My Appointment

The initial consultation is a chance for you to meet the team at OMS Specialists. The appointment is generally 20-30mins long.

What needs to be done prior to your initial consultation?
Please complete the registration form that will be emailed to you in the weeks prior to your appointment. It will require:
– Contact information.
– Medical history; medications, allergies and previous procedures.
– Insurance and ACC details, if they are relevant.

What needs to be done prior to your initial consultation?
Our team prides itself on keeping to time, we would therefore be grateful if you could ensure you arrive in good time for your appointment.
– Additional x-rays may be taken at the start of your appointment, if the surgeon decides they are required.
– Your height and weight will be recorded.

– A detailed clinical history and physical examination will be undertaken by the surgeon.
– A discussion of all potential treatment options will take place.
– A discussion of the different anaesthetic options appropriate for your case will take place. These may include: local anaesthesia, intra-venous sedation (twilight anaesthesia) or general anaesthesia (completely asleep).
– A quote for the proposed treatment will be given to you and explanation how any relevant health insurance may be processed.

OMS Specialists require payment for the consultation on the day. These costs are often reimbursed/covered by health insurance.

We look forward to meeting you!

No eating or drinking 6 hours prior to the surgery, however sips of water are allowed up to 2 hours prior to the procedure.
If you have been instructed to take Oral Sedation 30mins prior to your appointment, you cannot drive following this and will need to be brought to the clinic by a responsible adult.

Please wear comfortable, warm and loose-fitting clothing.

Take your regular medications unless advised otherwise. Do not take any additional medications unless directed by OMS Specialists.

Please arrive 10-15 mins prior to your procedure time. We will need to confirm your details and we will require full payment prior to surgery.

You are not permitted to drive, operate machinery, or take responsibility for children for 24 hours after your procedure. You should not make any important decisions in this time.

Please ensure you have a responsible adult available to take you home and be with you for 6-8 hours following your procedure.
All surgery results in some discomfort, swelling and bleeding. You will likely be numb for 4-6 hours after a procedure due to the local anaesthetic you are given during your surgery. This means you should be very comfortable during this period. It is still important to take pain relief during this time to ensure that once any local anaesthetic wears off you have adequate pain relief in place.

If there is fresh bleeding from your mouth/wound please bite down firmly on the gauze provided by OMS Specialists for 30 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop, please ring OMS Specialists within hours, or your surgeon after hours. You will be provided with the number to ring.

Please take regular painkillers as advised by your surgeon. Some patients will also need to take antibiotics.

Avoid rinsing your mouth out immediately after your procedure. You can however brush your teeth on first night after surgery. It is important to keep your mouth clean.

Please eat soft food that is not too hot in the days after your procedure.

Undertake warm salt water mouth-rinses twice daily, commencing the day following surgery. Mix one teaspoon of salt with a quarter of a cup of warm water. Bathe the surgical site for 30-60 seconds and then rinse out.

Often dissolvable stitches will have been used. These can take up to 3-4 weeks to fully disappear.

Some discomfort, swelling and bleeding will be expected after dental implant placement. You will likely be numb for 3-6 hours after your procedure due to the local anaesthetic you are given at the time of surgery. It is important to continue to take pain relief during this time.

If there is fresh bleeding from your mouth please bite down firmly on the gauze provided by OMS Specialists for 30 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop, please ring OMS Specialists within hours, or your surgeon after hours. You will be provided with the number to ring.

Please take regular painkillers as advised by your surgeon. Some patients will also need to take antibiotics.

Avoid rinsing your mouth out immediately after your procedure. You can however lightly brush your teeth as normal.

Please eat soft food that is not too hot in the days after your procedure.

Undertake warm salt water mouth-rinses twice daily starting the following day. Mix one teaspoon of salt with a quarter of a cup of warm water. Bathe the surgical site for 30-60 seconds and then rinse out. A small amount of blood is not an issue. Please ensure you continue to brush your teeth at this time.

Often dissolvable stitches will have been used. These can take up to 3-4 weeks to fully disappear.

We will review you at 1-2 weeks following implant placement, and then a formal check of the implant healing at 2-3 months following placement. Before this time if you feel that the implant has become loose or is moving around, please make contact with OMS Specialists.

Jaw surgery usually involves 1-2 nights in hospital where you will be regularly monitored overnight by a nurse and your surgeon will be kept informed of your progress. Once ready for home, your surgeon will arrange your discharge medications and your follow up appointments. You will usually be seen at week 1, week 4, week 12, month 6 and then at 1 year.

Diet

You will be on a soft food diet for the first 6 weeks after your operation, guided by your surgeon. Calorie and protein supplements can be used if you would like. Adequate fluid intake is essential. Please discuss this with your surgeon if you have concerns.

Swelling

Swelling is common after all surgery. It tends to increase over the first 48 hours after your operation. We may give you a cooling mask to help reduce this. The majority of the swelling will have reduced by 10-14 days, but it may take several weeks to disappear completely.

Numbness

Numbness/altered sensation around your jaw area (lips, chin, tongue, cheeks, nose) is common and this will usually return to normal over a period of a few weeks to months. In some cases numbness/altered sensation can be permanent.

Blocked nose

If you have upper jaw surgery you will have a blocked nose and blood stained discharge from your nose or mouth for a few days. This is normal. Try not to blow your nose after upper jaw surgery, for two weeks. The blocked sensation will resolve slowly on it’s own.

Pain relief

You will receive a bespoke plan for pain relief, anti-inflammatory medication and antibiotics to take following surgery. These will be in soluble or liquid form.

Stiffness

Stiffness of the jaw is common. There will be some elastic bands between your upper and lower braces, but you will be able to open your mouth. You will not be ‘wired shut’. The stiffness will improve with time.

Dry lips

You will need to use Vaseline frequently to prevent your lips from becoming dry and cracked.

Regular Medications:

Please continue to take your regular medication as normal, unless you have been advised otherwise by OMS Specialists.

We are always happy to see you for a follow up appointment. However, for minor procedures, such as wisdom tooth surgery, we do not routinely book a follow up appointment.

If you feel that your symptoms are not improving and you are developing more pain, swelling and redness please call OMS Specialists and we will arrange to see you.