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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffMake an appointment with your dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible when you develop new or worsening pain after a tooth extraction. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor or oral surgeon.
What you can do
Consider preparing a list of questions to ask your dentist or oral surgeon. Some questions you may want to discuss include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
- What kinds of tests, if any, do I need?
- What is the best course of action?
- What are the alternatives to the approach you're suggesting?
- Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
- Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover seeing a specialist?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me?
- What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment at any time if you don't understand something.
What to expect from your dentist or oral surgeon
Your dentist or oral surgeon is likely to ask you questions about your symptoms. He or she may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to worsen your symptoms?
- Adeyemo WL, et al. Clinical evaluation of post-extraction wound site healing. Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. 2006;7(3):40-49.
- Roberts JR, et al. Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2004.
- Neville BW, et al. Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:150-153.
- Hita-Iglesias P, et al. Effectiveness of chlorhexidine gel versus chlorhexidine rinse in reducing alveolar osteitis in mandibular third molar surgery. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2008;66:441-445.
- Noroozi A, et al. Modern concepts in understanding and management of the "drysocket" syndrome: Comprehensive review of the literature. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology & Endodontics. In press. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
