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Frequently Asked Questions:

Do we do sedation dentistry? (Usually they mean general dentistry)

We provide sedation and general anesthesia for oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures including implant placement or tooth removal. We do not perform sedation for tooth fillings, root canals, crowns, or cleaning.

Why do I need a pan x-ray when I already have an x-ray of my tooth (usually meaning a full mouth series)?

Most of the dental x-rays that are put inside the mouth will show most of the tooth and tooth root. However, it is difficult to put the small dental x-ray back far enough in the mouth to get a complete picture without making you gag or retch. A panorex shows all of the wisdom teeth and the areas around them including nerves and sinuses. It is important for the surgeon to be aware of any individual anatomy that you may have in and around the areas that he/she is working.

Why do I need a consultation visit or office visit when I just saw my dentist and they referred me to you? He already said I need this tooth out.

When you are referred to a surgeon to have an operation, your surgeon must know your medical history, condition and must agree with the procedure that has been recommended by your dentist. The surgeon is a highly trained dentist, receiving training for at least an additional four years after dental training. Skipping the consultation may put you at risk for a compromised outcome from the surgery.

Can I fax my x-ray?

It is important for your surgeon to have the opportunity to completely evaluate your x-ray. If you fax the x-ray, it is hard to see everything that is necessary to make the correct diagnosis and do the best surgery. It is best if you have a film copy of your x-ray or a digital image that has the best clarity or resolution possible to allow the surgeon to do the best job possible. Occasionally duplicate x-rays are not diagnostic, and you may need an additional radiogaph taken at your first visit.

Why do I need an adult escort to be put to sleep?

The medications given for general anesthesia or sedation will impair your ability to reason and drive for several hours after the operation. It is not necessary however that you be in our facility for the entire time that it takes for you to recover from the drugs that are used to provide sedation. Your escort is responsible for making sure that you make it home safely and in a timely fashion after the operation. You must have your escort present when the procedure is being performed and afterwards, because it is possible that we may not do your procedure or cannot continue if we feel it is best to stop. If your escort is not present and detained in some way, then you may spend an unnecessary amount of time in the recovery area.

Do you feel any pain under local anesthetic?

The local anesthetic “freezes” the area that is to be treated. However, you may still experience pressure sensations or tingling in the area of surgery. In situations where there is an active infection, the LA sometimes is not as effective and therefore you may have some sensation associated with the surgery. Sedation and general anesthesia allow the surgeon to mitigate the anxiety and fear associated with surgery. In most situations, a medication that provides sedation and reduces pain associated with surgery is given concomitantly. This allows for a less stressful oral and maxillofacial surgery experience.

What do I need to know about implants?

It is important for you to realize that replacing your teeth with dental implants requires a team of a surgeon and a prosthodontist or restorative dentist. The surgeon will remove teeth, augment the jawbone and place the implants. The prosthodontist may provide a temporary false tooth at the time of implant placement. In some situations however, we may advise that it would compromise or harm your treatment if you had replacement of teeth immediately and we will advise that you allow healing without teeth for some period of time. In some situations with ridge augmentation, this may take months. We attempt to coordinate your care as much as possible to give you the least amount of time as possible without teeth.

How long do I need to be out of work after my tooth extractions?

This varies with all patients and the treatment they have received. If four wisdom teeth are difficult to remove, a person may have pain and discomfort for 7-14 days whereas another person for only a few days. Your surgeon should be able to make an estimate based upon your prior experience, amount and severity of surgery, and your pain tolerance.