Our Apex Dentist Shares Tips on Preparing for Oral Surgery

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At some point, most people will need to undergo standard oral surgery, like wisdom teeth removal. The more you know and prepare for the oral surgery, the less anxiety you will experience, and the better you will be able to recover. Below are some tips to follow when preparing for oral surgery in Apex NC.

Talk to Your Dentist

Your dentist will usually be happy to answer any questions you might have about the upcoming procedure. Common questions you might want to ask include:

  • How many teeth will you remove?
  • Will you use general or local anesthesia?
  • How long will the oral surgery take?
  • How long will my recovery take?

It also never hurts to research the procedure in advance. Researching will help you identify more questions you’d like to ask.

Make Arrangements for the Day of Surgery

Most oral surgeries occur when the patient is under general anesthesia. This means that you will not be able to work or drive during the day of the surgery. Make sure you have scheduled the day off (if applicable), arranged for childcare (if applicable), and have arranged for someone to drive you to and from the appointment. Note that you will likely be too uncomfortable to perform normal activities on the day after surgery, too.

Stock Up on Supplies

After your procedure, you will do well to have the house stocked with soft foods, NSAID pain medications, and cold packs. Your dentist will most likely give you gauze and cold packs to take home with you, but it always helps to have backups (and may help calm your nerves before surgery, too.) If your dentist plans to prescribe a pain reliever, ask him or her to let you fill the prescription a day early so you can avoid a trip to the pharmacy when you are still groggy. We also recommend having favorite movies and a comfortable recovery area set up and ready to go!

Avoid Eating Before Surgery  

General anesthesia can make patients experience nausea and vomiting, so your dentist may recommend that you stop eating at midnight on the night before the procedure, and skip breakfast and/or lunch the next morning. Ask your dentist or oral surgeon if you need to avoid eating or drinking before the surgery.

Need Oral Surgery or Wisdom Teeth Removal in Apex?

If you need wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, or another restorative dentistry service in Apex, we can help. Our skilled dentists and dental hygienists will make sure your experience is as relaxing and comfortable as possible. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our Apex dentist office, please contact us here!

Our Apex Dentist Explains the Treatment Process for a Dental Implant

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If you are missing a tooth, a dental implant is an excellent way to restore your smile and jaw alignment. No other form of tooth replacement so perfectly mimics the natural tooth structure, root and all, while leaving surrounding healthy teeth untouched. Below is some more information about our Apex dental implant treatments.  

Step One: Post Insertion in the Jaw  

After an initial consultation meeting to discuss your treatment plan and payment details, you will return again to our Apex dental office for the first part of your dental implant surgery: the insertion of a titanium post into your jawbone. This post will eventually be hidden beneath the gum line, and act as the artificial “root” of the tooth. Once the post has been inserted, you will wait for 3-6 months for the jaw and gum tissue to regrow. The gums and bone tissue will grow up around the implant, integrating with it perfectly. 

Step Two: Attaching the Post 

After a few months, your gums and jaw will have healed, and you will be able to return to our office for the second part of your treatment. Our Apex dentist, Dr. Hansen, will attach what is called a “post” to the implant. You might think of this as the scaffolding inside the new tooth’s crown. In order to attach the post, the dentist will need to remove a small amount of gum tissue. That is why you will once again wait several weeks for the tissues to heal. 

Step Three: Attaching the Crown 

Finally, you will return for your last appointment, where your dentist will attach a crown to the post. This crown restoration will look identical in color and texture to the teeth that are surrounding it. After making some adjustments for bite and fit, you will be ready to head out the door with a tooth that is just as sturdy and stable—if not more so—than the old one! 

Why Dental Implants Are Beneficial for Jaw Health

One reason why most dentists prefer dental implants to other dental solutions, like bridges and dentures, is that they give adequate support to the jaw. Once your tooth’s roots are gone, your jawbone begins to naturally deteriorate. This can cause changes in your facial shape, contribute to bite problems, and lead to painful jaw issues such as TMJ. The dental implant, by contrast, allows your jaw to stay strong and stable, preserving the health of your other teeth and your oral health as a whole.

Need a Dental Implant in Apex? 

We understand that the idea of a dental implant can be scary (even for grown-ups!) However, we are very fortunate to have this remarkable development in dentistry. Dental implants have a very high success rate and are almost unnoticeable to most patients. In fact, some of our patients who are returning for a dental cleaning do not remember which tooth is the implant tooth until we remind them! If you would like to schedule an appointment to learn more about our dental implant services, click here.