Information aboutoral surgery
Generally
We wish to solve your problem whether it is removal of wisdom teeth, infection, or minor jaw pain. Most patients are a bit nervous before a surgery – this is totally normal. We will do our best to make you feel safe and comfortable.
All surgeries are performed in local anesthesia. If desired, we can prescribe a sedative tablet before the procedure.
Most of the procedures we carry out are routine, and the procedure itself usually lasts between 10-30 minutes. Some additional time is allotted as we need to await the effect of the anesthesia as well as to prepare the procedure and give you postsurgical information.
Make sure to be well rested, eat a solid and nourishing meal, and drink lots of fluids 1 to 2 hours before the surgery. Try to avoid stress and exhaustion.
Arrive on time! Patients who have asked for a sedative tablet should arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time.
Before the surgery
A guide to patients before the oral surgery
Referral
When we receive a referral from your dentist, the type of surgery necessary to solve your problem, has in most cases already been decided – whether it is an infection, a cyst, or jaw pain.
Health form
When you arrive at our clinic, you need to fill out and sign a health form. This is a necessity, as we need to consider some patient’s medications and previous/current diseases, when planning the treatment. Your signature is also relevant, so we can send a copy of your X-rays and discharge summary to your own dentist after the treatment is completed. We make sure to inform your dentist per letter about the undergoing treatment.
Waiting time
We try, to the best of our ability, to keep up with the schedule to ensure that all patients get the best and most professional treatment possible. All patients are entitled to the time required/necessary to achieve a fulfilling result. This means that there at times can occur unpredictable delays in the surgical schedule. We hope for your understanding in this matter. Should this happen near your time of surgery. It is possible to get informed how much waiting time has occurred upon your arrival at the clinic.
Information
When you meet in for your scheduled appointment, one of our dental assistants will bring you to a clinic. The dental surgery assistant will give you information about the imminent surgical procedure and if necessary additional X-rays are performed. Afterwards, the surgeon will speak with you and give you a thourough description of the surgery. Don’t hesistate to ask questions if in doubt or feel the need to have anything elaborated. . When the necessary examinations and X-rays have been made, and you feel comfortable, the surgeon applies the local anesthesia.
Prices and payment
If you wish to be informed about the price of a specific treatment, it’s possible to get an estimated price before the treatment has started. Our prices are default prices, so you can always be informed of the exact price of the surgical procedure after the oral surgeon has examined you.
It is expected that you pay after the surgery for example with a credit card. If you wish another arrangement, please contact our office before the start of the treatment.
Operationen
It takes a few minutes before you’ll feel the effect of the local anesthesia. At this time you’ll be covered with a sterilized cloth to keep the area around the mouth clean during surgery. You must avoid touching the green cloth or your mouth with your hands. Some might feel discomfort being covered up. If this is the case, don’t hesitate to inform the dental assistant, so we can find an alternative solution which works for you. When the surgical procedure starts you’ll sense some pressure or dragging in the specific area. Other than that noises may occur if a drill is used, but it shouldn’t result in any pain. Generally you can expect a totally painless process. Though it is important that you immediately express if you feel any discomfort or notice any beginning pain during the surgery, so additional local anesthesia can be applied. The anesthesia’s effect is usually worn out after approximately 2 hours.
The result
At the end of the surgical procedure, a couple of fine stitches are made to make sure the wound is healing quickly. How fast the wound will heal depends on which surgery has been performed. In most cases, a final X-ray will be performed after surgery to check and document that the surgical result is as planned. Cyst and inflammetory tissue removed during surgery is sometimes forwarded to a pathologist for a histological examination. If this is the case, don’t be nervous. This is a routine procedure which is required if tissue has been removed from the surgical area. The histological examination itself is free of charge for you and is not subejct to additional costs. In these situationens we will forward the results of the examination to your dentist when we receive them from the pathologist. Should you have any questions regarding this, ask the surgeon after the procedure.
Nervous patients
Most patients are a bit nervous before a surgery. We will do our best, to make sure you are comfortable and accomodate your needs. Patients who are very nervous, and who wish to, can get a sedative tablet before the surgery. In this case, you are not allowed to drive or be on your own in trafic after the surgery. Make sure to bring someone with you who can get you home or get picked up by a driver. There are no additional costs for you, if you choose to receive a sedative tablet before surgery.
Ended treatment and payment
Our dental assistant makes aure to give you a thourough run-through of all possible postoperative genes. This is also described in the written instruction you’ll get with you home. You will get the necessary prescription from either the dental assistant or at the reception. You may only leave the clinic when you have been given permission.
If any further X-rays have been taken after the surgery these need to be inspected and approved by the surgeon before you leave the clinic. You’ll need to schedule an appointment to get the stitches removed either with us or your own dentist – depending on what has been agreed upon with the dentist who made the referral. You’ll be asked to settle the payment before you leave the clinic.
If you have any further questions, or you experience any postoperative discomfort, don’t hesitate to contact us during our opening hours.
Postoperative information
After surgery
The wound in the mouth needs time to heal. It is a good idea to take it easy and be cautious. Swelling, pain and discoloration of the skin are not uncommon and can occur. If you have had a wisdom tooth removed, your ability to open your mouth can be reduced for several days.
The following precautions can help in most cases.
On the actual day
Wait to eat (avoid hot food and drink) until the anesthesia has worn off, otherwise you can risk to bite your tongue, lip or cheek. Once you get the feeling back don’t hesitate to eat.
Stay calm, avoid physical hard work. Avoid touching the wound.
Pain
Once the anesthesia has worn out, there may be tenderness and pain. It is best and most comfortable to avoid pain. So take 2 tablets. à 500 mg (adult) Panodil (Pinex, Pamol) before the effect of the local anesthetic stops, and continue to take 2 tablets 1-4 times daily if necessary. If you have been prescribed painkillers on prescription, these shall be applicable, as stated on the prescription.
Swelling
Only a few avoid swelling in the surgical area. This is a normal reaction and isn’t necessarily an expression of infection. An ice pack may be applied locally over the swelling during the first 12 hours after surgery. The swelling will be worst during the first days after surgery and will slowly disappear after 2-3 days. If the swelling – after a few days – suddenly gets bigger and you experience increasing temperature/fever and/or swallowing difficulties, there may be a developing infection, and you should contact the clinic, your dentist or physician.
Bleeding
It is quite normal that there will ooze a little blood from the wound during the first day. It may look worse than it is because the blood mixes with saliva. If there was placed gaze as compression after the surgery, it must be kept in the mouth for approx. one hour. Regular bleeding is stopped by biting on gaze or something similar for up to 60 min. If the bleeding does not stop, contact the clinic, your dentist or physician.
Other medications
Other medications prescribed by us are to be used, as indicated on the prescription.
Mouthwash
To keep the wound clean, start rinsing it with Chlorhexidine 0.1% the day after surgery. Do this for one minute, twice a day, for 5 days. Do not rinse your mouth 1 hour before and after brushing your teeth
Sleep
Remember to take painkillers before going to sleep on the day of the procedure. Use an extra pillow so your head is elevated.
Brushing
It is severely important to keep your mouth clean. An unclean mouth creates a higher risk of infection. Remember to brush your teeth normally, but be careful not to brush the wound.
Food
Remember to drink and eat all meals and eat plenty. The body uses energy to heal the wound. Avoid hot food and beverages the first day. Instead eat and drink soft/fluid and temperate/cold meals.
Tobacco
Smoking has negative effects on healing. Tobacco should be avoided immediately after surgery.
Contact
if you need any further information, help or instructions, please contact us.