Whether it’s due to an accidental injury or a planned tooth extraction, oral surgery may be necessary for your child at some point. And knowing what to expect for your child’s oral surgery will help reduce any anxiety you or your child may be feeling.
The most common oral surgeries performed on children and adolescents are tooth extractions, frenectomies, exposure of impacted or non-erupted permanent teeth, or for accidental injury or trauma to the teeth or face. If your child has recently been referred for oral surgery, here’s what you can expect from Bay Oral Surgery & Implant Center.
Before the procedure
If oral surgery is needed, it will most likely be recommended by your family dentist during your child’s regular dental checkup appointment. Your dentist will refer your child to an oral surgeon for more specialized treatment. When your dentist refers your child to an oral surgeon, they will provide the surgeon with all of the details regarding the situation and what treatment plan is recommended.
The next step will be visiting the oral surgeon. For children under age 12, or for children with health concerns, the oral surgeon will want to see your child for an exam prior to the procedure. This will ensure they have an accurate medical history and can review the procedure with you. They will explain what to expect, the steps of the surgery, the type of anesthesia that will be used, and answer any questions you may have. They will also provide you with pre-op instructions.
After the consultation, Bay Oral Surgery will check on your insurance coverage for the recommended treatment plan.
In the event of an emergency situation (ex. your child falls and injures a tooth), you should contact your dentist or an oral surgeon immediately and this process will be expedited.
During the procedure
On the day of the procedure you should have your child follow the pre-op instructions provided by the oral surgeon. A parent or legal guardian must accompany your child to the appointment and remain in the clinic for the length of the procedure. During the surgery your child will be under the specialized care of the oral surgeon and surgical assistants. The length of time for the procedure will vary depending on what is being done, but most oral surgeries take about an hour or less.
After the procedure
When the surgery is complete, Bay Oral Surgery will provide you with post-op instructions to follow specific to your child’s procedure. (You can also view our video series of post-op instructions on our website, here.) A parent or legal guardian will need to escort your child home. Your child should try to rest for the remainder of the day. You will be advised to have your child eat soft foods, such as soup and yogurt, until their mouth is feeling better. A follow-up appointment with your oral surgeon is usually not necessary unless recommended by the oral surgeon.
At Bay Oral Surgery & Implant Center we want to answer your questions and make sure you feel comfortable with the entire process, so we encourage you to ask any questions before, during or after the surgery. To get started, schedule your consultation here.