Many factors determine the success of a dental procedure. After leaving the office, the patient should not forget about the need to follow the doctor’s instructions and proper oral hygiene. Bothering questions are answered by Dr. Marcin Krywult, MD, a specialist in dental prosthetics, implantologist from the BoaDent Dental Clinic in Katowice.
What determines the success of a dental procedure?
Marcin Krywult, MD, PhD: It seems to me that success depends primarily on planning this procedure. This, for every dentist, is the basis of treatment. It is worth remembering, however, that you should always be prepared to improvise in unusual situations, however, treatments that achieve the desired effect must usually be preceded by a good plan. Not only the doctor must prepare for it, but also the patient.
What should patients remember after leaving the treatment room?
Marcin Krywult, MD, PhD: It depends on the type of procedure we are dealing with. In general, I am against leaving patients on their own. Unfortunately, sometimes they have ideas that run counter to what post-operative hygiene should be like. In the case of surgical procedures, I always provide my patients with written instructions on what to do after the procedure. These are general, standard home guidelines, including good hygiene, avoiding irritation around sutures, what is allowed and not recommended for food, etc.
In some cases, however, more detailed guidelines are needed, e.g. for the first XNUMX hours, the patient must use an antiseptic mouthwash instead of brushing their teeth, from the second day they may return to normal hygiene without brushing the area where there are sutures, etc. It is very important. immediate reporting of any problems to the doctor. In the past, I had in practice arranging my patients for a check-up the day after surgery, but it was quite a nuisance for them. However, they can always report their concerns by phone and, if necessary, come to me for a control visit.
The key is to sensitize the patient to what should arouse his concern and what is perfectly normal after the procedure.
Why is it so important to use a mouthwash after major dental procedures, especially surgery?
Marcin Krywult, MD, PhD: The mouthwash is used immediately after the procedure, on the same day. I routinely perform most treatments under an antibiotic cover, but I realize that some researchers say there is not much difference in healing then. Because there is no.
However, on the other hand, when we look at the statistics of early periprocedural complications, apart from technical issues related strictly to the procedure, the most common early complications are infectious complications. Therefore, it is better not to accumulate risk factors. Antibiotic cover plus antiseptic rinse are there to reduce the risk of such postoperative complications.
After what type of dental procedures is it recommended to take special care of the condition of the teeth and gums?
Marcin Krywult, MD, PhD: After each surgical procedure. In addition, all procedures performed on the periodontium, starting from the simplest ones, including stone removal or deep scaling, require the patient to maintain proper hygiene. There, we often deal with bleeding, so care is especially recommended in these cases. However, this is a very individual matter. We often recommend rinsing the mouth once or twice, while for larger interventions, we recommend using the mouthwash until the stitches are removed. Most often it is the 7th day after surgery.
What are the complications of non-compliance with proper postoperative hygiene?
Marcin Krywult, MD, PhD: If the patient follows the doctor’s recommendations, nothing should happen. With minor surgeries, the postoperative complications are not spectacular. However, in the case of, for example, extensive bone regeneration or raising the bottom of the maxillary sinus, the consequences of neglecting oral hygiene may be more serious. It may appear, among others infection and complications as a result. The patient remembers such a lesson for many years. It is both pain, time and money wasted. It is also a challenge for the dentist.
Three things you need to keep in mind after a dental procedure
- Always follow the dentist’s instructions. This will allow you to avoid serious periprocedural complications.
- Use mouth rinses enriched with antibacterial substances. Products with chlorhexidine and chlorobutanol are recommended, eg Eludril CLASSIC.
- In case of undesirable effects, please inform your doctor immediately.
What should be in a high-quality mouthwash? How to make the right choice?
Marcin Krywult, MD, PhD: These types of fluids are used postoperatively for a specified short period of time. It is not a product for daily oral hygiene. It is best when the patient relies on the recommendation of his doctor and does not look for different solutions on his own. The composition of an effective rinse aid should include an antimicrobial agent, which must be selected so as to minimize the risk of side effects, and a soothing agent that will endure discomfort in the first days after the procedure.
I am opposed to leaving the decision to the patient, because it may turn out that he has bought a specific product because there was a big promotion for him, and not guided by the selection of a product with appropriate properties. In my office, the patient receives a rinse immediately after the procedure to avoid the discomfort of making a purchase right after undergoing treatment, when swelling may appear and the anesthesia stops working.
One of the most frequently recommended ingredients is chlorhexidine in combination with chlorobutanol, eg Eludril CLASSIC. It has a proven composition and a wide spectrum of activity. I have been using it for years and I have never been disappointed.
Is the rinse fluid alone enough to avoid the risk of bacterial infections and difficult healing of postoperative wounds? How long to use it?
Marcin Krywult, MD, PhD: Antiseptics, antibiotics and post-treatment instructions are part of the overall plan. However, it is important to be systematic in this. This applies to everything from skincare to the need for follow-up visits. A good doctor should lead the patient by the hand a little, e.g. reminding him of the control via SMS. The patient, left to himself, simply forgets. It is related to the prose of life and the excess of other duties. A visit to the dentist too late is most often associated with aggravating treatment, both biologically and financially.
Antibacterial rinse fluid is used twice a day for 7-14 days until the sutures are removed after surgery. Products with the addition of chlorhexidine should not be used chronically. The exception are patients with implants who should use toothpastes with the addition of this substance on a daily basis. These are the US standards for the prevention of peri-implant inflammation. The conducted research shows that of all methods of their treatment, the only thing that works is prophylaxis.