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About Oral Surgery

What is oral surgery?

The head, neck, face, jaws, and mouth are collectively referred to as the oral and maxillofacial area. An oral surgeon is an expert in this area. They are doctors who have received specialized training and education to perform treatments and surgical procedures of the head, neck, face, jaws, and mouth.

Stephenville Oral Surgery performs a broad scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures at their practice in Stephenville, TX. Services include general tooth extraction, wisdom teeth removal, dental implant placement, some limited facial trauma, and more.

Our patients are sharing their stories about the care they received at Stephenville Oral Surgery.

Why choose an oral surgeon?

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is an expert at the diagnosis and treatment of the complex structures of the head, neck, face, jaws, and mouth. An oral surgeon will start their career by earning a Doctor of Dentistry (DDS) degree before completing a hospital-based residency program. The residency training that an oral surgeon receives provides them with invaluable experience learning about general surgery, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, and more. Because of their specialized training, they can safely administer all levels of anesthesia. Visit our Anesthesia Options page to learn about the different types of anesthesia offered at Stephenville Oral Surgery.

When do you need oral surgery?

An oral surgeon is an expert at diagnosing and treating conditions related to the oral and maxillofacial area. An oral surgeon commonly performs procedures such as dental implant placement, general tooth extraction, and wisdom teeth removal, but they can effectively perform a broad scope of procedures and treatments, such as

The team at Stephenville Oral Surgery care about your comfort, health, and safety. Along with an experienced and compassionate surgical and administrative care team, Dr. McPhillips is dedicated to improving your oral health and achieving your best results.

Please contact us to make an appointment with Dr. McPhillips.

Preparing for Oral Surgery

Stephenville Oral Surgery wants you to have the best possible experience at our practice in Stephenville, TX. While we make every effort to ensure your health, safety, and comfort, we also believe in our patients being an essential part of their own treatment. By being an active participant in your care, you can improve your oral health outcome by facilitating the healing process and reducing the risk of post-operative complications.

When you come to Stephenville Oral Surgery, your treatment plan will be discussed with you in detail. This will also include instructions for your pre- and post-operative care. It is important that you follow the instructions you have been given by your oral surgeon to ensure your best possible outcome. For your convenience, our standard pre- and post-operative instructions can be found our website.

We want you to feel good about your oral surgery every step of the way. To help you on your journey toward improved oral health, here are some things to keep in mind.

Consultation

The very first step to any oral surgery procedure begins with a consultation with our experienced oral surgeon, Dr. McPhillips. This first visit is important because it allows Dr. McPhillips to get to know you and your condition in order to design the best treatment plan for you. You can expect to receive a complete oral evaluation, have any necessary diagnostic images taken (such as 3D imaging), discuss options for anesthesia, as discuss Dr. McPhillips’ tailored surgical plan.

This consultation appointment is the best time to ask any questions or address concerns you may have about your oral health or treatment.

Arrange Transportation

The oral surgery procedures performed at our practice in Stephenville, TX, are considered outpatient procedures. This means that you will be able to go home the same day as your procedure.

Please keep in mind that anesthesia is used for most oral surgery procedures. Depending on the type of anesthesia you receive, you may need a responsible adult who can drive you to and from your procedure. This person must also be able to monitor you at home for the first 24 hours following your procedure.

Pain Management

Following any surgical procedure, some discomfort can be expected. To manage your pain, you may be prescribed medication or provided recommendations and instructions for over-the-counter medications. It will be important to follow the instructions given.

Preparing Your Home for Your Recovery

Many patients find that setting up their homes ahead of time for their recovery allows for a more comfortable experience. A common recovery area is the bedroom – having clean linens with lots of pillows for the bed and reading materials and electronic devices within reach are just some of the ways you can make your bedroom an ideal space for a comfortable recovery.

Nutrition is especially important during this time. You can save yourself a trip to the store by stocking your refrigerator with soft foods and plenty of liquids and place some ice packs in the freezer before your surgery.

What to Expect During Recovery

The type of oral surgery treatment you receive, as well as your current health condition and lifestyle, will play in role in your recovery time. To ensure you achieve the best outcome and minimize your risk of complications, please follow the pre- and post-operative instructions your oral surgeon provided you.

Most patients experience an uneventful recovery period. Some pain and swelling are normal after oral surgery. However, if you are experiencing significant pain despite medication, excessive bleeding or swelling, or have any concerns about your recovery, please contact our office as soon as possible. If you call after hours, you will reach our answering service. They will contact Dr. McPhillips immediately who will then promptly call you to address your concern.