Copied and pasted from my word doc to a WordPress Page, test link to my list of inventions.
Adding this entry 2023-Aug-12 after getting second titanium implant, but it was thought up around 2016. I have discussed this idea with at least my current dentist.
2016 – Dentistry – Tooth Extraction – Gauze Improvement
When gauze is placed up against a fresh dental extraction, I believe the number one reason is to soak up blood until the clotting stops the bleeding. The problem is that the developing clot almost always becomes interlinked into the gauze, so when it is removed, the entire clot is pulled out and you are back to square one. And before long, you may have contributed to the statistic that about 2 to 5 percent of extractions end up with a dry socket (see link below). It happened to me on one of my extractions. Perhaps it was my last one for the implant in 2019, I was adding a patch of clear shipping tape to the gauze where it came in contact with the clot area, so the gauze could do its job soaking up blood, but the smooth tape surface allowed for a clean release, leaving the clot behind.
I think that there are a couple of products that need to be developed that could potentially cut the number of dry sockets in half, as well as promote more and better gum regeneration. (there may be patents involved and money to be made!)
One product would be a gauze that had one whole side of it covered with a thin flexible plastic membrane (like those skin-like membranes for covering bandages) that would get pressured into the surface of the wound. Some advantages:
1. seals off blood flow better than gauze which is inherently leaky and as mentioned, a “clot grabber”. (yes, soak up the excess blood, but leave some behind in the right place to do its job!)
2. Releases easily from the developing clot, where a fresh dressing could immediately follow
The second product would be just the film itself which with a sticky side and could be added to any gauze cut to a custom size and shape to fit the particular area of surgery. This may prove to be tedious or time consuming in practice…perhaps just have a thinner version of the precoated gauze (i.e. various thicknesses) that could be cut to size and sandwiched or put under a larger piece of regular gauze.
A more advanced version of the product could be developed that release chemicals that promote tissue re-generation. As you know, the miracle of healing tissue (gums in this case), is all about creating new capillaries that connect back up with existing arterioles and venules until a new chunk of gums is created with normal blood flow. This all occurs within the clot. I suspect it is far easier to grow new capillaries starting at the artery end of things where fresh blood is being pumped out. I have no idea how on earth these find their way to reconnecting and feeding into the vein side of the equation. Some links below
DRY SOCKETS
https://www.dentistryiq.com/dentistry/oral-maxillofacial-and-surgery/article/16367785/dodging-the-dreaded-dry-socket-tips-on-preventing-this-painful-possibility
Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels – Arteries, Veins, and Capillaries
https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/Book%3A_General_Biology_(Boundless)/40%3A_The_Circulatory_System/40.10%3A_Mammalian_Heart_and_Blood_Vessels_-_Arteries_Veins_and_Capillaries#:~:text=Capillaries%20consist%20of%20a%20single,(collagen%20and%20elastic%20fibers).
NIH – Principles of Wound Healing
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534261/
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