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Whether you’re preparing for a procedure or just researching, dental surgery (often called oral or maxillofacial surgery) covers a wide range of treatments designed to fix functional or aesthetic issues in the mouth, teeth, and jaw.

Here is a breakdown of the most common procedures, what to expect during recovery, and how to prepare.

Common Types of Dental Surgery

Dental surgery can be as simple as a quick tooth pulling or as complex as a hospital-based jaw reconstruction.

  • Tooth Extractions: The most frequent surgery, often for impacted wisdom teeth or teeth too decayed to save.

  • Dental Implants: Placing a titanium post into the jawbone to act as a root for a replacement tooth.

  • Bone Grafting: Adding bone to your jaw to provide a solid base for implants if your natural bone has thinned.

  • Root Canals (Endodontics): Though common, complex root canals sometimes require surgical intervention at the root tip (Apicoectomy).

  • Gum Surgery (Periodontal): Procedures like gum grafts to treat receding gums or “pocket reduction” to treat advanced gum disease.

  • Corrective Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic): Used to fix skeletal misalignments that affect chewing, speaking, or breathing.

Recovery Timeline & What to Expect

Healing depends on the procedure’s complexity, but most follow a standard pattern:

Phase What to Expect
First 24 Hours Focus on clot formation. You’ll have some bleeding and numbness. Do not use a straw, smoke, or spit forcefully, as this can cause a “dry socket.”
Days 2–3 Swelling and bruising usually peak here. Use ice packs on your cheek (20 mins on/20 mins off).
Days 4–7 Discomfort should begin to fade. You can usually start gentle warm salt water rinses.
1–2 Weeks Most soft tissue is healed, and stitches (if not dissolvable) are removed.

Post-Surgery Nutrition

Sticking to a soft-food diet prevents irritation to the surgical site.

  • Safe Foods: Greek yogurt, mashed potatoes, lukewarm soups, protein shakes, scrambled eggs, and applesauce.

  • Avoid: Spicy foods, crunchy snacks (chips/nuts), acidic juices, and very hot coffee or tea.

When to Call the Dentist

While some pain is normal, reach out to your surgeon if you experience:

  • Fever or chills (signs of infection).

  • Persistent bleeding that doesn’t stop with firm gauze pressure.

  • Severe pain that isn’t helped by prescribed or OTC medication.

  • Numbness that lasts more than 24 hours after the procedure.

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