Our Summary

This research paper looked at videos about oral and maxillofacial surgery (surgery on the mouth, jaw, and face) on TikTok, a rapidly growing social media app. The researchers wanted to see if these videos were popular, if they were useful, and if there was a difference in quality between videos made by professionals and those made by non-professionals.

The researchers looked at videos posted over a 3-month period that mentioned “oral surgery” or “wisdom teeth”. They used a rating system called the Global Quality Scale (GQS) to evaluate the quality and usefulness of the videos.

They found that of the 558 videos they looked at, 426 met their criteria. Videos made by health professionals were of higher quality and more useful than those made by non-professionals. Even though most of the videos were made by non-professionals, the videos made by professionals were more popular.

Professionals and non-professionals got an average of 25,148 and 2,109 likes, respectively. In total, all the videos got nearly 4 million likes.

The researchers concluded that while professionals are using TikTok to educate patients, there’s still room for more educational content. The goal is to provide accurate information to patients.

FAQs

  1. What was the main goal of the research study on oral surgery videos on TikTok?
  2. What is the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and how was it used in the study?
  3. What were the main findings of the study regarding the quality and popularity of oral surgery videos on TikTok?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about oral surgery is to follow all pre-operative instructions provided by the surgeon, such as fasting before the procedure and avoiding certain medications. This will help ensure a successful surgery and smooth recovery process. Additionally, it’s important to communicate any concerns or questions with the surgeon before and after the surgery to address any issues or complications that may arise.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended oral surgery include those with impacted wisdom teeth, dental implants, jaw misalignment, facial trauma, cysts or tumors in the jaw, obstructive sleep apnea, and other oral and facial conditions that require surgical intervention. Oral surgery may also be recommended for patients who need corrective jaw surgery, treatment for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, or removal of lesions or growths in the mouth or jaw. Overall, oral surgery is recommended for patients who require specialized surgical treatment for a variety of oral and maxillofacial conditions.

Timeline

Before oral surgery:

  1. Patient consults with oral surgeon to discuss procedure and any concerns.
  2. Patient undergoes pre-operative assessments and tests to ensure they are fit for surgery.
  3. Patient receives instructions on how to prepare for surgery, such as fasting before the procedure.
  4. Patient may be prescribed medications to take before surgery to reduce pain and swelling.
  5. Patient arrives at the surgical facility on the day of surgery and goes through pre-operative procedures.

After oral surgery:

  1. Patient wakes up from anesthesia in the recovery room.
  2. Patient may experience pain, swelling, and discomfort in the days following surgery.
  3. Patient is given post-operative instructions on how to care for the surgical site and manage pain.
  4. Patient may need to follow a soft diet and avoid certain activities to aid in the healing process.
  5. Patient has follow-up appointments with the oral surgeon to monitor healing and address any concerns.
  6. Patient gradually resumes normal activities as they recover from surgery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What specific type of oral surgery do I need and why?

  2. What are the risks and potential complications associated with this oral surgery procedure?

  3. What is the expected recovery time and what can I do to help speed up my recovery?

  4. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider before proceeding with oral surgery?

  5. What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery and what are the potential side effects?

  6. How many times have you performed this particular oral surgery procedure and what is your success rate?

  7. What can I expect during the oral surgery procedure in terms of pain and discomfort?

  8. Will I need to follow any specific post-operative care instructions or take any medications after the surgery?

  9. What are the long-term effects of this oral surgery procedure and what can I do to maintain good oral health afterwards?

  10. Are there any specific dietary restrictions or lifestyle changes I should consider before and after the oral surgery procedure?

Reference

Authors: Firmalino MV, George S, Schlieve T. Journal: J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2023 Oct;81(10):1295-1300. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2023.07.138. Epub 2023 Jul 26. PMID: 37572692