Hi yillbs,

He is correct in that the amount of tissue and bone that was still attached to this tooth is "typical" when a tooth is removed in the manner that he removed it. It has nothing to do with the size of the tooth... it has all to do with the extraction technique. I have no doubt that he thinks he did what is "typically" done because unfortunately many general dentists and some oral surgeons use too much force when they extract teeth.

For what it's worth to you..... my opinion is based on formal education and 36 years of chair side assisting in oral surgery. Of which I have participated in thousands of tooth extractions and seen all sorts of thing occur.
When a tooth such as yours is extracted, instruments are used to gently but deliberately separate the tooth from the soft tissue. Once that is achieved, instruments are used to gently but deliberately luxate or dislocate the tooth from the bone. When either of those steps are rushed through or not done adequately, the tooth comes out with tissue and bone attached to it.

The symptoms you are having with your sinus may be indicative of a sinus perforation. Meaning either the tooth root was in close proximity to the sinus and caused an opening into the sinus and/or the sinus was perforated during the extraction. Did your dentist mention anything about your sinuses to you?

It would behoove you to have an evaluation with an oral surgeon to check for a sinus perforation to see the size and location of it. During this appointment he could also check for those bony spurs. You would need to bring your pre op xray with you so he can see the relation between the root of the tooth and the sinus and he would also take a new post op xray to check everything else.

Bryanna