Periodontal or “gum” surgery is needed when conservative non-surgical treatments are ineffective in completely eradicating the periodontal disease. Luckily, periodontal surgery is a very simple and extremely effective technique to treat advanced periodontal problems.

Apical surgery is considered a standard oral surgical procedure. It is often the last resort to surgically maintain a tooth with a periapical lesion that cannot be managed with conventional endodontic (re-)treatment. The main goal of apical surgery is to prevent bacterial leakage from the root-canal system into the periradicular tissues by placing a tight root-end filling following root-end resection. A major step in apical surgery is to identify possible leakage areas at the cut root face and subsequently to ensure adequate root-end filling. Only a tight and persistent apical obturation will allow periapical healing with good long-term prognosis.

The dentist will request in-depth past medical history before a patient can be sedated. Not all patients are able to be sedated. Patients who are anxious, nervous, or scared of dental visits may request sedation for a variety of dental services from a regular cleaning to wisdom teeth extractions. However, there may be other techniques to help a patient receive the necessary dental treatment in a safe and comfortable manner.

The duration of your oral surgery varies depending on the specific procedure recommended by your dentist. It may last from one hour to four hours or longer. For a schedule that accommodates your needs, inquire with your dentist for additional details.

The duration of recovery from oral surgery varies by type. Typically, it takes several days to a week for pain and swelling to reduce after wisdom teeth extraction. Gums may fully heal within a month. The dentist will advise a soft diet initially and offer comprehensive guidance on managing discomfort and swelling. Healing time for dental implants differs based on the individual and the specific procedure.

My jaw is stiff after the oral surgery, is it normal?

For 2 days after surgery, drink liquids and eat soft foods only. Such as milkshakes, eggnog, yogurt, cooked cereals, cottage cheese, smooth soups, mashed potatoes, refried beans, ice cream, pudding, fruit smoothies and protein shakes. 

On day 3 after surgery, eat soft foods that do not require much chewing, such as macaroni and cheese, cooked noodles, soft-boiled /scrambled/ poached eggs and soft sandwiches. 

Avoid tough or crunchy foods, such as pizza, rice, popcorn, and hamburger. 

Avoid spicy and acidic foods. Most patients may resume their normal diet 7 days after surgery.

• You experience excessive discomfort that you cannot control with your pain pills.
• You have bleeding that you cannot control by biting on gauze.
• You have increased swelling after the third day following your surgery.
• You feel that you have a fever.