How to Prepare for an Oral Surgery Consultation with a General Dentist

The prospect of needing oral surgery can be daunting, but the process can be made easier with a bit of preparation on the patient’s part. A general dentist can explain practical pre-surgery arrangements can promote the proper healing of the dental work and also lessen any aftereffects.

Preparing for a general dentist consultation

An oral surgery consultation involves the dentist and the prospective patient sitting to discuss everything related to the procedure itself and the recovery. In particular, it is a time for the patient to alleviate any concerns related to the surgery. A prospective patient should come prepared with all the questions they have, ranging from which dental option is suited for them to what preparations they should make for a speedy recovery.

General health status for the consultation

The general dentist might require a patient to cease taking certain medications in conflict with the upcoming surgery. Therefore, during the consult, the patient typically needs to furnish a full report of their overall general health. In some cases, the dentist may ask the patient to pause a particular medication for up to 14 days before the surgery. Similarly, if the patient has a health condition such as heart disease, circulatory issues or even pregnancy, they may not be a candidate for the oral surgery after all at that time.

What to bring to an oral surgery consultation

Patients should bring documents such as a valid driver’s license, an insurance card and an official account of their medical history. Since the conversation could be extremely detailed with much information involved, it can be a good idea to bring something to take notes, like a notebook and pen or a tablet. A voice recording device could even do the trick, so long as the dentist is aware and is fine with being recorded. In the consultation, the general dentist may also provide a set of detailed instructions on how the teeth should be cared for before and after the appointed procedure. The patient should take note of it all.

Other helpful tips

The dentist may ask about the patient’s transportation plans following the surgery. The patient should consider how they to get back and forth from the procedure, so as to avoid driving impaired. If a driver is not available for them, then the dentist may have information about other transportation options in the area. Patients can follow these tips as well:

• The patient should brush and floss the morning of the consult, as the dentist will most likely want to inspect their mouth.
• It is important to be on time for the consultation so that the dentist will not be rushed.
• After the consultation, the patient should gather all the necessary items the dentist has suggested for a good recovery, such as ice packs, soft pillows, soft foods and various over-the-counter medicines.

Conclusion

Many people may not look forward to facing an oral surgery. However, the process can be made more manageable, quick and painless thanks to a consultation with a general dentist. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.leedentistryoxford.com or call Lee Family and Cosmetic Dentistry at (662) 546-1143 for an appointment in our Oxford office.#Oral Surgery

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