Question

A patient is scheduled to have multiple extractions and an alveoplasty for the preparation of a denture. What may be the patient's concerns about the procedure? How can you allevi-ate these concerns?

Answer 1

Alveoplasty: Surgical repair of alveolar bone for the purpose of reshaping and smoothening the jawbone to allow dentures to fit well. alveolar bone is a ridge on the surface of a teeth -bearing bone such as maxilla and mandible in humans that contain teeth sockets. Alveoplasty is dental procedure performed before a prosthetic procedure.

Patient's concern about multiple extractions and alveoplasty: Patients, who undergo multiple tooth extractions and alveoplasty may have various concerns such as

* Post surgical risks: Patient may have concern about post post surgical effects like inflammation, pain , bleeding , bruising and infection etc.

This concern can be relieved by adequate patient education . Assure the patient some pain and swelling may experience by most of the patient , and it subside with time. Analgesics and Anti-inflammatory drugs can treat the pain and swelling.

Assure the patient that Antibiotics administration , antibacterial rinse ( as per physician's order) can prevent infections on the site.

* Another concern of patient may be on pain associated with the procedure.

Assure the patient that either local or general Anaesthesia will use by the physician, it may reduce tne pain associated with the procedure.

* Concern about healing time or risk of delayed wound healing due to certain medications.

Usually it takes a 4-6 week to heal the angioplasty site . If any medications of the patient( drugs for Osteoporosis or cancer )that may interfer healing can be stopped before some days with Doctor's advice .

* He may have concern regarding the intake of food.

Educate the patient regarding the after care. Instruct him that first 24 hrs , he should not take hot or , acidic liquid or food. Avoid chewing by the area for 7 days.

* He may have concern over the change of his facial shape .

Assure him that for one month he is in healing stage , he may experience some changes in his facial shape. But once the Dentures are in , his shape again become normal.