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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery The Department of oral and maxillofacial surgery focuses on the treatment of abnormalities of the mouth, jaw, and face. Department

The Department of oral and maxillofacial surgery focuses on the treatment of abnormalities of the mouth, jaw, and face.

Our scientific research focuses on abnormalities in the head and neck area. Much of our research has a patient-related character, a large part of the patient-related research has a clinical efficiency character.

In research we aim to

1. optimize the diagnosis of abnormalities in the head and neck area,
2. develop methods that limit the chance of these abnormalities developing, or undesirable consequences and morbidity of their treatment, 
3. evaluate the “outcome” of (new) treatment modalities for these abnormalities.

Areas

In many areas, our research program fits perfectly within the research centers / institutes and schools of the Faculty of Medical Sciences and the UMCG, in particular within following institutes:.

Research institute Kolff

• Oral surgical applications of biomaterials
• Oral surgical applications of bioresorbable materials

Research institute CRCG

• Premalignant abnormalities and early diagnostics long-term effects of oncological treatment

Research institute Guide

• Autoimmunity Inflammation and pain

Research institute SHARE

• Minimally invasive treatment of temporomandibular joint disease.
• Long-term effects and side effects of obstructive sleep-apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAS) treatments
• Life lines & Dental life Lines

See also: Afdeling Mondziekten, Kaak- en Aangezichtschirurgie (information for patients in Dutch)

This information is provided by Oral and maxillofacial surgery

These instructions are meant for those who have had surgery in the outpatient clinic of the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Eating, drinking, smoking and alcohol

When the local anesthesia has worn out, you may eat and drink as long as it is not very hot or cold. Alcohol and smoking have adverse effects on the wound healing and may increase post-operative pain. Do reduce the use of these to a minimum.

Post-operative pain, swelling and fever

Pain and swelling are normal post-operative features and may last for about five days. Paracetamol is a sufficient painkiller and easily available at drugstores and pharmacies. If necessary, the oral surgeon will prescribe another painkiller. The local anesthesia has worn out after two to four hours. You should better start with the painkillers before the local anesthesia has worn out.

A swollen cheek, a bluish coloration of the skin and a decreased mouth opening are normal for a couple of days. To reduce the swelling, the face may be cooled the first day with cold-packages, e.g. ice-cubes in a small plastic bag wrapped in a washing-glove.

Fever, up to 390 centigrade (1020 F), is normal. Please, contact the department if the body temperature rises over 390 or the fever exists for more than 5 days.

Bleeding

If bleeding continues after treatment, you may try to stop this by applying a compress, e.g. a folded gauze, on the wound. By gentle pressure of the bite or finger during a half our, the bleeding will stop in most cases. If not, repeat the procedure. If this again does not work, contact the department.

Oral hygiene

Blood clotting in the wound is essential for an uneventful wound healing. Do not rinse the mouth during the first 24 hours.  The mouth may be cleaned as usual after 24 hours. Do not brush teeth at painful spots, but rinse the area with lukewarm water (1/2 spoon salt/ glass).

Sutures

Usually resorbable sutures are used. If not, an appointment for a control-visit will be made.

Sometimes a medicinal gauze is inserted in the wound. In that case a control-visit for removal is necessary. 

Apico-ectomy

If a temporary restoration is used in the tooth crown, replacement by a definitive restoration is indicated. Contact your dentist within two to four weeks for this treatment.

Oral-antral-communication

Sometimes an opening from the mouth to the maxillary sinus has to be closed with non-resorbable sutures. These wounds are prone to problems in healing. Therefore it is important to avoid differences in pressure between the mouth and the nasal cavity. So, keep your mouth open during sneezing and do not blow your nose. The first 48 hours some blood may come out of the nose. This is normal and will stop by itself.

Problems

Contact the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery by telephone in case of persistent bleeding, more swelling than indicated, no adequate reduction of post-operative pain or rise in body temperature over 390 centigrade (1020F).

Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, reception J2-Q-27

(071) 526 2372 between 9.00 and 12.00 and between 14.00 en 15.00 uur. In urgentcases 526 2371 (evenings and weekend: 526 9111).

December 2013

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