Hilotherapy

Hilotherapy: Improved Healing Following Dental Surgery

Dental surgery are two words that, when used together, can inspire a lot of dread. Nobody likes pain, and recovering from surgery often brings swelling, discomfort and the use of prescription medications many would rather avoid. People are used to applying ice to help swelling, but this is often uncomfortable, messy as it melts and not as effective as you might imagine. Ironically, ice can be too cold and increase discomfort. In addition, holding it on the affected area doesn’t allow the patient the rest required for recovery.

Dr. Golden, always interested in the latest technology, has discovered a way to help her patients recover faster. The Swiss Dental Solutions Hilotherm cooling mask promotes safe, natural healing by reducing pain, swelling and bruising. This means that anesthesia and painkillers don’t have to be as widely used, sometimes even avoided. Patients can return to normal life faster, with less pain and metabolizing less medication.

To understand why the Hilotherm cooling mask can help so much, it’s useful to understand that when a patient undergoes surgery, the affected area endures a disruption in the supply of oxygen and other nutrients. The patient’s metabolic rate increases, which makes the skin inflamed. This creates a cycle where the area needs more oxygen than the body can provide, which leads to ischemia, or reduced blood flow that causes a further shortage of oxygen to the surrounding tissue. That in turn leads to cell death and edema, which is more swelling caused by excess fluid. Cooling the affected area reduces the need for oxygen in the damaged tissue, and this is where the Hilotherm cooling mask comes in.

Hilotherapy cools the skin at the perfect temperature to help the patient’s metabolism dispose of dead cells and accelerate the healing process. When used for 72 hours following a procedure, it reduces swelling and keeps the patient comfortable, often without pain medication. The mask contours to the patient’s face and provides cooling without dripping ice packs, allowing for rest or sleep.

The Hilotherm device circulates fluid through the mask, placed on the patient before swelling develops after dental surgery. The mask connects to the Hilotherm device with two small tubes, and the circulating water is kept at 62.5°, a soothing temperature that reduces swelling but doesn’t cause discomfort the way ice can. It benefits patients who might otherwise experience pain and swelling that make swallowing difficult and allows them to eat and drink, which in turn helps healing.

Dr. Golden uses the Hilotherm mask in the office, but also allows patients to use it at home after a procedure. She will also advise on holistic healing methods, such as nutritional supplements, which foods to eat and to avoid, the use of arnica, natural sleep aids and probiotics to ensure healthy intestinal flora that will aid in healing. You can trust that she will do everything she can to make your experience as painless as possible.

For more information about Hilotherapy, call 516-627-8400 or visit GoldenSmile.com.