How Long is Oral Surgery Recovery

Following any type of oral surgery, there will be a recovery period. How long this recovery takes and what type of self-care is required will depend primarily on the severity of your case, what type of procedure is performed, and your body’s natural healing rate. The most important thing you can do following your oral surgery is to closely follow post-procedural aftercare instructions. These instructions may vary, but in general the two primary types of therapies used to alleviate pain following oral surgery are:

Pain Medication: Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) like Advil (ibuprofen), Tylenol (acetaminophen) or a combination of both is often sufficient in managing post-procedural pain following oral surgery. Opioids are generally avoided if possible, as they can cause constipation, sedation, and respiratory depression, however for more invasive oral surgeries, these may be prescribed to help alleviate discomfort.
Ice therapy: Another effective method for managing pain and controlling swelling is to apply ice packs to the swollen area for fifteen-minute intervals, leaving the pack on for fifteen minutes and leaving it off for fifteen minutes.

The Healing Process

For the first 24 hours following your oral surgical procedure, it is important to avoid physical activity and spend as much time as possible resting. If possible, try to schedule a few days off from school or work. You should also try to avoid driving during the first 24 hours, especially if general anesthesia was used during your procedure.

Some bleeding is common following an oral surgical procedure, especially if you have a tooth extracted. Bleeding can typically be managed with a gauze pad, which should be replaced every thirty minutes to an hour. If bleeding does not stop, contact your periodontist to see if additional care is required. Post-procedural swelling is also common. To help minimize swelling, use ice pack therapy over the swollen area for fifteen to twenty-minute intervals and sleep and rest with your head slightly elevated.

Most patients are able to return to normal activities within two to three days following their procedure, though the recovery period may take longer for more intensive procedures. Most stitches will also naturally dissolve within this two to three-day period, unless the stitches need to be removed by your oral surgeon, in which case a follow-up appointment will be scheduled to complete this part of the recovery process.

The best thing you can do to ensure that your recovery process goes as smoothly and quickly as possible is to follow the aftercare instructions provided to you. If you follow these instructions and continue to experience issues such as bleeding that does not stop, persistent numbness, a fever that lasts more than 24 hours, or pain that seems disproportionate or is intensifying, contact our office as soon as possible at (800) NEW-LOOK or fill out an online form at https://coastaljaw.com/appointment-request/

At Coastal Jaw Surgery, we are committed to improving your oral health, aesthetic appearance of your smile, and overall quality of life and helping you enjoy a fast and painless recovery!