In fact, in order to get the desired treatment outcomes from your oral surgery, it’s important to do what you can to reduce your chances of side effects or complications after the procedure.
Your oral surgeon will review your post-operative instructions with you early in the treatment planning process and reinforce them as the date of your surgical appointment draws near. The first step in preventing complications is ensuring that you are a good candidate for the procedure to begin with. You should be healthy and free of infection while undergoing the surgery.
You may be impatient to move forward with a procedure like dental implant placement or orthognathic surgery if it will enhance your appearance, but if an infection is present, it is best to postpone the procedure until the infection has cleared completely. Otherwise, you may face an increased risk of post-operative complications.
The oral surgeon will also review what you can and shouldn’t do after the surgery. A few activities, most notably smoking, can interfere with the healing process after any type of oral surgery. Many patients may also get a prescription for a preventive antibiotic to reduce their chances of developing a post-operative infection. Depending on the type of surgery, you may need to alter your diet and restrict your physical activity for several days.
There may be specific risks associated with specific procedures, as well. For example, a painful condition known as dry sockets is the most common complication associated with wisdom tooth extraction. Some actions, like using drinking straws or smoking in the few days after the surgery, can increase this risk so your oral surgeon will give you a list of preventive measures that can cut your chances of dry sockets.
Follow your oral surgeon’s instructions for your greatest chances of a successful recovery after oral surgery. If you have any questions, please ask our team at Great River Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery so we can address them and help you to a speedy recovery!