When a tooth or jaw problem rises to a level that exceeds the expertise of a general dentist, it is time to call an oral surgeon who can use their expertise to help fix the problem as quickly as possible.

How Do I Know I Need Oral Surgery?

Pain in the mouth is the most telltale sign that a person needs the help of an oral surgeon. An impacted wisdom tooth is one of the more common conditions that an oral surgeon will address. When scheduling an appointment, an oral surgeon will be able to diagnose the problem and schedule treatment right away. They will meet with the patient to discuss treatment options and what each one entails. Included in that conversation will be recovery time and impact.

How Do I Prepare for Oral Surgery?

As with most surgeries, an oral surgeon will notify the patient ahead of time of any special preparations they should go through prior to surgery. Most will have to do with what the patient can consume prior to the surgery and how long they might require fasting. Other general preparation tips include:

Prepare a recovery space at home that includes everything a patient will require; the space should be clean and have essentials accessible to the patient.
Position the bed so that a patient will be able to sit at an incline.
Refrain from eating or drinking about eight hours prior to surgery. Some surgeries may differ on the timing, so it is best to listen to the surgeon.
Arrange for transportation to and from the surgery center. Many centers offer their own transportation service. Most patients will not be in any condition to operate a motor vehicle after surgery since they might have undergone anesthesia.

Having a recovery space and transportation established prior to surgery will alleviate any tension or anxiety that might exist afterwards. The patient’s primary focus should be the recovery process.

What are Important Things to Remember as I Recover?

After oral surgery, there may be complications that arise from oral surgery, although in most cases, they are minor. While recovering, a patient should remember to:

Relax: A patient should avoid strenuous activities, including heavy lifting.
Follow instructions: Following surgery, an oral surgeon will provide the patient with a list of instructions on what to do in the coming days. It may include how to brush their teeth in an alternative manner. Patients should follow these directions since not doing so can lengthen the recovery time.
Use ice: The first day of recovery may be the worst. Icing the face for 30 minutes will help. The swelling should diminish within a day or two.
Stop the bleeding: There could also be bleeding on the first day, which is natural. To alleviate the problem, a patient can gently bite down on gauze, which should help stop the bleeding. If it persists or becomes excessive, an oral surgeon should be called.
Let the mouth heal: Patients should avoid using a straw, drinking alcohol or carbonated beverages, smoking, or spitting for at least three days after the procedure.
Eat wisely: Certain foods should be avoided in the initial days after surgery. Patients should avoid foods that are too hot, cold, tough, chewy, or spicy. They should stick with soft chewable foods such as yogurt, applesauce, and instant oatmeal.
Take medication: In the first few hours after surgery and perhaps longer, a patient might be experiencing a level of pain. An oral surgeon may prescribe pain medication to help.
Be observant: There could be complications that arise, such as an infection or other problems that an oral surgeon would have advised the patient on. A patient should be aware of any pain that arises and inform their surgeon if there are problems.
Check in: An oral surgeon will provide a schedule of when the patient should check in for a follow up. The patient should keep to that schedule to ensure that they are progressing.

A patient should allow several days to recover and not get discouraged if they are not improving as quickly as they would like. These things take time and so long as the oral surgeon is pleased with the progress, that is the important aspect of the surgery.

Repaupo Oral Surgeons at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Perform Multiple Types of Surgeries for Patients

If you are experiencing an oral problem, the Repaupo oral surgeons at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons have the staff and training necessary to handle a variety of oral surgeries. From impacted wisdom teeth to reconstructing a damaged jaw, we can provide the treatment that you require. Call 856-582-4222 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Located in Washington Township, Haddonfield, and Woolwich Township, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout South Jersey.