Bleeding in Dental Surgery

Abstract

Excessive bleeding complicates surgery and may result in a higher risk of morbidity in dentistry. Although multiple evidence-based clinical guidelines regard dental interventions as minor procedures, with low risk of bleeding, patients on anticoagulation therapy are at elevated risk of bleeding complications, during and following dental surgeries. In many instances, discontinuation or altering of anticoagulation can be avoided through the use of local hemostatic agents during or after the procedure (or both), while patients are therapeutically continued on their prescribed anticoagulant doses. In addition, patients with diagnosis of hereditary bleeding disorders, such as von Willebrand disease and hemophilia, and individuals without any history of bleeding complications can present the need for the use of topical hemostatic agents. In this chapter, we discuss the mechanisms of action, practical applications, effectiveness, and potential negative effects of biosurgical topical hemostatic agents, such as gelatin sponges, collagen, oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) and oxidized cellulose, fibrin sealants, flowables, adhesives, and topical thrombin in dental surgery.