What Is PRF, and Why Do Oral Surgeons Use It for Faster Healing?

Recovery is one of the biggest concerns patients have before oral surgery. Platelet-rich fibrin, often called PRF, is one way our oral surgeons at Hill Country Oral Surgery in Austin and Buda, TX, help support faster, more comfortable healing by leveraging the body’s natural repair process. For many patients, adding PRF to an oral surgery procedure can help reduce swelling, support soft tissue and bone healing, and make the recovery experience smoother.

What Is PRF Made Of?

PRF is made entirely from a patient’s own blood. Before or during the oral surgery appointment, a small blood sample is drawn from the arm, similar to a routine lab draw. That sample is then placed into a centrifuge, which spins the blood to separate it into different components. The result is a thick, golden fibrin material filled with platelets, white blood cells, and natural growth factors.

Because the process is quick and completed in the office, PRF does not require a separate appointment or complicated preparation. It is created while the patient is being prepared for surgery and then applied directly where it can most effectively support healing.

What Makes Platelet-Rich Fibrin the Most Advanced Oral Surgical Healing Option?

Platelet-rich fibrin is considered an advanced healing option because it concentrates the body’s own repair mechanisms and delivers them exactly where healing is needed. Instead of waiting for platelets and growth factors to naturally reach the surgical site, PRF provides the area with a stronger, more concentrated boost from the start.

PRF also differs from earlier platelet therapies, such as PRP, in that it does not require additives or anticoagulants.

Some of the key benefits of PRF include:

  • Faster tissue healing after oral surgery
  • Reduced swelling and post-operative discomfort
  • Lower risk of infection due to the presence of white blood cells
  • Improved bone regeneration after grafting or implant surgery
  • Lower risk of dry socket after tooth extraction
  • No synthetic additives, donor material, or risk of allergic reaction

For patients who are anxious about recovery, PRF can provide added reassurance that the surgical site has additional biological support during the most important early stages of healing.

How Is PRF Used in Dental Procedures?

PRF can be used in many common oral surgery procedures. The way it is applied depends on the treatment being performed and the type of healing support needed.

  • In tooth extractions, PRF may be placed directly into the empty socket to help protect the area, support healthy clot formation, and lower the risk of dry socket.
  • After wisdom teeth removal, PRF can be used at the extraction sites to reduce swelling and promote faster soft-tissue healing.
  • For dental implant surgery, PRF can be placed around the implant site to support osseointegration, the process by which the implant fuses with the jawbone. Healthy bone and gum tissue are essential for long-term implant success, so PRF can be especially useful for patients who want to support optimal healing after implant placement.
  • PRF is used during bone grafting to create a cohesive material sometimes referred to as “sticky bone.” This helps the graft stay in place more effectively and encourages the body to integrate the graft with the surrounding natural bone.
  • During sinus lift procedures, PRF membranes may also be used to protect delicate tissue and support bone regeneration in the grafted area.

What Do PRF Treatment Results Look Like?

PRF results are not visible in the same way cosmetic results are visible. Patients may not “see” PRF working, but they often notice the difference in how they heal. PRF is especially valuable because it works behind the scenes. It supports healing at the cellular level, encouraging the body to repair the surgical site naturally and efficiently.

Patients may experience less swelling, less tenderness, and a smoother healing timeline than expected. In procedures such as bone grafting and dental implant placement, the benefit is often more structural. PRF helps create a healthier environment for bone and soft-tissue repair, thereby supporting the next stage of the treatment plan.

How Does PRF Recovery Compare to Traditional Surgical Recovery?

Traditional oral surgery recovery depends solely on the body’s natural healing response. While the body is very capable of healing, PRF provides that process with extra support by delivering concentrated platelets, growth factors, and white blood cells directly to the area. This can help the surgical site stabilize more quickly and may reduce the intensity of early swelling or discomfort.

With PRF, recovery may involve:

  • Less inflammation around the surgical site
  • Faster soft tissue closure
  • Better support for bone healing
  • A lower chance of dry socket after extractions
  • A smoother transition into the next phase of care

Patients should still follow all post-operative instructions carefully. PRF supports healing, but it does not replace proper aftercare. Rest, hydration, avoiding smoking, eating soft foods as directed, and keeping follow-up appointments all remain important parts of recovery.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental PRF?

Most patients undergoing oral surgery can be good candidates for PRF because it is made from their own blood. It is especially helpful for patients having extractions, wisdom tooth removal, dental implant placement, bone grafting, or sinus lift surgery.

However, candidacy still depends on the patient’s health history. Patients with certain blood disorders, autoimmune conditions, or medications that affect healing may need additional evaluation before PRF is recommended. During the consultation, our oral surgeons review the patient’s medical history and treatment plan to determine whether PRF is appropriate.

What Are the First Steps to Schedule Platelet-Rich Fibrin Therapy in Austin, TX?

The first step is scheduling a consultation with our board-certified oral surgeons in Austin or Buda. The consultation is also the right time to discuss recovery expectations, costs, and any health factors that may affect healing. Patients in Austin, TX, who want to learn whether platelet-rich fibrin therapy is right for their upcoming procedure can contact our office to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward a smoother recovery.


How to Get Rid of a Gummy Smile

Everyone should feel comfortable sharing their smile, but when too much gum tissue shows above the teeth, the smile can look smaller or less proportionate. Aesthetic crown lengthening is one of the most effective ways to improve a gummy smile caused by excess gum tissue. At Hill Country Oral Surgery, Dr. Vincent Cavaretta and Dr. Tyler Rasmussen use advanced oral surgery techniques to carefully reshape the gumline and reveal more of the natural tooth structure. The result is a smile that looks more open, balanced, and proportional while still preserving the health of the teeth and gums.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile can happen for several reasons. For some patients, the teeth are a normal size, but excess gum tissue covers too much of the visible tooth surface. For others, the way the upper lip moves when smiling can reveal more gum tissue than expected. In some cases, jaw growth patterns, tooth eruption patterns, or a combination of factors may contribute to the appearance.

Common causes of a gummy smile include:

  • Excess gum tissue covering the teeth
  • Teeth that appear short because they did not fully erupt through the gums
  • An upper lip that rises high when smiling
  • A longer upper jaw or vertical facial growth pattern
  • Uneven gum contours that make the smile look asymmetrical
  • Certain medications or gum conditions that cause tissue overgrowth

The right treatment depends on the cause. Aesthetic crown lengthening is most appropriate when the main concern is excess gum tissue or uneven gum position around the teeth. During an evaluation, the oral surgery team can determine whether crown lengthening is the best option or whether another dental or orthodontic approach may be needed.

How Does Aesthetic Crown Lengthening Address a Gummy Smile?

Aesthetic crown lengthening improves a gummy smile by removing or reshaping excess gum tissue to expose more of the natural tooth. This is done to highlight the tooth structure already present and to create a more proportionate relationship between the teeth and gums. By carefully adjusting the gumline, Dr. Cavaretta or Dr. Rasmussen can make the teeth look longer, more even, and better framed. The procedure can be performed on one tooth, several teeth, or across the visible smile line depending on the patient’s needs.

This treatment can also help when the gumline looks uneven. Even small differences in gum height can make the smile appear asymmetrical. Crown lengthening allows the gumline to be shaped precisely so the upper teeth appear more uniform.

What Happens During Aesthetic Crown Lengthening Procedure?

On the day of the procedure, the area is numbed for comfort. Once the area is comfortable, the oral surgeon carefully removes or repositions small amounts of gum tissue. In some cases, a small amount of bone around the tooth may also be reshaped to allow the gumline to heal in a stable, natural-looking position.

After the gumline is contoured, the area is cleaned and sutures may be placed. The procedure is typically completed in one visit, though the exact time depends on how many teeth are being treated. Patients receive detailed instructions for caring for the area at home, including how to clean gently, what foods to eat, and how to protect the gums while they heal.

What Do Crown Lengthening Results Look Like?

Crown lengthening results are designed to look balanced rather than exaggerated. The teeth should appear more visible, the gums should look less dominant, and the smile should feel more proportional overall. For many patients, the change is immediately noticeable, although the gum tissue continues to settle as swelling improves.

Final results take time because the gums need to heal and stabilize. Early swelling may make the tissue look slightly uneven at first, but this usually improves as the area settles. Once healing is complete, the new gumline should frame the teeth more naturally and make the smile look more balanced in everyday expressions.

Can a Gummy Smile Come Back After Treatment?

In many cases, aesthetic crown lengthening creates a long-lasting improvement. Once excess gum tissue is removed and the gumline heals into its new position, the treated area usually remains stable. However, the long-term result depends on the original cause of the gummy smile and how well the patient maintains oral health after treatment.

If the gummy smile was caused mainly by excess gum tissue covering the teeth, the results are typically durable. If the concern is related to upper lip movement or jaw structure, crown lengthening may improve the appearance but may not address every contributing factor. Gum tissue can also change if inflammation, poor oral hygiene, gum disease, or certain medications cause tissue overgrowth.

What Are Ways to Protect Aesthetic Crown Lengthening Results?

After crown lengthening, the priority is to keep the gum tissue healthy and allow it to heal into the most stable position possible. The first few weeks are especially important, but long-term care also plays a major role.

Helpful ways to protect results include:

  • Following all post-operative instructions from the oral surgery team
  • Eating soft foods during the early healing period
  • Avoiding brushing directly over the treated area until cleared
  • Keeping the mouth clean with gentle rinsing as instructed
  • Avoiding smoking or nicotine, which can slow healing
  • Attending follow-up visits to monitor gum healing
  • Maintaining routine dental cleanings after recovery

Good oral hygiene is one of the most important ways to protect the final appearance. Healthy gums are less likely to become inflamed, swollen, or uneven. Patients should continue brushing and flossing as directed once the area has healed and should stay consistent with regular dental visits.

What Are the First Steps to Schedule Aesthetic Crown Lengthening in Austin, TX?

The first step is scheduling a consultation at Hill Country Oral Surgery in Austin, TX. For patients in Austin who want a more balanced smile and less visible gum tissue, aesthetic crown lengthening may be the right solution. Contact Hill Country Oral Surgery to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a smile that feels more confident, natural, and proportionate.


Foods To Include in Your Recovery Following Oral Surgery

Patients prepared for oral surgery typically experience a quick and successful recovery. Your dietary needs following oral surgery depend on your overall health, the surgery, oral function impact, and the expected healing period. A liquid or soft food diet is typically required for a few days following your oral surgery. Hill County Oral Surgery recommends choosing nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, protein, and dairy. These food types provide the necessary nutrients and vitamins required for optimal healing.

The pain, swelling, and bleeding after oral surgery will limit your food intake because of difficulty chewing and swallowing. During your recovery, you should only choose soft foods to include in your diet. These soft foods are easy to prepare by mashing, moistening, pureeing, or grounding, giving your body the essential nutrients it needs to heal.

Here at Hill Country Oral Surgery, we recommend that you stick to the following foods that will have you back to normal in no time.

Soft Foods to Eat After Oral Surgery

Your surgeon may suggest a soft food diet following the below procedures:

These procedures frequently require patients to limit food intake to soft foods and don’t bite or chew with the treated dental area for a period. In addition, the American Association of Endodontists recommends patients avoid biting or chewing after a root canal, allowing the tooth to heal and a crown is in place.

The best place to begin your recovery food intake is with liquids.

Start with Liquids

Oral swelling after surgery may prevent you from chewing solid and semi-solid foods. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommends daily drinking 48-64 oz of liquids. These liquids should not include caffeine beverages like coffee, soda, and tea.

Flavored gelatins and juices extracted from fruits and vegetables are appropriate. Other suitable liquids include yogurt, milk, smoothies, shakes, tapioca, and protein drinks. Avoid alcohol and cold water, and don’t use a straw as it may increase your discomfort.

Soups

Soups made from vegetables and meats are easy to prepare. They will give your body the necessary nutrients to remain healthy and recover. We recommend soups like tomato, pumpkin, chicken noodles, and celery. Avoid soups with large, hard vegetables that require chewing and may be difficult to swallow.

Next, you can move to grains and bread, then fruits and vegetables and Protein-based foods.

Grains and Bread

Soft bread and grains, including white bread, wheat bread, flatbread, and flour tortilla, are excellent after surgery. In addition, grains like oatmeal, cream of wheat, rice, pasta noodles, and saltines are also suitable foods.

Other choices include polenta, congee, nut butter, ramen noodles, soft pastry pies, risotto, peas, mashed beans, waffles, and semolina dishes.

Fruits and Vegetables

Well-cooked vegetables and canned fruits are excellent foods after surgery. Also, soft fruits and vegetables that are easy to chew and swallow, like bananas, avocados, mashed potatoes, and cooked spinach, give ample dietary vitamins and nutrients.

Other suggestions include boiled sweet potatoes (or mashed), baked apples or applesauce, beets, canned carrots, and au gratin potatoes.

Protein-Based Foods

Your body will need plenty of protein to heal. We recommend soft protein-based foods after oral surgery because they will cause less stress on the teeth, jaw, and throat.

These include broiled, stewed, baked, or chopped lean beef, tuna, tofu, salmon, and chicken. Other acceptable protein-based foods include scrambled eggs, meatloaf, fish, pulled pork, and liver.

Dairy

Many dairy foods are easy to consume after oral surgery. These include custard, yogurt, plain ice cream,  cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, milkshakes, mild cheese, cream cheese, and milk.

Other Considerations

The food and beverage temperature, hot or cold, is also vital to consider. For example, consuming hot drinks while healing from tooth extraction can irritate gum tissue and complicate recovery. Instead, focus on foods that are warm, not piping hot. In addition, stick to colder foods, like yogurt, until your surgeon allows you to expand your dietary options.

It is crucial to avoid the following foods for the first week after surgery to avoid discomfort and delayed healing:

  • Citrus juices
  • Spicy foods
  • Foods like deli meats and steak that are difficult to chew
  • Crusty breads, bagels, cookies
  • Crunchy foods like pretzels, popcorn, and potato chips
  • Alcoholic beverages

On the day of your surgery, we recommend starting with clear fluids (broth, tea, juices, and Jell-O). Then, as the healing processes, gradually introduce more substantial foods.

Next Steps

Hill Country Oral Surgery provides some of Austin, TX’s best oral surgery procedures and patient care. If you are considering oral surgery in Austin, TX, and would like more information, we invite you to contact us today for a consultation!


What You Need to Know About Oral Surgery if You Have Diabetes

You probably have heard about diabetes before. Maybe you or any member of your family are one of the 34.2 million Americans that suffer from this chronic disease. If so, you’d know how diabetes can alter lifestyles and interfere with common medical treatments and procedures.

When it comes to dental treatment, the good news is that nearly all diabetic patients can undergo most dental procedures. However, there are some extra precautions they need to take to ensure their health is not at risk – especially when undergoing treatments that involve blood loss like oral surgeries and teeth extractions.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that alters a person’s blood sugar level. This alteration is a consequence of a problem with insulin, the enzyme that regulates sugar levels. In diabetic patients, this enzyme is not produced in the right quantity, or the body simply develops a tolerance to its action. As a consequence, uncontrolled diabetic patients have too much sugar in the bloodstream, which can bring multiple health complications.

It is of utmost importance for diabetic patients to pay close attention to their diet and be diligent with insulin shots or medications. When this systemic condition is not properly controlled, it can have significant repercussions on the patient’s overall health, and oral health is no exception.

Diabetes and Oral Health

Of all the consequences that diabetes has on the human body, three of them directly affect oral health:

  • Weakens defense cells: the white blood cells are in charge of defending our body from diverse infections. When this defense system is not functioning properly, our body is more vulnerable to the attack of bacteria and viruses. This makes diabetic patients more susceptible to developing conditions like gums disease and periodontitis.
  • Affects blood circulation: diabetes also affects blood circulation in small blood vessels, which can complicate the normal healing process of wounds in soft tissues.
  • Causes dry mouth: this condition also decreases saliva flow. Saliva has many important functions in the oral cavity, and a dry mouth can lead to soreness, ulcers, infections, and tooth decay.

How Does Diabetes Affect the Surgery Outcome?

Oral surgery leaves a wound that the body usually heals a few days after surgery. As mentioned before, blood circulation is affected by high sugar blood levels, so this healing process is slowed down in diabetic patients. As a result, the wound is open for a longer period of time, and if we combine this open wound with the weakened defense system, the result is a patient at a higher risk of developing infections that can complicate both oral and overall health.

Steps to Follow Before a Dental Surgery

Patients with controlled sugar levels can undergo a dental extraction with no inconvenience. However, our oral surgeon needs to be certain you are within the normal parameters, which are 180 mg/dl before a meal and 234 mg/dl 2 hours after a meal. We usually advise our patients to make sure they don’t skip their medications two weeks before surgery, and we can ask them to have a quick blood sugar test before the procedure.

For some extensive surgical procedures, we might also ask diabetic patients to take antibiotics before surgery day.

Oral Surgery in Austin, TX

Our oral surgeons are trained to treat patients with any type of medical condition. If you have diabetes and need oral surgery, please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists!


Why Do you Have to Avoid Straws After Oral Surgery?

One of the first post-operative instructions you receive after a tooth extraction is to avoid drinking through straws for at least 24 hours. You might have heard this indication if you or any family member ever had a tooth removed, but do you know why it is so important?

This blog explains in detail how your body reacts to teeth extractions and why following this (and any other) post-op instruction is critical.

For more information on teeth extraction or to schedule a consultation with one of our expert oral surgeons in Austin and Buda, TX, fill out our online form. While you’re here take a look at our before and after transformations in our gallery.

What Happens After a Tooth Extraction?

The physiological response to a tooth extraction might vary according to the characteristics of the surgical procedure, as some surgeries are more invasive than others. However, the healing process is very similar in all cases. After all, dental surgery leaves a wound, so the body will react as in any other traumatic event.

As soon as the surgeon pulls out the tooth, the empty socket is filled with blood. After a few minutes, the blood tends to get thicker and eventually forms a blood clot. This blood clot is vital to the healing process, but, unfortunately, it can easily get dislodged from the empty tooth socket. In most cases, oral surgeons opt to give stitches to the wound to prevent this inconvenience, but patient cooperation is still crucial to avoid post-operative complications.

Why Can’t I Use a Straw After Surgery?

Well, drinking through a straw creates suction, which can easily dislodge this blood clot. As mentioned before, this clot is vital as it has two primary purposes:

Stop uncontrolled bleeding: this clot stops the bleeding that is inevitably caused by oral surgery. If it gets dislodged, the socket will start bleeding once again, and you might need to visit the emergency room if it doesn’t stop on its own. Uncontrolled bleeding can be dangerous, so please do not hesitate to contact our office or visit the ER if this happens!

Avoid dry sockets: the blood clot also protects the remaining bone tissue from getting infected by bacteria. This infection, known as dry socket or alveolar osteitis, is extremely painful and requires urgent dental attention. If you start feeling pain after an extraction, visit the office as soon as possible – dry sockets can take a couple of weeks to resolve on their own without medication or dental treatment.

Other Post-Operative Recommendations

Besides avoiding straws, there are other instructions that you should follow after oral surgery to prevent further inconveniences:

  • Bite on a gauze pad for 45 minutes after the appointment. Replace it whenever it gets soaked.
  • Avoid rinsing or spitting for 24 hours after surgery.
  • Be extra careful when brushing near the area.
  • Take medication as prescribed by the oral surgeon.
  • Keep your fingers and tongue away from the surgical area.
  • Apply ice packs on the surgical area (on the side of the cheek) for the first 48 hours to prevent severe swallowing (20 minutes on and 10 minutes off).
  • Do not smoke for at least 48 hours after surgery.
  • Choose soft and preferably cold or warm foods. Ice cream is a perfect choice!
  • Avoid lifting heavy weights and do not exercise for at least three to four days after surgery.

Oral Surgery in Austin, TX.

If you have further questions regarding this or any other post-op instruction, you can schedule a consultation with one of our oral surgeons at Hill Country Oral Surgery. Our team is always ready to help!


Should You Get Oral Surgery If You are On a Blood Thinner?

The term “blood thinner” may ring a bell for those patients with heart conditions. It is a common medication that prevents multiple heart problems and is vital to millions of Americans these days.

This type of medication helps countless patients, but some things need to be considered when taking blood thinners. Patients need to be careful with certain procedures, and oral surgeries are undoubtedly one of them.

Read this blog to find out what patients on blood thinners need to know about oral surgery!

What are Blood Thinners?

Well, most patients on this type of medication know what they are and why they need to take them. However, not many people are acquainted with how these drugs work. Although there are different types of blood thinners (anticoagulants like warfarin and heparin and antiplatelets like aspirin), they all have the same target: blood clots.

Blood thinners prevent blood clots from forming, or at least they slow down this process. As a result, they help blood circulation, so they are typically indicated to avoid heart problems like heart attacks, strokes, and blockages. They are essential for some people, but the issue is that sometimes, our bodies need those clots. Blood clots are meant to stop blood loss, so these patients must be extremely careful with bleeding injuries and wounds (and surgical procedures, of course).

Can I Undergo Dental Procedures If I Am Taking Blood Thinning Medication?

Patients on blood thinners can undergo any dental procedure that doesn’t cause blood loss. They can come to the dental office for fillings, teeth whitening treatments, veneers, dental crowns, and many other treatments with no inconvenience. However, with oral surgery, they need to take some precautions. This doesn’t imply that you cannot have dental implants placed or teeth removed if you are taking this medication – you just need to follow a few additional steps before the oral surgery.

How Should I Proceed if I Need a Teeth Extraction or Dental Implants?

Oral surgery causes inevitable bleeding. It doesn’t represent a risk for most patients – the human body is prepared to stop blood loss through a physiological process that involves clots. Unfortunately, if you are taking blood thinners, this process is deliberately interrupted so your body cannot stop the bleeding caused by surgery on its own. For this purpose, you will need to stop or adjust medication for a few days before undergoing a surgical procedure.

However, this also represents a risk as patients take this medication for a good reason. That’s why it is always convenient to visit your cardiologist after you consult with the oral surgeon. Although our surgeons know how to deal with this situation and follow a strict protocol with patients on blood thinners, it is always advisable to visit the doctor that has prescribed the medication. Your doctor is the one who knows your case the best, and they might suggest specific measures for your particular situation.

The steps to follow before oral surgery can vary from patient to patient. The doctor usually stops the medication 5 to 7 days before the surgery. But if you are at high risk of suffering a heart problem, they might choose to reduce the dose or change it for another drug to minimize the risks.

Highly-Trained Oral Surgeons in Austin, TX

Our team of experts at Hill Country Oral Surgery is ready to deal with any personal situation. If you or your family are taking any medications and you still have some doubts, please schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons. We will be happy to assist you and answer all your questions!


Types of Facial Injuries Your Oral Surgeon Can Help Correct

Oral surgery is more than tooth extractions, implant surgery, and resolving impacted teeth. It also deals with facial trauma potentially affecting your ability to speak, eat, see, or breathe. Restoring these critical functions requires an exceptionally trained oral and maxillofacial surgeon to correct the aftermath of facial trauma. Here are common facial injuries your surgeons at Hill Country Oral Surgery can help rectify.

Jaw Fractures

Sports activities, auto accidents, and falls often lead to fractures in the lower jaw (mandible), the upper jaw (maxilla), or both. In most incidents, loosened, damaged, or knocked-out teeth accompany jaw fractures.

Hill Country Oral Surgery performs facial trauma surgery to stabilize the jaw and restore correct alignment. And since our surgeons specialize in replacing missing teeth and treating injured tooth sites, they are most qualified to address jaw-related injuries.

Cheekbone Fractures

Cheekbone fractures can result from violence, falling, sports injuries, or being in a car accident. Also called zygomatic bone injuries, these fractures might be easy to overlook. Usually, they don’t initially link with functional problems.

However, if not recognized and treated soon after trauma by an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the facial injury can cause cosmetic and functional problems. With severe cheekbone injuries, oral surgery may be necessary to restore the bone to its original position and shape.

Nasal Fractures

The nose is a prominent facial feature and a frequent site of injury. Blunt-force trauma is usually the culprit. In fact, any solid blow on the face – whether from violence, a fall, an accident, or a sports activity – can result in a broken nose.

Oral surgery is not always the ideal solution for nasal fractures. However, if the nose is visibly crooked or you are having trouble breathing, oral and maxillofacial surgical intervention may be necessary.

Orbital Fractures

Violent blows to the face often fracture the eye socket. Sports activities and auto accidents are common causes.

Most orbital fractures affect the eye socket’s lower portion, where the bone is thinner. As with nasal injuries, oral surgery isn’t always necessary for eye injuries. But if there is eyeball displacement from the natural position or double vision, the patient will likely need surgical treatment.

Hill Country Oral Surgery surgeons have extensive training, certification, and experience at treating all types of facial fractures and injuries. We serve the greater Austin area with a full range of oral and maxillofacial services, including wisdom teeth extractions, dental implants, impacted canines, and pre-prosthetic surgery.

If you would like more information about facial trauma requiring oral surgery, call our Austin office at (512) 327-7233 to request a consultation.


Easy-to-Eat Meals After Oral Surgery

Although oral surgery can be a daunting experience, many patients find recovery just as tricky if they don’t know what foods to eat. You must stay away from foods that not only can affect the results, but also damage your teeth and gums.

For most oral surgeries — such as tooth extraction and wisdom teeth removal — you should be able to start reintroducing fibrous and crunchy foods back into your diet after one week. However, for procedures like removal of impacted teeth, you may have to eat soft and liquid foods for up to six weeks.  So, what foods should you be ready to prepare after your oral surgery? Here are a few we suggest, and some we say, “stay away.”

Foods We Suggest

Remember, your mouth will be sensitive and sore after oral surgery. Food like bread, although soft, is difficult to chew. You should pick foods that don’t require vigorous chewing or those that can become a choking hazard. These include the following.

Soups

Since broths and soups are creamy and smooth, you can consume them without irritating the areas of your dental work. These foods are full of vitamins, minerals, and more, so they provide your body with all the daily nutrients it needs throughout the day. They’re also full of water, which will keep your body hydrated as well.

Smoothies

A smoothie is a meal in itself. These provide excellent health benefits, but require no chewing. Smoothies may contain vegetables, fruits, protein powder, or yogurt, all healthy to aid your recovery.

Scrambled Eggs

Eggs are a good source of protein for any meal, and they’re easy to chew and swallow. Plus, once you can chew again, you can start preparing them differently, like hard-boiled or fried.

Mashed Potatoes

This source of starch and carbs is also soft and easy to swallow. It can give your body a boost of energy to help get you through the day. This food is excellent for eating right after surgery.

Salmon

If you have a lot of swelling and inflammation, try eating small pieces of salmon. This meal has a lot of omega-3s and other healthy fats that encourage healing and reduce inflammation.

Cheese

Probiotic-rich cheese can help speed the healing process. However, you need to shred it into thin pieces before eating.

Avocado

This power food is chock-full of vitamins, potassium, and heart-healthy fats. You can add it to smoothies or other foods if you don’t like the taste.

Foods to Avoid

Now that you know what foods are suitable to eat after oral surgery, here are some to steer clear of:

  • Meats
  • Raw fruits and vegetables
  • Anything spicy
  • Bread
  • Candy
  • Nuts
  • Crackers

Don’t eat anything chewy, hard, sticky, or crunchy until your oral surgeon gives you permission to. These foods will slow the healing process and may cause severe discomfort.

If you need more information about what foods to eat after oral surgery or are concerned with your overall dental health, contact us today and schedule a checkup!


Can Jaw Surgery Relieve Difficulty Chewing and Biting?

Jaw surgery changes lives, improves bites, and beautifies smiles. Corrective jaw surgeries are a specialty of our oral surgeons here at Hill Country Oral Surgery in Austin, TX. Learn more about jaw surgery. Find out if you’re a candidate. Finally, call us at 512-327-7233 to schedule a consultation with one of our oral surgeons.

What Can Jaw Surgery Do for Me?

Jaw surgery is a versatile procedure that can correct a host of major and minor dental problems. In some cases, it is used for cosmetic changes, but generally, the primary goal of jaw surgery is to correct functional problems of the jaw and teeth.

What can jaw surgery do for you? This procedure treats many common dental problems including:

  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Misaligned teeth
  • Gummy smiles
  • Jaw pain
  • Headaches
  • Facial injuries and trauma
  • Chronic mouth breathing
  • Gaps between the teeth or lips when the mouth is closed
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Unbalanced facial appearance
  • Weak or receding jaw/chin
  • Sleep apnea
  • Excessive wear of the teeth

If you have any of the conditions on this list, come in for a consultation with one of our surgeons. Jaw surgery may not be the right fit for you, but when it is, it can dramatically improve symptoms, often completely resolving medical or dental complaints.

Jaw Surgery to Improve Chewing or Biting

Jaw surgery is often used to correct alignment issues between the upper and lower teeth. When the teeth and jaws don’t meet properly, biting and chewing difficulties can arise. Moving the jaws so the teeth meet up can improve jaw function. It can also make it easier to eat and chew. In addition to functional benefits, many patients notice an improvement in their smile’s appearance after jaw surgery.

Orthodontics and Jaw Surgery- Which Option Do I Need?

Orthodontics, like braces or invisible aligners, are often used to move the teeth. This can correct some bite and alignment issues but not all of them. If the jaw bones aren’t in alignment, getting the teeth into alignment can be difficult or impossible. We’ll work closely with your orthodontist to create a surgical plan that complements your orthodontic goals. Jaw surgery complements orthodontics for many of our patients.

Addressing only teeth alignment and neglecting jaw positioning and function can lead to long-term dental problems later. Uneven jaws can cause orthodontic shifting, poor facial aesthetics, periodontal issues, and joint pain if they aren’t properly treated and addressed. Jaw surgery creates a strong foundation for future dental work.

Preparing for Jaw Surgery

If you need jaw surgery, call our Austin, TX oral surgery practice to schedule a consultation. We provide a complete and comprehensive consultation using both models and x-rays. We use 3D models and computerized techniques to show patients alignment issues and to illustrate the positive impact that jaw surgery will have. You’ll see how your bite will improve and how your appearance will change.

We’ll work closely with your other dental providers, including your general dentist and your orthodontist. Jaw surgery is a delicate procedure and requires a collaborative approach for the best results.

 


Do You Need a Bone Graft?

Have you been missing one or more teeth for a long time? Are you considering dental implants?  If so, then you should be considering a bone graft.

Schedule a consultation today to find out how a bone graft could benefit you. Finding out if you need a bone graft is a painless procedure but you will need to be examined by an oral surgeon.