Our Summary

This study explored how oral surgery affects a person’s ability to drive, focusing on the time it takes for a driver to respond and apply the brakes (TBRT). Using a driving simulator, researchers measured TBRT before, immediately after, and 7-10 days after patients underwent oral surgery. They compared these results with a group of healthy individuals who hadn’t undergone surgery.

The findings showed that TBRT was significantly slower immediately after surgery. However, the TBRT of patients 7-10 days after surgery was similar to that of the healthy group, suggesting that their driving ability had returned to normal.

Based on these results, the researchers concluded that oral surgery could significantly affect a person’s ability to drive. As such, they suggest that patients should avoid driving immediately after undergoing oral surgery. This insight could be important for informing patients about the potential risks involved, and could also have legal and financial implications, such as insurance claims and court charges.

FAQs

  1. How does oral surgery affect a person’s ability to drive?
  2. How long after oral surgery should a patient avoid driving?
  3. Could the impact of oral surgery on driving ability have legal or financial implications?

Doctor’s Tip

Therefore, it is important for patients to arrange for someone to drive them home after their oral surgery and to avoid driving for a few days following the procedure to ensure their safety and the safety of others on the road. It is always best to follow your doctor’s recommendations and ask any questions you may have about driving restrictions after oral surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended oral surgery include those with impacted wisdom teeth, severe dental infections, jaw misalignment, facial trauma, oral cancer, or other oral health issues that cannot be treated with conservative methods. Additionally, patients who require dental implants, bone grafts, or other advanced dental procedures may also be recommended for oral surgery. It is important for patients to follow their dentist or oral surgeon’s recommendations and guidelines for post-operative care to ensure a smooth recovery and minimize any potential risks or complications.

Timeline

Before oral surgery:

  • Patient schedules an appointment with a dental surgeon
  • Patient undergoes a pre-operative evaluation to assess their health and any potential risks
  • Patient receives instructions on how to prepare for the surgery, such as fasting before the procedure
  • Patient undergoes the oral surgery under local or general anesthesia

After oral surgery:

  • Patient may experience pain, swelling, and bleeding at the surgical site
  • Patient is prescribed pain medication and antibiotics to prevent infection
  • Patient is instructed on how to care for the surgical site, such as avoiding certain foods and drinks and practicing good oral hygiene
  • Patient may need to take time off work or school to recover
  • Patient has a follow-up appointment with the dental surgeon to check on the healing process
  • Patient gradually resumes normal activities, including driving, as their healing progresses

Overall, the timeline of a patient’s experience before and after oral surgery involves preparation, the surgical procedure itself, post-operative care, and recovery. It is important for patients to follow their dental surgeon’s instructions closely to ensure a successful outcome.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about oral surgery include:

  1. How will the surgery affect my ability to drive?
  2. When will it be safe for me to drive again after the surgery?
  3. Are there any specific instructions or precautions I should follow regarding driving after the surgery?
  4. Are there any potential side effects or complications from the surgery that could impact my ability to drive?
  5. Should I arrange for someone to drive me home after the surgery?
  6. Are there any restrictions on driving while taking pain medication or during the recovery process?
  7. Will I need a follow-up appointment to assess my ability to drive safely after the surgery?
  8. Are there alternative transportation options I should consider during my recovery period?

Reference

Authors: Laimer J, Bruckmoser E, Leitner B, Göbel G, Neururer SB, Frech A, Schnabl D, Steiner R, Haid C, Moroder L, Liebensteiner M. Journal: Clin Oral Investig. 2020 Aug;24(8):2881-2887. doi: 10.1007/s00784-019-03152-z. Epub 2019 Nov 21. PMID: 31748983