What to Expect

Consultation

• Typically, your doctor will send over a referral for treatment, however, we do see patients without a referral. Either with or without a referral, the surgeon will require detailed information about current and past oral health issues. Prior to your appointment, you’ll be asked to fill out a registration form that includes a complete medical history, details regarding drug allergies, previous surgeries, and current health conditions. The form will require you to list all prescription and over-the-counter medications you take. Be thorough, as the information you provide is crucial to planning your treatment and avoiding complications. The registration process will also require you to provide all information regarding insurance coverage if applicable.
• You may also need diagnostic imaging tests, as X-rays and CT scans provide clear, three-dimensional pictures that are helpful in planning and performing oral and maxillofacial procedures. If needed, the treatment team will take those at your appointment and have them ready for the oral surgeon to review.

Diagnosis

Next, your oral surgeon will perform a visual inspection of your mouth, including hard and soft tissues, as well as the jaw to determine your oral health condition. This provides the data to make a clear and definitive diagnosis of the surgeon’s findings.

Discuss options

• Once all information gathered has been reviewed, the surgeon will present treatment plan options. This appointment is interactive and provides you the opportunity to ask questions, discuss the options for treatment, including how to prepare for the procedures and what you can expect during recovery. You’ll also go over your sedation and anesthesia options. Complex oral and maxillofacial surgeries may require general anesthesia, but in some cases, patients are able to choose the sedation method they prefer. Once the plan has been agreed upon, a consent form will be presented for you to review and sign.
• After the surgeon has completed the evaluation and the treatment plan has been determined, our treatment coordinator will provide costs associated with your care, including estimated coverage expected from your insurance policy. A financial treatment plan will be presented for your signature, a down payment made and an appointment will be secured. You will be given pre-op instructions to review before leaving and an opportunity to ask any questions.

Treatment

Perform surgery on the same day if available OR for complex medical history or treatment plan, procedure will be scheduled on a separate day.