What Can I Eat After My Oral Surgery?
Following your oral surgery near Citrus Heights, it will be best if you temporarily stick to eating soft
foods. Items like brothy soups, smoothies, applesauce, and even ice cream are all okay. Just be sure that
whatever you choose doesn’t have any hard portions that might irritate your surgical sites.
The timeline for when you can begin to eat harder foods varies depending on the nature of the procedure you
underwent. For example, if you had your wisdom teeth taken out, you should be able to resume a normal diet
within a few days to a week. For more complex surgeries, such as dental implant placement, it might be quite
a bit longer before you can enjoy tougher foods again.
How Long Will I Have To Rest?
Circumstances are different for each patient. In general, most people are able to return to work or school
within a day or two of their surgery. However, if your job requires a lot of physical exertion, it would be
wise to take a bit more time off of work. The key is to listen to your body and rest as much as it tells you
to.
What Is A Dry Socket? How Can I Prevent It?
Dry socket is a complication that affects 2% - 5% of individuals who undergo wisdom tooth extractions. It
happens when the blood clot at an extraction site gets knocked out of place (or never forms in the first
place). You can greatly reduce your risk of suffering from dry socket by not smoking, not using straws, and
staying away from crunchy and hard foods during the first few days after surgery. If you do develop dry
socket, it is important that you seek treatment from your oral surgeon near Citrus Heights as soon as
possible.
Will I Be In Pain During My Recovery Period?
Soreness, swelling, and even a bit of bleeding are to be expected after most types of oral surgery.
Pain-relieving medications, ice, and sleeping with your head propped up can help to manage discomfort and
keep swelling to a minimum. If you are ever in severe or abnormal pain, contact us right away. Dr. Ji will
want to assess the problem and help you find relief as soon as possible.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Oral Surgery?
Dental insurance policies vary in how they approach oral surgery. However, many of them do cover at least
some of the services we provide. Our team will be happy to help you maximize your benefits. We are even
in-network with some major PPO insurance plans. Simply give us your policy information before your
appointment so we can verify your coverage and figure out how it applies to your upcoming procedure.
WHAT DOES AN ORAL SURGEON DO?
Oral surgeons are experts in providing both simple and complex treatments, like wisdom tooth extractions and dental implants. Furthermore, they have the extensive education and training needed to conduct emergency oral surgery, which is extremely helpful for patients who were in an accident or need reconstructive dental surgery.
One of the many reasons our patients choose and trust Dr. Sheng Ji is because he isn’t just an oral surgeon; he is board-certified and has trained in both dentistry and medicine. As a result, he can conduct a wide range of treatments with the utmost attention and compassion.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DENTIST AND AN ORAL SURGEON?
Since many general dentists offer a wide range of treatments, including tooth extractions, you may be wondering what the difference is between a general dentist and an oral surgeon. To start, oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete additional training beyond dental school, providing them in-depth education on how to treat conditions that impact the jaw, mouth, and face. For this reason, they are capable of handling both simple and complex procedures, which is why general dentists often refer their patients to an oral surgeon if their dental needs aren’t straightforward.
CAN I GO STRAIGHT TO AN ORAL SURGEON?
You absolutely can! For example, if you’re struggling with tooth loss and know you’re interested in dental implants, then you can absolutely get in touch with our team to schedule an appointment. With that said, many patients don’t realize they could benefit from the expertise of an oral surgeon until their general dentist mentions it.
Dr. Ji and our team truly enjoy working collaboratively with general dentists. This allows us to create and implement the most ideal treatment plan for each patient’s specific dental needs and smile goals!
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ORAL SURGERY?
Our board-certified oral surgeon in Citrus Heights, Dr. Ji, can help with a wide range of treatments. A few of the most popular ones include tooth extractions, dental implants, facial trauma repair, corrective jaw surgery, wisdom teeth removal, and emergency dentistry.
DO ORAL SURGEONS 'PUT YOU TO SLEEP'?
Sedation dentistry has multiple benefits, from relieving dental-related anxiety to allowing more dentistry to be completed in a single visit. At our office, we offer several types, including nitrous oxide, oral conscious, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. While the more powerful types will cause you to drift off into a peaceful doze, that isn’t always necessary. For some patients, simply breathing in nitrous oxide is enough to take the edge off and allow them to remain comfortable in the treatment chair. Ultimately, the decision of which type is best for you will be made by you and your oral surgeon.
Do oral surgeons cost more?
Since oral surgeons provide state-of-the-art care and treat complex cases, visiting an oral surgeon typically comes with a higher upfront investment. Don’t let that discourage you from scheduling an appointment though! After all, visiting a highly trained specialist can benefit your wallet, your smile, and your overall quality of life in the long run.
Do oral surgeons remove wisdom teeth?
Yes! Oral surgeons are especially beneficial when it comes to removing impacted teeth and other unique cases that require a level of expertise to complete. Ultimately, their goal is to remove the tooth or teeth in order to relieve pain, prevent infection, avoid swelling in the jaw or face, and prevent shifting of the surrounding teeth. Don’t worry – Dr. Ji is known for his gentle touch and compassionate approach to treatment. As a result, patients can relax comfortably in his treatment chair throughout the procedure. Plus, if you need help with dental-related anxiety or experience head, neck, or jaw pain, we offer sedation dentistry to help!
Do I need an Oral Surgeon?
Ultimately, that decision is up to you! Patients in Citrus Heights are referred to an oral surgeon by their general dentist depending on each patient’s unique circumstance and treatment needs. Some common examples include impacted wisdom teeth extractions, surgical extractions, and dental implants. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our team! Dr. Ji would be happy to sit down with you to learn a little more about your dental needs and share his recommendations.
What is a referral?
Simply put, a referral is the act of referring someone for further action. In our case, that’s a dentist referring their patient to our practice. Dr. Ji genuinely enjoys working with nearby dental professionals. Not only does this allow him to take a big-picture approach to the patient’s care, but it also helps ensure they get the absolute best treatment possible. So, while you don’t need a referral to visit our office, we certainly welcome it!