Originally Posted by Silky

Hi Bryanna,

I'm not a smoker. Thought I'd get that out of the way first. ;-) The sinus perf on the right side healed totally. The surgeon had stitched it at the time of the extraction. I had air escaping symptoms for about 5 months, and then that cleared up.

When I saw the oral surgeon today, he did an xray and examined the site, and he said there is no perf. Would an xray be pretty conclusive for that?

I did some researching and found that oroantral fistula also has the symptoms of air escaping and salty discharge. Is that something different than a perf? Usually I heal very quickly in the gums, about a week. It's been two weeks, and he said the hole is a size of a dime in the extraction site. That's not normal for me. I asked him if he could close it, and he preferred not to. Could the opening just be stitched closed after two weeks. I'm afraid that this is open to the sinus and that's where I'm getting that salty taste. Oroantral fistula sounds pretty scary if it turns into a sinus infection. I've never had a sinus infection, and my sinuses have always been very clear.

If this is an oroantral fistula, what would you recommend about flying then?

You're so helpful. I really appreciate your advice! Thanks. Carol

It sounds like another sinus perforation but there is no way to tell if it needs surgical intervention or what exact procedure via the internet. Whatever happened to the other sinus perf on the right side back in July?

I think you said in a previous note that you were a smoker. Anytime a smoker has an extraction, the chances of developing a dry socket anyplace in the mouth and/or a sinus perforation of an upper tooth is more likely to occur than in someone who does not smoke. Also, the gum tissue will take longer to heal closed in a smoker... which can lead to a more extensive sinus perforation and infection. The reason for these complications is due to the lack of oxygen and red blood cells in the oral tissue caused by the chemicals in the tobacco.

It is usually recommended to refrain from flying if you have a sinus perforation from an extracted tooth. The pressure can cause the perf to enlarge and become very painful. It is also recommended to not blow your nose and to cough with your mouth open to diminish the pressure on the sinuses until the sinus perforation has closed.

Did you see the oral surgeon today? What did he say?

Bryanna


[/I]QUOTE=Silky;689935]I have the symptoms of a perforated sinus. I have air leaking out into the mouth. I also have the salty discharge leaking from the extraction site. It's been two weeks since the extraction of tooth #16. The salty discharge has just started to be somewhat less than it had been. I see the oral surgeon today. Do you think a surgical repair needs to be done at this point, or could the extraction hole still close on its own? Normally my gum tissue heals really fast, so I'm concerned about the hole still being open. Also, should the sinus be stitched or patched at this point?

Also, I am supposed to fly out of town next Friday. I would not want to go if this could cause a problem with a sinus infection or tearing the perforation further. What do you think about flying?

Thanks so much. Carol