Pre-Operative Consultation:

Prior to oral surgery, we request that every patient be seen for a pre-surgical consultation as a seperate appointment, prior to scheduling an appointment for your procedure.

Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your consultation:

• Your surgical referral slip and any X-rays if applicable
• A list of medications you are presently taking
• If you have medical or dental insurance, bring the necessary completed forms. This will save time and allow us to help you process any claims.

IMPORTANT: All patients under the age of 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the consultation visit.

X-Rays

If your dentist or physician has taken x-rays, you may request that they forward them to our office. If there is not enough time, please pick them up and bring them to our office. If additional films are necessary, they can be taken at our facility.

The consultation visit enables us to:

Evaluate a patient's medical status. This frequently requires that we consult with the patient's physician. We often change the patient's medicine regime to accommodate for an extraction procedure.
Review your treatment request and prepare you for what to expect at the time of surgery and also what you should expect post-operatively.
Many times patients are unaware of the benefit of a pre-surgical consultation appointment. Frequently, we find that we are unable to perform surgery on the same day as the consultation appointment due to the medical condition of the patient, or the time needed to perform the procedure. Often, patients overlook or forget about specific conditions or current medications. Examples of conditions and medications that alter our treatment include:

• Insulin dependent diabetes
• Damaged or synthetic heart valves
• Long term steroid use
• Coumadin, Aspirin or other blood thinners
• Tri-cyclic antidepressants
• Resting angina pain
• Some acute infections
• Prosthetic joints
• Pacemakers
• MAO inhibitors
• Advanced aging
• Pregnancy
• Medicine allergies
• Biophosphate (i.e. Fosomax) used for bone conditions

By eliminating the unknowns from a patient's oral surgery experience, we diminish their apprehension and increase the predictability of a safe procedure and a successful outcome.