How to Get an Oral Surgery Referral

How to Get an Oral Surgery Referral 

For major surgical procedures, it’s important to see a specialist in the field in order to receive the best care possible. However, if you’ve been notified by your general dentist that a wisdom tooth extraction is necessary, or that dental implants are the chosen treatment to replace missing teeth in your smile.
In order to see an oral surgeon, and to ensure collaboration between them and your general dentist for further treatment, a referral is recommended. But how do you get an oral surgery referral?

Speak to Your General Dentist

As the only professional who can provide a referral for a dental specialist, speaking to them first can give you better insight as to what to expect when visiting an oral surgery practice. Most times, general dentists have a network of local specialists who they can refer you to if you have extensive procedures that need to be done. Once they’ve gone over what to expect from treatment and provided you with contact information or have scheduled a consultation at the specialist’s office, you can move forward by attending that visit and receive the care you need.

Contact Specialists in Your Area or Insurance Network 

On the chance your general dentist does not have a connection to the type of specialist you require, independent research can help you to find a specialist’s contact information. Your general dentist can take the time to contact their practice to determine if they would be an ideal option for you.
If you find that many of the recommendations are far from your local area, take a look online to see who is in your general vicinity. This can be easily done through your insurance network provider if their website has a database you can use. You can do your own research and see any reviews left by previous patients. Your dentist can then provide a referral and you can schedule visit yourself or have them contact the specialist's practice for you.

A referral to see an oral surgeon is the recommended method of receiving a consultation for your specific oral surgery procedure. This collaboration between dentist and specialists can make transferring over x-rays and other medical documents easy and provide interdisciplinary treatment so that your oral health is taken care of.

At Lorton Spring Field Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, we provide experienced oral surgery procedures that restore the health of patients’ smiles. For more information, or to schedule a consult, contact us today.

The Myths of Sedation Dentistry

The Myths of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is often misrepresented. Some see it as unnecessary or even harmful. Others just can’t tell whether it’s right for them. For patients who fear the dentist, it’s one of the most practical and efficient forms of treatment available. Even those who do just fine at the dentist’s office may not be aware of potential benefits.

If you’re curious about sedation dentistry but are unsure what to believe, read on to learn about and debunk some of the most common sedation myths.

Sedation Dentistry Makes You Unconscious

While it’s true you will be in a twilight state under sedation, you will still be conscious and capable of responding to simple commands. Many people think of sedation and general anesthesia as interchangeable terms when, in fact, the two techniques couldn’t be any more different. Sedation dentistry makes you feel drowsy enough that you don’t feel any discomfort or anxiety while you receive treatment.

You Can Only Receive Sedation for Complex Procedures

Sedation dentistry is very safe and can be used for even the simplest procedures. Patients who are unable to receive a dental cleaning due to their anxiety benefit from sedation techniques like nitrous oxide or IV sedation. On the other hand, more invasive procedures like wisdom teeth extraction can be combined sedation in pill form. If you’re interested in sedation options to improve your patient experience, contact Lorton Springfield Dental Implant Oral Surgery today!

Sedation is Only for Patients with Dental Anxiety

Sedation dentistry became well-known due to the many benefits it carries for dental anxiety patients; however, sedation is also effective on individuals who do not exhibit any fear. Patients with disabilities may be sedated to keep them calm during treatment while those with a sensitive gag can receive treatment more comfortably.

Particular procedures, like dental implants or veneers that are on the cusp of being more invasive, usually involve sedation practices instead of general anesthesia as a better way for dentists to monitor their patients.

The Side Effects

As with any dental procedure, there is some risk involved with sedation, but with proper care and diligence, you may have some side effects. At most, you will remain drowsy after your treatment, but any sensation will wear off in a matter of hours. And to always better prepare, it’s better to have a trusted friend or family member bring you to and from your appointment if you know you will receive sedation.

Your dentist will also explain recovery details so that you know what to expect after receiving sedation. As long as you follow your dentist’s instructions, you shouldn’t experience any issues.

Learn More About Sedation By Scheduling an Appointment!

If you have questions about sedation dentistry or would like to find out whether the technique is right for you, contact Lorton Springfield Dental Implant Oral Surgery and schedule an appointment!