Oral and maxillofacial surgery is commonly referred to as oral surgery and includes any surgical procedures associated with the teeth, soft tissues, or jaws—from wisdom teeth removal to cleft palate repair.
Oral & Facial Surgery In The Dalles, OR
For oral and maxillofacial surgery, surgeons receive specialized training to treat a variety of conditions affecting the face, mouth, and jaw. Common procedures include dental implants, tooth extractions, or improving the fit of dentures.
Oral surgeons perform simple and complex surgeries and care for accident victims who need reconstructive dental surgery. They can also perform soft tissue biopsies, tumor removal, jaw realignment surgery, soft tissue repair, or positioning of implants.
When Oral Surgery May Be Recommended
Oral surgery may be recommended when a dental concern cannot be fully addressed with a routine restoration or non-surgical treatment. In some cases, surgery is needed to protect surrounding teeth, improve function, reduce the risk of future complications, or support long-term oral health.
Some situations that may require oral surgery include:
- A tooth that is severely damaged or cannot be restored.
- Wisdom teeth that are impacted or causing crowding concerns.
- A tooth infection that has affected surrounding bone or tissue.
- Tooth loss that requires implant placement or preparation.
- Soft tissue concerns that need further evaluation or treatment.
- Bone or jaw structure concerns that affect function or comfort.
Before recommending any surgical procedure, Pine Ridge Dental evaluates the area carefully and discusses available options so patients understand the reason for treatment and how it fits into their overall dental plan.
What To Expect Before Your Procedure
Before oral surgery, your visit may include a detailed exam, digital imaging, a review of your health history, and a conversation about any medications or medical conditions that could affect treatment. This planning step is important because it allows our team to tailor care to your needs and reduce avoidable surprises on the day of your procedure.
Patients are encouraged to ask questions about anesthesia options, recovery expectations, eating restrictions, transportation needs, and post-operative instructions. Knowing these details ahead of time can make the process feel more manageable and help you prepare your home, schedule, and meals before surgery.
How Long Does An Oral Surgery Take?
Most procedures will only take a few hours to complete. Depending on how extensive the procedure was and what type of anesthesia was used, you may need to stay a few more hours to recover. Even if your procedure only takes a few hours, you should plan on avoiding activity and resting for the rest of the day.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From An Oral Surgery?
Most patients take one to two weeks to fully heal from an oral surgery. Additionally, patients should expect to rest for two to three days immediately following the surgery. Discomfort after the surgery can vary depending on what surgery you had done and how extensive it was. You will be prescribed medication to help with discomfort management post-surgery.
What Are Tips To Help With Recovery After An Oral Surgery?
There are many things you can do to help speed up your recovery after an oral surgery. See our list of tips to help ease your recovery:
- Rest for at least one day.
- Follow post-surgery instructions.
- Apply ice to your jaw to help reduce swelling.
- Avoid disturbing the blood clot.
- Practice good oral hygiene to keep the surgery site clean.
- Do not smoke for at least one week following the procedure.
What Foods Should I Eat After Oral Surgery?
Following your procedure, we recommend that you eat cool, soft foods. Soft foods will be much easier to consume and are less likely to disturb any blood clots. We recommend foods such as:
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
- Jell-O
- Soups
- Mashed potatoes
- Rice
- Oatmeal
It is also important to stay hydrated following your procedure, so be sure to drink lots of water. However, do not drink with a straw, as this can dislodge the blood clots. We also advise avoiding carbonation, alcohol, and other hot beverages for a week.
More Questions?
If you have more questions about oral surgery, please contact our office, and we will be happy to discuss further.