Oral Surgery in Los Angeles
Both of our expert downtown Los Angeles dentists are also trained dental surgeons and hold DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degrees. Therefore, they are fully capable of performing most dental and oral surgery procedures in our downtown Los Angeles dental office. Oral surgery can refer to any surgical procedure performed in or around your mouth and jaw, either by dentists and dental surgeons or by oral and maxillofacial surgery specialists trained to perform certain complex kinds of surgeries.
Types of Oral and Dental Surgery in Los Angeles
There are many types of oral and dental surgery, including surgical procedures such as a tooth removal or a root canal. Some oral surgeries may involve repositioning of the jaw. In other instances, oral surgery may involve removal of a tumor. Oral surgeries might be performed by dentists and dental surgeons or by any one of a number of dental specialists, including endodontists, periodontists, prosthodontists, and oral/maxillofacial surgeons.
Some of the most common oral surgeries for teeth, gums, and jaws may include:
- impacted wisdom teeth
- gum grafts
- tooth implants
- maxillofacial surgery
- root canal
- jaw and teeth repair following an injury
- lesions and tumor removal
For these and other tooth and jaw procedures that go beyond the expertise of a general dentist, you might need a specialist oral or maxillofacial surgeon's help.
Preparing for Oral Surgery in Los Angeles
Prepare for mouth surgery in the same way you would for any serious medical procedure, depending on the type of surgery. And always make sure to follow your Los Angeles dental surgeon's directions.
Start by making sure that the space you’re returning home to is clean and neat, so you’re comfortable for at least a couple of days, if necessary. Set up your bed so that, if need be, you can sit at an incline. Follow the pre-surgery instructions your oral surgeon gives you. Typically you will be asked to refrain from eating or drinking anything in the 8-10 hours before your surgery.
Arrange for transportation back home, if necessary. Talk to your downtown Los Angeles dental surgeon or oral surgeon about what kind of anesthesia you’ll be getting. Some types of anesthesia can inhibit your ability to drive. Depending on the type of oral surgery you’re having you may have a topical or local anesthetic. If you are having an IV anesthesia, you’ll need someone to drive you home.
Recovery after Dental Surgery in Los Angeles
Your dental surgery recovery is of critical importance to the outcomes you and your dentists have discussed. Don’t smoke or drink alcohol afterward - hey can slow your healing process. Soft foods eaten at room temperature are the ideal foods to eat after oral surgery. Avoid consuming anything through a straw and don’t eat any hard, crunchy, or chewy foods. If you’re in any pain from swelling, use an ice pack to reduce inflammation. Rather than brushing your teeth, rinse your mouth with salt water every few hours to kill off any bacteria.
Be patient with yourself. Depending on the type of mouth surgery you’ve had, recovery can range from 2 days to 1 month. Make sure you follow up with your Los Angeles dental surgeon as directed. Oral surgeries are common and can range from simple to complex. It’s important to be prepared and to properly manage your recovery. Set up your recovery space for optimum comfort, make sure you’ve arranged for someone to drive you home, and give yourself a minimum of 2 days to heal.
Our downtown Los Angeles dental office dentists and dental surgeons can handle most mouth surgery problems in-office. If they think you need a specialist oral surgeon's help, they’ll refer you to an appropriate specialist surgeon in Los Angeles.