What to look for in an oral surgeon - Leesburg

When a general dentist refers a patient to an oral surgeon, it can cause anxiety. Something is wrong, and often that something is at least perceived to be very troubling. Complex dental issues such as reconstructive surgery, or routine procedures such as cyst or wisdom teeth removal. Frequently, more invasive dental routines such as root canals or dental implants may require an oral/dental surgeon.

A good surgeon ensures the safety of the patient and reduces the risk of complications. The patient is provided with the most functional and aesthetically pleasing outcome. An exceptional surgical team helps the patient all the way through the process. They explain details, minimizing patient fear and discomfort. Importantly, they provide good support and guidance through the recovery period. Dr. Christopher and his team at Lake County Oral Surgery in Clermont and Leesburg provide the full support a patient deserves.

Important questions to ask your oral/dental surgeon

What are your academic qualifications? For which procedures are you certified and licensed?
What is your area of specialty? What is your experience, background, and knowledge with my specific problem? How many procedures like mine have you done?
Do you work best/have experience with children, adults, seniors, or all groups?
Are you a member of a professional dental or surgical society? Have you received any accolades from the group?
What should a patient expect from this surgery? Which techniques will the oral surgeon use? What should one expect before, during, and after the procedure?
Will anesthesia be used? What treatment options are available?
What is your philosophy on customer service and patient care?
Which benefits can a patient expect from a procedure, and what are the odds of success?
What are the risks, side effects, and possible complications arising from the procedure?
Do you offer emergency services? What happens if I encounter complications on weekends or non-working hours?
Which insurances do you accept?
What is the cost of the procedure? If the price is significantly more or less than other surgeons, why? Are payment plans available?
What anesthesia, if any will be used?
How long should the procedure take? The recovery?
Do you have your own surgical team (nurses, medical assistants, and/or anesthesiologists) on staff or that you work with regularly? Who will be assisting you during the procedure? What are the credentials of the anesthesiologist, if one will be used?
Are there any special things I need to do or avoid doing during recovery?
Will you be prescribing any medications for me, and if so, are there any known side-effects/bad interactions with other medications I might be taking?

Important questions to ask about your insurance policy

What does your dental insurance policy cover? Does the insurance cover the dental surgical procedure? Most of the dental insurance policies will include “necessary” treatment options such as extraction surgery, dental implants, or root canal. Cosmetic procedures or non- medical procedures are often excluded. It is important to check on the specifics of your policy.
Does the policy cover your preferred dental surgeon? Are costs different for in-network and out-of-network physicians?
What are your out of pocket costs? Take in to account both deductibles and co-pays. Also, identify what the limits for the coverage points are.

Oral surgeons – The basics

The American Dental Association classifies and recognizes dental oral surgery as one of the specialty areas in dentistry. The surgeon focuses on both diagnosis and surgical procedures, be it diseases, injuries, congenital disabilities, esthetic, and/or functional aspects of the maxillofacial region. The maxillofacial area covers the jaws, teeth, mouth, and face. Some defects and injuries to the facial and mouth region might affect fundamental processes such as swallowing, sleeping, talking, and eating. Such conditions often require the intervention of a specialist to rectify them. Dr. Christopher is one of the best in Central Florida.

The process is improving

Let’s admit it; nobody wants to undergo oral surgery. In the past, the oral surgeons did not work too hard to impress, comfort, or guide their clients. Not every surgeon had the best track records, but that was seldom known or discussed. Patients did not place too many expectations on these specialists. After all, you probably only meet a surgeon once or twice, and that was it. Also, most people felt they did not have a choice, and took the first specialist their dentist referred them to.

Over the years, however, the all of this is changing. It is common knowledge that a patient will feel comfortable, safe, and understood when the surgeon and his team pay personal attention to them as a patient and person. The best oral surgeons are now offering a much more holistic approach, educating patients and providing them comfort through knowledge and good guidance. Outcomes are better. Discomfort is minimized. Patient concerns are more readily addressed for positive and personalized customer experience. Within the dental field, the patient-doctor relationship has dramatically improved.

The surgical environment

Dental surgeries can be scary, but they don’t have to be. The least a surgeon can do is to ensure their clients are comfortable and relaxed. The oral surgeon’s working environment matters a great deal. A good environment should be well lit, clean, and comfortable. Hygiene is crucial. The room should afford patients comfortable seats, a relaxed environment with few distractions and proper air circulation. The facility should be well staffed, with personnel looking out for patients every step of the way.

Who needs dental oral surgeons?

The general dentist will typically refer patients to a specialist for oral surgeries. An oral surgeon is a link between the general dentist, the patient, and sometimes other medical specialists.

Some of the dental conditions oral surgeons treat include:

Congenital growth issues that affect the growth and development of teeth
Injuries, diseases, and defects of the maxillofacial area (jaws, teeth, and face) such as after trauma, collisions, or accidents
Installing dental implants or crowns
Pathological conditions in the face, mouth and jaw areas such as tumors and cysts
Facial pain due to problems, such as temporomandibular joint problems
Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery
Corrective jaw surgery and teeth realignment which affect chewing, speaking and swallowing
Obstructive sleep apnea issues for individuals with sleeping disorders
Removal of impacted and diseased teeth such as wisdom tooth removal

Your surgeon may work with other specialists such as plastic surgeons and medical physicians, but the surgeon determines the best course of action.

Choosing the right oral surgeon

Just like any other medical treatment, dental patients have many options to consider. With the large numbers of oral dental surgeons, how do you pick the right person for the job? Dental surgeries are not without risk, and complications can be extremely painful and debilitating if surgery is done wrong. The primary question is this – “Does my surgeon have the experience and know-how to do this specific procedure?” More specifically, how many similar procedures has the surgeon done, and what have been the outcomes? Sometimes, the right specialist for you might be further away from your area. Fortunately for Clermont and Leesburg, oral surgeon Dr. Christopher Johnson is one of the most respected oral surgeons in Florida.

What to expect before, during, and after an oral surgery

The surgical staff will schedule an appointment. The surgeon will determine the best treatment option depending on the diagnosis. You might be asked to share medical files from past treatments. Also, he/she will explain what to expect during the procedure, the best after-surgery care tips, and advice on follow up visits. As a patient, always asks about alternative treatment plan options, associated risks and benefits, and the estimated recovery time.

Finding reputable oral/dental surgeons can be nerve-wracking. With so many options to choose from, you need to find someone you can trust to make the best out of the procedure. Dr. Christopher Johnson D.M D has a great reputation, unwavering professionalism, and unsurpassed expertise as the preferred Clermont/Leesburg oral surgeon. Having been in the maxillofacial and oral surgery field for more than a decade, he clearly understands the needs of his clients. Employing the latest cutting-edge technology coupled with an experienced team, Dr. Christopher’s clients can rest assured that they are getting the best possible patient care.

Finding better surgeons…Google it!

Finding high-quality surgeons online is easy and fast. A simple Internet search of dental surgeons in the Clermont and Leesburg areas yields gives you a quick list of the most established surgeons in microseconds. The challenge, however, is finding a reliable and trustworthy surgeon.

As the patient conducts an online search, look out for the following background information, and explore these topics with your surgeon.

Experience – Experience matters and is often the most important factor in deciding on a maxillofacial dental surgeon. Seeking the service of an oral dentist with vast experience gives the patient peace of mind as there is the assurance of expertise. Also, the dentist knows how to handle the procedure thus eliminating guesswork.

Education background and credentials- Most trustworthy dental surgeons will share their qualifications and credentials alongside their names. Check out their website for specific certifications, associations they belong to, or indications they have advanced specializations in the procedure you are considering.
Reviews – Try to find out how other patients feel about the surgeon and his or her surgical team. Online reviews and information on the website should help you learn more about the physician.

When you examine all the factors, we think you will find that one of the top oral surgeons in Florida is Leesburg/Clermont’s own Dr. Christopher. For a free consult, please call us today at 352-728-6600.