What to Ask Your Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS) Before Surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, or OMS, are called upon to complete surgical dental procedures. Some of the most common surgical oral and dental procedures include removing wisdom teeth, removing impacted teeth, placing dental implants, repairing facial trauma and repairing broken or damaged jaws.

If you are going to be treated by an OMS, there are many important questions you should ask to ensure you understand your diagnosis, treatment options, and what surgery and recovery entails. Here are a few of the important questions to ask. 

Diagnosis Questions

There are many important questions that you should ask upon being diagnosed with an oral or dental condition that requires assistance from an OMS. Some of these questions include:

• What is my actual diagnosis?
• How will it affect my daily life if I choose to not treat the issue?
  
  

This will help you understand what you are dealing with and the severity of the condition. 

Treatment Questions

Once you understand the diagnosis, you should start to ask questions about the treatment process.

• Do I need surgery, or is there a non-surgical option?
• What other treatment options are available to me?
• If surgery is recommended, ask why is surgery the best option?
• What are the benefits of having surgery compared to other treatment options?
• Will it be one surgery or multiple surgeries?
• How much will it cost to treat?
  
  

Having this knowledge will help you decide the course of action that works best for you. 

Surgery Questions

Once you've elected to have surgery, there are a number of questions you can ask that pertain to the surgery itself, while others are about preparing for the procedure.

• Is anesthesia necessary, or is a different type of sedation an option?
• What do I need to do to prepare for this surgery? When should I stop eating and drinking?
• How long will the procedure take? 
• What will surgery day look like for me?

These questions will help you to plan for surgery day and know what to expect. Being prepared can help calm any nerves on the big day. 

Recovery Questions

The final set of questions that you should ask when talking to an OMS is about your recovery process. You want to ensure that you understand what recovery will be like for your procedure.

• What aches and pains are normal and which are a sign that something might be wrong?
• When can you eat or drink after the procedure?
• What medications are okay to take after the procedure?
• When should you follow up with the OMS?
• When can you return to work, school, or exercise again?
  
  

All of these are important questions to ask about recovery following a surgical procedure. 

When you need treatment from oral and maxillofacial surgeons, you need to take the time to find a surgeon you can trust and rely on. Here at Northwest Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we can help to diagnose and treat many oral and facial conditions. Reach out to our office today to schedule a consultation.