Frequently Asked Questions About Oral Surgery

Why do I need a consultation, I already consulted with my dentist?

Dr. Boudreaux or Dr. Fisher needs to meet with you to go over your health history, take new XRAYS if needed, discuss anesthesia, suggest treatment, and lastly, you need to meet with our financial coordinator to go over insurance benefits & payment options.

What type of XRAYS do I need and why?

We typically require a panoramic XRAY that is twelve months current. We will use recent, diagnostic radiographs form your referring dentist if available. We also take a iCAT or Kodak Conebeam 3-D CT Scan for select patients, usually in cases where patients are interested in dental implants, but also to diagnose a wide array of other dental abnormalities such as supernumerary teeth, some impacted teeth, cysts, TMJ, fractures, facial abnormalities.

What type of insurance do you accept? Is it filed under my medical or dental?

We work with all private insurance companies. As a courtesy to you, we will file to your insurance company for you. We do not accept insurance as a form of payment for our services. We do however accept Care Credit, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, cash, or check. See our Financial Policy.

Will I be all the way asleep for my procedure?

Unless otherwise discussed with Drs. Boudreaux or Fisher, you will be put under MAC anesthesia via IV. You will be completely & comfortably sleeping for your procedure.

Why chose an Implant vs. a Bridge?

A dental implant is the best option on the market to replace a missing tooth. It looks and feels like your natural tooth, and it also allows you to clean around it like a natural tooth to help promote a clean and healthy mouth. With a dental implant you don’t compromise the adjacent teeth like you do in a bridge situation. With a bridge, your dentist would file down your neighboring teeth, which could cause sensitivity and allow cavities to potentially form under the crowns that could go undiagnosed and cause you to lose the bridge. With a dental implant, the bone is stable and the implant actually prevents the bone from deteriorating away. Implants have a 96% success rate and are cost comparative to the bridge option.

Why does my driver have to stay in the waiting room while I am in surgery?

We ask that you have a responsible adult here with you the day of surgery that can make decisions on your behalf should Drs. Boudreaux or Fisher need to know something in regards to your health history while you are under IV Sedation.

I had my surgery 3 days ago, why is my face more swollen today?

If you have had a procedure performed here in the office, you should expect to have post-operative swelling. The more invasive the procedure, the more swelling a patient typically notices. The body usually has its worst day for swelling and associated pain on the third day, following the procedure. Just remember to apply ice to the area the first 48 hours only, and then rest/sleep with your head elevated to reduce swelling.

What can I eat after my procedure?

We would suggest a soft diet for the first 3-6 days following surgery. A soft diet consists of any food you can mash with a fork. Examples include scrambled eggs, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, soup, etc. All dairy should be avoided the first 24 hours. Do not drink beverages through a straw for 1 week following surgery. Read our Post-operative instructions.

Can I brush my teeth after surgery?

Yes, you can and should brush your teeth after your procedure. It is very important to keep the mouth clean to speed up the recovery process. Just avoid the extraction sites directly with your toothbrush, but do clean as close as you can. Attempt to avoid running your brush over potential sutures we could have placed.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We take all major credit cards. We also accept cash, check, and Care Credit.

If Drs. Boudreaux or Fisher has me stop medications before surgery, when can I restart those following my surgery?

Either Drs. Boudreaux or Fisher or a nurse will give you special instructions the day of your procedure on when to restart your medications.

What medications do I need to stop before surgery?

Plavix, Coumadin, Warfarin, & other blood thinning medications should all be stopped 3-7 full days prior to your procedure. (Please DO NOT stop any blood thinning medications on your own, as we require approval from a cardiologist directly before stopping them.) However, you can stop Vitamin C, Naproxen, Advil, Ibuprofen, and Fish Oil 5-6 days before the procedure. If you have severe medical conditions, are presently under care of cardiologist/ pulmonologist/or other internal medical specialist, we will schedule a consultation appointment & receive approval from your treating physician prior to stopping any medications before surgery.

What days does Drs. Boudreaux or Fisher perform surgery?

Drs. Boudreaux and Fisher perform surgery Monday-Friday.

How soon can I get in for a consultation?

You can get in for a consultation generally within a week or less. Surgical appointments are usually within a week of your consultation visit.

Do I need a referral to come to your office?

No, you do not need a referral to see Drs. Boudreaux or Fisher. However, if your insurance company requires you to have one, then you can obtain that from your dentist.

Is sedation safe?

Yes, the sedation is very safe. Drs. Boudreaux and Fisher are ACLS/PALS/BLS & board certified by the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons to perform general anesthesia in the office, has a registered nurse whom is ACLS trained, and BLS trained surgical assistance to help with patient care.