Originally Posted by Bryanna

Hi Laughter,

I've been known to cluck a time or two.... ~:>
I always take fear and apprehension seriously whether it be coming from myself or someone else! I think kindness and competency of those in charge of the situation go a long way with us <<chickens>>

Your question about osteomyelitis.... When an infected tooth is extracted there is no guarantee that the bone will be completely healthy once it has healed, especially if the infection was long standing. So it is always best to have a thorough debridement of the bony socket and ideal to do that at the time of the extraction to give the patient the best chance of a positive outcome. It is also ideal to have a culture of the bacteria taken at the time of the extraction so that the proper antibiotic can be prescribed. I only know of a handful of dentists who do that routinely... makes no sense not to, but what can I say :/

I am glad that os #2 is spending some quality time with you. He knows that things were not ideally done initially and since he took your case on he is now obligated to see it through. I agree that you should see your internist for an evaluation of the lymph nodes and I would do that soon. Bring the written results of the CT scan with you and the films also. He will refer you to a specialist if necessary. If the dr does not suggest blood work, then it may behoove you to ask him for it. There are different tests to measure for infection and inflammation in the blood. Just talk to him about doing that as you are concerned about residual infection.

The symptoms that you have on the left side, headaches etc... sound mainly muscular to me. The fact that the tightness is easing up is a good sign! Try the warm moist compresses and see if that makes a difference. Also, you could be grinding or clenching your teeth and not know it. The person that sleeps with you.... could be a sound sleeper and not hear it...?? You mentioned that os#2 thought you had some scar tissue due to a chronic chewing habit in a certain area. If you think about that.......... ...... .... that could be a habit that you do without thinking, like clenching or grinding. As a matter of fact, in order to chew the tissue enough to create scar tissue, you would really be working that masseter muscle which is similar to what happens when you clench or grind your teeth. Make sense??

Keep us posted... and take good care of yourself.
Bryanna