There’s a reason why there are an estimated 4,160 oral and maxillofacial surgery providers in the United States. We rely on these professionals to treat a wide variety of conditions, injuries, and diseases.
Unfortunately, even if you have a great oral surgeon, it can sometimes be intimidating to meet with one. Often this is because patients feel like they don’t have the full picture in terms of their different treatment options.
The key to a confident oral surgery procedure is to know which crucial questions to ask your provider.
So what are some oral surgery consultation questions you should ask? In this oral and maxillofacial surgery guide, we’ll answer this question so you can decide whether or not a certain procedure is the right decision for you.
What Is My Diagnosis and How Will It Affect Me?
This might seem like one of the more basic questions for oral surgeons, but it’s also a vital one. Some conditions, diseases, and injuries can be hard to understand. So ask your oral surgeon to explain it to you.
If they’re using language that’s hard to understand, ask them how it will affect your daily life. Many oral conditions can affect the way you eat and talk. And, sadly, they often get worse over time.
This first question is also important because it will determine what, if anything, your oral surgeon can do for you.
Are There Any Non-Surgical Options?
Most of the time when it comes to things like dental implants or wisdom tooth removal, surgery is the logical option. It can help you avoid dental complications in the future.
That being said, not all conditions need immediate surgery. For example, obstructive sleep apnea can be treated with a CPAP breathing machine. And there are other potential treatments for TMJ disorders besides surgery.
Aside from having an intensive recovery period, surgery procedures are also often more expensive. This can be hard for people on a dental budget.
Because of this, you should ask your surgeon what the alternatives are to surgery. Ask if you think it’s a good idea to take them. Many patients prefer to exhaust all non-surgical options before resorting to a procedure.
What Are the Benefits and Costs of Surgery?
Ask your oral surgeon to explain the full range of benefits of the suggested procedure. It’s important to know if the treatment option is permanent, or if you will need additional treatment down the road.
You should also ask if there are any drawbacks to the procedure. Lastly, you need to discuss the potential costs of the surgery. One study found that nine out of ten people consider holding off on dental care because of the price.
And because oral surgery can sometimes be expensive, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. Ask for how much the estimated cost will be.
You should also check to see if your insurance company is in-network. This can help you save a lot of money when choosing an oral surgery provider.
How Intensive Is the Procedure?
Ask your oral surgeons to explain what will happen during the procedure. While some people might prefer not to listen to it, it’s an important part of understanding how intensive the procedure will be.
If you’re squeamish, ask for a general description instead of details. The more intensive the procedure, the more anesthesia you will need. It can also prolong the period of your recovery.
Another reason to know how intensive the surgery is is to get a grasp on the risk level. For most people, the risk of something going wrong during surgery is low.
However, if you’re a senior or immuno-compromised, it can complicate things. As such, you want to get a full picture to make sure that the procedure is safe enough for you.
How Do I Prepare for the Procedure?
Your surgeon should give you specific instructions on how you should prepare for the procedure. Most of the time, if you’re given some form of anesthesia, you’ll need to avoid eating or drinking for a certain number of hours before the procedure.
Some conditions might require you to get bloodwork done. You’ll likely need to pick up pain medication before the surgery. And, if you take certain medications that could complicate the procedure, you will need to avoid them before the procedure.
Most of the time, you will also need to organize a ride home. That’s because the effects of anesthesia will leave you groggy and disoriented.
This should be a friend or family member who can help get you safely inside after the surgery. Do not use rideshares or taxi cabs to get home, as this is not safe.
What Will the Recovery Be Like?
Certain oral surgery procedures, like wisdom teeth removal, have a relatively short recovery period. You will likely need to rest, take pain medication, and eat more carefully for a few days.
However, certain situations can prolong the recovery period by as much as two weeks. For example, if you smoke or don’t watch what you eat, you can get dry sockets, which might require additional treatment.
As such, you should make sure to ask your surgeon how to have a smooth recovery. Other procedures, like certain jaw surgeries, can take weeks for the swelling to go down.
As such, you should ask your surgeon how long the recovery period will be. This is especially important if you need to take time off from work or school. It helps you schedule any sick days you might have.
Looking for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Providers? Contact Jenkins, Morrow & Gayheart OMS
We hope this guide helped you learn more about the patient questions for surgery you should ask oral and maxillofacial surgery providers. Here at Jenkins, Morrow & Gayheart OMS, we know how important transparency is during the diagnosis and treatment options.
That’s why we do our best to answer any questions you might have while giving you a full range of the benefits and drawbacks associated with treatments. So if you’re ready for a transparent oral surgeon experience, get in touch with us today.
Recent Comments