When you think of surgery, you probably picture a procedure that is complex for you and your treatment team. Oral surgery may also cause you some anxiety, especially if you’ve never had it before. However, oral surgery can be comfortable and simple if you are prepared.
Foad Farhoumand, DDS, and Farah Farhoumand, DDS, offer numerous dental services at Farhoumand Dentistry in Vienna, VA. Drs. Foad and Farah Farhoumand and the rest of our team of experts provide compassionate, comprehensive care so you feel comfortable before, during, and after any of our services, especially oral surgery. We have compiled 4 tips below to help you prepare for surgical procedures.
1. Be informed
Oral surgery can address many issues in the mouth, jaw, and gums, but a common reason for oral surgery is tooth extraction. You may need tooth extraction if you have implanted wisdom teeth or tooth decay that cannot be fixed with a root canal, and you will very likely undergo sedation for your comfort.
Drs. Foad and Farah Farhoumand want you to feel at ease leading up to your surgery. It’s important to us that you are fully informed, so make sure you have any clarification you need about the following topics:
- Why you need oral surgery
- What risks might be associated with your procedure
- What benefits the surgery will provide you
- Steps you should take before, during, and after the procedure
- Your full treatment plan
- What occurs during the surgery
Of course, you should also discuss any other questions or concerns with our Farhoumand team. You may even want to schedule an additional consultation so that you feel fully prepared.
2. Follow all pre-surgery instructions closely
The instructions our team provides for you are important, especially if you are receiving sedation as part of your oral surgery. With all the knowledge and advances in modern dentistry, we can greatly minimize any risks with sedation and guarantee your comfort at the same time.
You will need to fast for eight hours before your appointment; this includes both food and drink. If our team advises you to take any medications as part of your pre-surgery plan, you may take the pill with a small amount of water.
Make sure you come for any appointments. Depending on your procedure, we may need to take x-rays and models of your mouth, so we can effectively and efficiently complete your oral surgery.
3. Arrive prepared for your procedure
Come to our office about 20 minutes before your scheduled procedure. This guarantees you will have time to fill out any additional paperwork, and you will be able to discuss any further questions you have before your surgery. We also want to make sure you have time to relax.
If you are receiving sedation, you might want to wear short sleeves so we can, with less inconvenience to you, take your vital signs, attach your IV, and better monitor you during the surgery.
4. Plan for your recovery
Our job as your oral health provider does not end with your surgery. Drs. Foad and Farah Farhoumand and their team care about your recovery, too. We may recommend medication and ice for pain, and we also provide guidelines for wound care.
If general anesthesia was part of your procedure, you need to arrange for a ride home from our office. You should also prepare to rest for the remainder of the day.
Some other preparations will help make you more comfortable after your surgery. Purchase some softer foods to eat so your mouth can heal, and practice self-care by relaxing and caring for your needs.
Keep our office contact information available in case you have any follow-up questions or concerns.
If you think you may need oral surgery to address a dental concern, schedule an appointment at Farhoumand Dentistry. Our team will walk you through each step to maximize your comfort and guarantee that you receive the best in care. You can call or use our easy, online scheduling tool.