Hi Bryanna.
So, my obgyn was concerned with why the oral surgeon felt the bone graft was necessary and questioned it. She was ok with performing the extraction for the infected tooth but she didn't understand why the expensive bone graft procedure was necessary at this point.
I then talked to one of my friends who is a periodentist and she looked at the xray and couldn't see why he thought the sinus was affected. To her, it looked like he just needed to do the extraction and fill with gel or collatape (sp?) and suture since there was no indication from the xray that the sinus was perforated.
I then went to an ENT doctor to get his opinion regarding whether my sinus was leaking bacteria. He said that based upon his exam and review of the xray, there didn't seem to be any indication of a perforation of the sinus and I am not experiencing any symptoms suggesting any sinus issues. He said my sinus looked completely fine. Also, from looking at the xray, the ENT doc felt that the sinus was sufficiently far enough away from the sinus that it didn't look like it would be affected by the extraction. He was very concerned as to why the oral surgeon was suggesting that the bone graft was necessary at this juncture, especially since the extraction was not even done yet.
Now, I am concerned that the oral surgeon is telling me I need to have a procedure that no other doctor seems to support at this juncture and pay for it in advance out of my own pocket while I am 7 months pregnant.
All other docs seem to think that the oral surgeon is looking to make a quick buck at my expense.
I want the oral surgeon to do the extraction tomorrow but not the bone graft. I called and left his practice a message so that he can explain to me why the bone graft is medically necessary at this juncture.
Aney
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryanna
Aney,
I am in the dental profession..
At seven months pregnant it is best to have one single surgery... do it all with the oral surgeon.
You could ask for a reconsideration of benefits from your medical insurance company after the procedure is done stating you were in an urgent situation and 7 months pregnant. Perhaps your oral surgeon will write a brief letter explaining the situation and what he felt was in your best interest.
Please let us know how you're doing.
Bryanna
I just went to an oral surgeon who indicated that I had an infected wisdom tooth that must be extracted asap. He also indicated that there is a hole in my sinus that is leaking bacteria. He has recommended that I have the tooth removed and "simultaneous repair of the fistulae between the oral and sinus cavity with a bone graft and tissue flap." The tooth extraction is covered by my dental insurance but my dental insurance does not cover the repair of the hole in the sinus. My medical insurance would cover the repair of the sinus if I went to an ENT doctor.
To make matters a bit more complicated, I am almost 7 months pregnant. The dental surgeon suggested that if I don't get the procedure done asap, the leaking bacteria could potentially harm the baby.
My question is - should I have the oral surgeon do the extraction (covered by insurance) which is scheduled for this Friday and then go to an ENT for sinus repair or is it just better to do it all with the oral surgeon on Friday and bear the $800 expense for the oral surgeon to repair the hole in the sinus?
Is there any danger to me or the baby if I wait to get the sinus repaired?
Any guidance would be appreciated.
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