If you have a dental procedure coming up you might be wondering if there is any pain involved. In this post, our Calgary dental team shares the after-effects of dental surgery and what you can do to manage any discomfort.
What is dental surgery?
Dental surgery, or oral surgery, includes the diagnosis and surgical treatment of defects, diseases, and injuries of the hard and soft tissues of the mouth, face, jaws, and teeth. At Market Mall Dental Care, we take a preventive approach to dental treatment and always use the least invasive treatment possible for a given dental issue.
However, in some situations, dental surgery may be required to correct an issue and restore your oral health.
Here are some common types of oral surgery:
- Dental implants
- Root canal
- Impacted wisdom tooth removal
- Jaw and reconstructive surgery
- Cosmetic dental surgery
Will I feel pain during or after dental surgery?
Depending on your comfort level and how complex your oral surgery procedure is, your dentist or oral surgeon may use one or more types of anesthesia to reduce pain and help you feel more comfortable.
After your surgery, you’ll be given after-care instructions to help alleviate any pain and aid your recovery.
During Surgery
The following methods may be used to help you stay pain-free during the procedure:
Nitrous Oxide
This gas is inhaled through the mouth and nose. It will help calm you, reduce gag reflex, decrease anxiety and make time seem to pass quicker. This option offers minimal sedation that will help you feel drowsy and relaxed.
Local Anesthesia
When local anesthesia is used, it is applied via injection into your gums around the area in which the procedure will be taking place. The initial injection creates a small pinching sensation that fades quickly as the numbing sensation takes effect.
With a local anesthetic, you should not feel any pain or sharpness but may be able to feel pressure or movement. For a simple extraction, your dentist or oral surgeon will likely use a local anesthetic, and you’ll be awake for the procedure.
After Surgery
Your dentist may recommend taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), to help manage any post-operative pain or discomfort.
If you had a complex surgery involving the bones and gums your dentist may prescribe you a stronger pain reliever.
How can I manage pain?
After dental surgery, follow your dentist’s post-operative self-care recommendations. These might include:
- Get lots of rest - no strenuous physical activity
- Prop your head on a pillow when lying down
- Apply an ice pack on your cheek or affected area
- Eat soft, cool foods (to avoid shocking any sensitive nerves)
- Use warm compresses
- Rinse with saltwater starting 24 hours after surgery
Though there may be pain involved with your dental surgery, your dentist or oral surgery can help manage pain with sedatives and local anesthesia during the surgery.
Following your procedure, prescription medication or over-the-counter drugs may be recommended to help manage postoperative pain or discomfort. Though your recovery timeline will vary depending on the surgery, most tenderness and discomfort from minor oral surgery fade within a few days.
