At the initial consultation, the oral surgeon typically just examines the patient to assess various aspects of the patient’s oral structure that will be relevant to the proposed procedure. Most patients will not undergo any invasive interventions at the first visit.
Additionally, the oral surgeon should give you the information that you will need to prepare for the surgery and give you a sense of what to expect in the initial post-operative period.
The oral surgeon will also begin to collect data that will help us to plan your procedure, whether that is wisdom tooth extraction, corrective jaw surgery, dental implant placement or some other type of oral surgery. This may require x-rays, in addition to a visual examination. The oral surgeon may also want to take impressions, depending on the type of surgery that is planned.
To help make this process go as smoothly as possible, please bring any information that you already have about your diagnosis, such as previous x-rays and your referral slip from your family dentist. Your medical history can also influence your treatment, so be prepared to discuss that as well and bring a list of all of the medications you’re currently taking.
Patients should also bring all pertinent insurance information, including the insurance card and any necessary forms, to the first visit so that payment processing is not delayed.
We also request that you bring a photo identification, such as a driver’s license or state ID card, to verify your identity.
This initial consultation gives you the opportunity to start to build a relationship with your oral surgeon, which is a very important, if under-appreciated, component of the process. You should feel comfortable asking your oral surgeon any questions you may have about any part of the surgery or recovery or to discuss any of your concerns.
Knowing what to expect at your first appointment with an oral surgeon can set the stage for a positive experience with the surgery. If you have any questions about that initial session, don’t hesitate to contact any of our four convenient locations and speak to our professional staff to get your answers.