Mantua Oral Surgeons

There are a variety of reasons why a patient will find themselves in need of oral surgery. They could have suffered a massive injury to their mouth that caused severe damage to their teeth or jaw. They could also be facing a debilitating disease that has caused a deformity in the mouth, or they could be suffering from a respiratory problem, such as obstructive sleep apnea.

Regardless of the reason, our hospitable and well-trained oral surgeons at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons will help patients through the procedure from beginning to end. They can handle multiple types of surgeries and work with patients to ensure that the entire process goes as smoothly as possible.

What Procedures Do Oral Surgeons Perform?

When meeting with an oral surgeon, the doctor will diagnose the problem and determine the best course of action. If it is decided that surgery is the best path forward, the surgeon will schedule that immediately. However, the doctor will discuss with the patient if there are any non-surgical options and the benefits and risks of those options. The surgeon will also discuss the recovery from these treatments and their impact.

Oral surgeons can perform different kinds of procedures, including:

• Dental implants: It can be difficult to feel confidence when a person cannot show off a smile with all their teeth. Dental implants can make people feel better about themselves and improve health.
• Wisdom teeth extraction: Impacted wisdom teeth can be more trouble than a patient may realize. They can have a significant impact on a person’s mouth and health, including infection resulting in severe pain. By extracting the tooth, it will eliminate the pain and stop any damage to the gum and jawline.
• Orthognathic surgery: Orthognathic surgery will repair any irregularities with the face or jaw. The benefits of this include improving a person’s ability to chew, speak, and breathe.
• Craniofacial implants: When an individual is involved in a major accident, they can experience facial injuries. Patients can also suffer such injures because of the treatment of a malignant disease or other issue. Craniofacial implants can restore a person’s appearance.
• TMJ surgery: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the body’s most complex joints, and when healthy, it allows a person to eat, talk, and swallow without any pain. When diseased, it can cause severe pain and massive problems. TMJ surgery can help repair any damage to alleviate a significant amount of pain.

When a patient encounters a tooth or jaw problem that requires surgery, that is when an oral surgeon should be seen.

How Can You Prepare for Oral Surgery?

Prior to surgery, the surgeon will provide a detailed list of steps to take in the hours and days leading up to surgery. Although each surgery is unique and therefore the preparations will be specific to the actual surgery, there are a few general guidelines that most patients can expect to occur.

In many cases, oral surgery will require a certain amount of anesthesia or intravenous sedation. These will allow the patient to sleep or be comfortable during the surgery and not feel any pain. However, given the power of these drugs, a patient must take certain steps ahead of time. Those steps include:

• The patient may not have anything to eat or drink, including water, for eight hours prior to surgery.
• They are not allowed to smoke for 12 hours before surgery, even though it is a good idea to quit smoking altogether.
• The patient will not be permitted or able to drive after surgery; therefore, they should have a responsible adult accompany them to the surgery center, remain there, and drive them home.
• A patient should refrain from operating a vehicle or heavy machinery for 24 hours after surgery.
• The person should wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up past the elbow. For their feet, they should wear low-heeled shoes with a closed toe.
• A patient will have to remove their contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures prior to surgery.
• In addition, they should refrain from wearing makeup on the day of the surgery, including lipstick and nail polish.

On the day of the surgery, if the patient learns that they have an illness, even something as minor as a cold, they should notify the office as quickly as possible.

For those taking routine oral medications, the patient should reach out to the prescribing physician, primary care physician, or check with the surgeon prior to the surgery for additional instructions.

For those who have any questions on what they should or should not be doing prior to surgery, it is best to reach out to the office before the procedure.

Mantua Oral Surgeons at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Treat a Variety of Conditions Involving the Mouth and Jaw

If you are having a problem with your teeth or jaw, you might need oral surgery. One of our experienced Mantua oral surgeons at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons can diagnose your problem and issue a proper treatment plan. Call us at 856-582-4222 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Located in Washington Township, Haddonfield, and Woolwich Township, New Jersey, we are dedicated to helping patients throughout South Jersey.