Hello, I have yesterday had my upper right wisdom tooth removed by an oral surgeon. (The dentist tried but couldn't get it out, so the next say I saw the oral surgeon and he managed to get it out.) He said it was tough work and that there was a hole in the sinus, but seemed not to think it was a big deal. He said don't sneeze and it will probably be okay, with a blood clot. He prescribed anti biotics. All this is fine and well BUT, I am flying in 3 weeks! I am flying from Australia to Europe, so it's a long flight.

Now from what I've read on the web I should be able to feel air flowing between sinus and mouth, which I do not. Even if I hold my nose I don't feel anything. Will the blood clot have stopped this? If not, why would there be a hole but no air-flow? I've also read that this could be a fistula and not a sinus hole, which might complicate things. The surgeon basically told me it would be fine and not to worry, come and see him if need be.

Will there be a problem in 3 weeks? How can I determine to fix it just in case, can I get that surgical procedure to stitch it up with collagen? I'm worried and it's a big holiday I cannot change it. Many many thanks for any help, or if you have any more questions.

Hi John X,

Do not hold your nose and try to blow air out of it because that could cause the sinus opening to enlarge. The best thing to do is follow the surgeons post operative instructions. If you develop symptoms of an infection or all of a sudden you feel air communication between your nose and mouth, then see the surgeon. Otherwise, if the healing continues to go well, then see your surgeon the week before you are leaving for holiday to have him check the surgical site.

Bryanna

Many thanks Bryanna. I've read many responses from you in other threads and they seem very reliable. I will keep a close watch on it and see the surgeon before I leave. However I am only concerned because he seemed so easy going about it all, when I asked "well is there an increased chance of infection with a hole there?" he simply said "no". Possibly to put me at ease but even 5 mins of internet research one would realise there's definitely a higher chance of infection. Anyway, if it's not fully healed by a week before I go, should I get the surgery to get it closed over? Will that make it okay for flying (and how many days before hand should I get it done, if need be)? Or will it be okay for flying long distances anyway, as long as I take some sudafed etc?

I will of course ask him all this as well but I'd like to have an idea of what might happen before I get up to see him, it's an important upcoming trip and I'd really hate to have to cancel it. In the meantime I am grateful for my blood clot which must be a strong one to hold over the hole.

Just to be on the safe side, check with your dental insurance company to see if you can be seen in Europe should you have a complication. Well, assuming you have dental insurance. I have traveled abroad from the US and know that some insurance companies will cover abroad. I would imagine in 3 weeks you will have healed enough to fly safely if you have no complications in the mean time. Have a great trip!

Hi John,

Thanks for the kind words... my replies are very reliable ... I've been in dentistry as a chairside assistant for 35 yrs! I'm glad to be of help here...

The surgeon's attitude was fairly typical... he does not want to worry you for no reason. Sometimes it's just best to let well enough alone and see what happens.

I would not advise to have the surgery to close the sinus one week before flying unless the surgery was very simple and not complicated. If you want the surgeon to monitor this a couple of times before you leave, then see him next week and then the following week.

Bryanna

Thanks NCRN, and thanks again Bryanna, you are very experienced and I for one appreciate your help as I'm sure everyone else does too.

Still no "communication" as far as I can tell and I'm seeing him again Monday week so hopefully a good new update. Will take very good care of it until then.

I know it's old news now, but all turned out okay with my tooth. No communciation ever happened and the holiday was fine. Thanks for helps folks.

Hi John X,

Woo Hoo!! Great to hear! Thanks for the update )

Bryanna