Complications after tooth extraction and after surgery in the mouth

What are they and how do you recognize them?

Sometimes it is necessary to remove a tooth or perform another operation in the mouth, for example because there is not enough room in the mouth or a tooth is diseased.
Usually, these procedures go well, but it also happens that complications appear:

• bleeding from the tooth cavity:
  possibly persistent for several hours.
• pain and swelling:
  more pronounced the day after the procedure.
• blood effusion:
  buildup of fluid and blood in adjacent soft tissue, which may extend from the upper jaw to the eye sockets and from the lower jaw to the neck. But generally the blood effusion is not so extensive.
• inflammation of the tooth cavity:
  Normally, a blood clot protects the tooth cavity until it is completely healed, but sometimes the clot comes off too soon or dissolves. Food remains can then become embedded in the cavity and cause inflammation. The person usually has no pain 2 to 3 days after the tooth has been extracted. Due to the inflammation, she often has bad breath, and pain relievers do not completely make the pain go away.
• difficulty opening your mouth:
  because the nerve in the jaw is still numb after the procedure. These problems can sometimes last for several months.
• perforation to the upper jaw cavity (sinus):
  possibly due to manipulation of the upper jaw during the operation.
• sensory chin disorders:
  when a nerve has been affected during the sectioning of the gum tissue and the extraction of bone fragments.
• broken jaw:
  there is a risk of a jaw fracture when a large amount of bone tissue is removed, for example with the extraction of a lower wisdom tooth, and especially in older people who already have bone brittleness. If you feel something cracking in your jaw while eating hard food or after being hit, you may have a broken jaw.

What is their frequency?

Bleeding and effusion of blood, swelling and infections are the most common complications after an operation in the mouth. They must be followed.

Inflammation of the tooth cavity after tooth extraction occurs in about 1-10% of tooth extractions.

What can you do ?

Here is what you can do if you have the following complications:

• In case of slight bleeding, you can apply a cotton ball (to remove makeup) to the area of ​​the extraction and bite on it for 15 to 20 minutes. This precaution is sufficient to stop normal bleeding after tooth extraction. Consult a doctor (general practitioner) for heavy bleeding.
• To avoid puncturing to the upper jaw cavity, do not blow your nose too hard for 3-4 weeks after the operation.
• You can use ice packs if there is swelling or blood leakage.
• In case of pain, you can take conventional painkillers, such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatory drugs, as long as there are no contraindications.

In case of persistent pain, prolonged bleeding or if you have any doubts, you should contact the doctor or dentist promptly.

What can your doctor do?

Treatment depends on the type of complication and your general condition.

Usually, antibiotic treatment is started in case of infection.

In case of heavy bleeding, damage to nerves, perforation of the sinus in the upper jaw, fracture of the jaw or in other exceptional situations, reoperation may be necessary.

Sources

www.ebpnet.be