Learning to Manage Your Dental Problems

3 Things To Consider When Choosing An Oral Surgeon

20 June 2016 by Charlotte Beck

No matter the reason for your procedure, the prospect of oral surgery can be a bit overwhelming and stressful. The more you know about the oral surgeon you'll be working with, the easier it will be for you to prepare for your surgery and maintain some peace of mind throughout the process. Before choosing which oral surgeon to work with, it's a good idea to schedule consultations with a few doctors beforehand. This process will help you figure out which doctor can meet your personal needs and preferences – here are three considerations to make when meeting with potential oral surgeons that can help you find the best possible doctor for your situation:

Intake Procedures

Almost all oral surgeons have their own unique intake procedures that are followed depending on the type of facility they work in, the number of staff members they have to work with, and the kind of procedure that is being done. Some surgeons may require you to check in several hours before your surgery for treatments or checkups before the procedure takes place, while others may ask you to check in just 20 minutes before surgery is scheduled. Ask potential surgeons what their intake procedures are and whether or not you'll be expected to provide your own reading material, clothing for surgery, and other resources that may be needed before and during your surgery.

Paperwork Processing

Due to things like insurance filings and medical test results, dealing with all the paperwork that is generated due to your surgery can be pretty overwhelming. Because of this, it's a good idea to determine whether or not a potential oral surgeon is willing to take care of all the paperwork that is involved with your surgery. This should help ensure that nothing important is overlooked that could inhibit proper payment from your insurance company, or that complicates your surgery in some way. Make sure that your surgeon is not only willing to retrieve, process, and store all your paperwork, but will also provide you with copies of everything as it is processed.

Recovery Resources

It's also important to find out whether or not a surgeon you're thinking of working with will provide you with recovery resources that make the healing process more convenient and less stressful. While some surgeons may provide you with nothing more than a list of instructions to follow once you get home, many are happy to provide you with additional items and support such as:

• Special tooth care products that help soothe the mouth during recovery.

• Nutritional supplement suggestions that can help improve the healing process.

• Recommendations for books, magazines, and other literature that will provide you with insight into the recovery process.

• A list of foods that should and shouldn't be eaten during the first few days of recovery.

By learning about what will be provided after surgery to support you through the recovery process, you'll have some clear insight about what to expect once the surgery is over.

Add these considerations to a list of your own questions and concerns before meeting with possible oral surgeons to ensure that nothing of importance is overlooked.  

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