Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryanna
Hi Laughter,
Well this is not really a laughing matter.... :/
I re read your CT results and it is possible that you still have or have recurrent osteomyelitis and perhaps your body keeps making granular tissue because it is confused by the bacteria. New tissue and bone always form after an extraction but when there is bacteria that is irritating the new growth, the new tissue grows lumpy and actually prevents the bone from filling in. That's why it needs to be re surgerized.
This problem is most commonly seen when the extraction site was not debrided thoroughly at the time the tooth was removed. In some cases, the problem goes on for months, even years before it is diagnosed properly.
I must say, your CT scan was hugely helpful in that it gave a clear picture of what was going on. Sometimes the bacteria has really set up house and it can be difficult to eradicate completely. The only thing the surgeon can do is go in again and really clean the site out as best as he can.
I would suggest that you request a biopsy AND culture be taken at the time of this surgery. The biopsy determines the bacteria and cells that are present and the sensitivity culture determines what antibiotic is most appropriate. Truthfully, both of those things are imperative and should be done. So put away the chicken suit and put on the roaster.... !!
I am sorry that you are going through this. We could look back and say... what if the dentist did this or that and what if the initial follow up care had been better. But it won't make the problem go away and it just uses up valuable energy. So try to look forward to getting this taken care of and be (gently) assertive with what you expect to have done. I think this surgeon wants to help you and I feel he would welcome your taking the role of your own advocate.
Be sure to have a soft food diet planned ahead of time so you don't have to think about it when you don't feel like thinking about it 
Hang in there... and keep us posted.
Bryanna |
Good morning Bryanna,
I hope that you had a Happy Mother's Day.
Thank you for your latest response; my intention was to reply before my surgery on Saturday, but I ran out of time!
Although I didn't eat an apple as you suggested, the neighbor brought over fresh pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes and watermelon that very same day--- how's that for timing? How's that for having great neighbors?
Saturday's surgery is finally over. Instead of sharing long, drawn out conversations with you (the kind that make your forehead hit your keyboard...lol), I want to give you the surgeon's comments.
OS said there were two bone fragments and one root tip that showed up on the radiograph from a week ago.
He also confirmed that he was doing both the biopsy and culture; the culture wasn't necessary because neither the X-rays nor the CT images reflected any existing osteomyelitis. He said the present infection was due to the bone fragments and root tip---and that once he removed them, the infection was also gone.
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My observation---the OS wasn't in the best of moods; well get in line! Lol
This surgery seems to have caused more swelling and bleeding than the first two. I don't know what the difference is, but I could tell right afterwards that the expected post-operative recovery routine was going to be different this time around. Maybe that's a good sign?
. Every once in a while, I'll gingerly peek inside my mouth, I have to say that it looks like a complete train wreck. When it comes to my pie hole, Mother Nature sure has her work cut out for her!
I respect the OS's feedback as to whether or not there is existing infection/osteomyelitis, however, I feel SO much better being able to lean on the definitive culture results. Thank you again for the very wise suggestion.
Bryanna, on average, how long does it take to get culture results? If I remember right, the biopsy results took a couple of weeks to arrive.
Why do you think the OS give me a 7-day Rx for Clindamyacin (4 pills a day) if he is certain that there isn't an infection?
One thing I wanted to mention is a few times a day, from my neck up, I am getting really flushed and hot---- I haven't taken my temp during those "episodes", so I don't know if it'd be related or not. Could I all of a sudden be allergic to Clindamyacin? This is my 4th Rx over the last 4-5 months and I haven't had these symptoms before...
I am allergic to penicillin and sulfa.
Ok, time for more ice on this chipmunk cheek.
. As always, Thank You for listening and for your input, Bryanna.
. ~Laughter