Infections

At Sacramento Surgical Arts PC, we take every necessary precaution to prevent cases of infection after oral surgery procedures. Most of these precautions are very simple, such as maintaining a sterile work environment.

Routine Steps

Like any dental office in the United States, we are required to wear proper surgical masks, gowns and gloves. These accoutrements are accompanied by disposable equipment such as dental pads, needles, scalpel blades and sheet paper. If a piece of equipment is not disposable, it is sterilized after being used.

Hand-washing is another routine but critical step taken to prevent infection. Our surgeons and staff wash their hands thoroughly when each day begins, followed by repeat washings before gloves are worn, after gloves are removed, and after potentially non-sterile surfaces are touched. 

Antibiotics

In oral surgery, antibiotics come in varying forms and serve slightly different purposes. In general, if your surgeon identifies any sign of active infection during your treatment, a therapeutic dose of antibiotics will be prescribed.

For some procedures, a single dose may be prescribed before surgery, while others may involve a larger dose of antibiotic therapy to prevent post-operative wound infection. Topical antiseptics (or antibiotics) are also routinely used, which work to prevent localized infection. Your surgeon can determine the appropriate program of antibiotic prophylaxis, if any is needed.

Antibiotics are not necessary for every single procedure in oral surgery; some operations have a very low level of infection risk, which may not warrant their use. In other procedures, antibiotics are routinely prescribed.