Hi everyone,
This is my first post. I have been reading all the posts about sinus perforation since I have a suspected one (3D imaging tomorrow morning, seeing oral surgeon) with a suspected periapical abscess of old root-canaled 1st molar. It just started being painful this week, although I had referred pain into lower jaw for some time.

If it is abscessing, I want to have it removed and I am sure my oral surgeon will do that with assisted IV tomorrow morning, if necessary. I am worried about the possibility of sinus perforation since salty fluid is coming from near the tooth as far as I can tell, and I am a bit sniffly. I have been on antibiotics (amoxicillin and flagyl) for a week now, but still have swelling.

What should I be looking for? Is it safe to remove the tooth at the oral surgeon's office? Would he put the membrane into the site if he sees a perforation?

Trying to learn as much as I can from reading Bryanna's posts!

Thanks to everyone for providing your stories.

Marcie

I thought I should post an update:

I had a CAT scan done last night (not a 3D dental one, just a traditional 64 slice one used in hospitals) and they didn't see sinus penetration. No evidence of sinusitis on that either which was good. That's the good news.

I saw the oral surgeon and he did another pan x-ray. He saw what he thought was an obvious abscess of the upper 1st molar (which was ROOT CANALED so I'll never have another one of those). I had it extracted this morning, and the oral surgeon said the roots did not extend into the sinus cavity and that he didn't see any obvious perforations of the sinus cavity itself. He cleaned it out very well, according to the dental assistant (She told my sister that - I was kind of out of it still) who confirmed two of the three roots were abscessed.

So no membrane, just stitches, perchlor antibiotic rinse, ibuprofen, T3 as needed and antibiotics: metronidazole, and Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid.

I am hoping all goes well. One thing that concerned me, is that my oral surgeon said if it was a bad infection even with an obvious sinus perforation, that he wouldn't put membrane in right away - I was surprised at that. That he would rather be satisfied that the infection dry up since most tears heal on their own through fibrous tissue formation? Wouldn't it be better to have an ENT and oral surgeon together in this case so both could do their part? confused here.

I am following all post surgical instructions and hoping for the best.

Hi Marcie,

Glad you had that tooth out! Root canaled teeth are always infected and once again, your experience tells that story.

Sometimes when there is a sinus perforation and there is a large infection, surgeons will hold off on placing the membrane to see if the perf closes on it's own. Infection and any foreign substance often don't mix real well. So it's probably better to see if the sinus heals on it's own.

I'm sure the surgeon wants to see you post op in a week or two?

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna,
Thank you for replying!

No, there isn't anything scheduled post op with my surgeon (of course) but I can ask for one. The site is not bleeding but difficult to see and I of course am still in pain.

I am still feeling the salty taste tonight. My nose isn't running.

Would taking sudafed help? Not sure .... just worried really. I was instructed not to r
Thread Questions regarding possible perforated sinus
Forum Dentistry & Dental Issues
Title
inse til 24 hours post op. I could pick up sudafed in the morning if it might help.

Well this hasn't gone smoothly at all.
Fluid is now sloshing back and forth, through my healing site and into my mouth and causing immense pain in my ears and sinus. Worse than anything I have ever experienced.

Taking sudafed, on antibiotics, not sure what else to do. (Not blowing nose,
I suspect I must have quite a large perforation and am miserable.

Question: do I need a 3D CT scan?
Who would repair this? (Oral surgeon or ENT?)
How long should I wait?

Bryanna, I hope you see this post.

Raye,

Do not wait... see the oral surgeon tomorrow.

If the sinus is open, there is no amount of decongestant that will help. The antibiotic you are on may not be adequate for this either ..... you have to be seen clinically.

In the meantime, rinse with warm salt water 3-4 times during the day to keep the extraction site clean. Do not rinse with any mouthwash... none. You could apply moist heat to that side of your face and sinus... not dry heat, moist only and no ice. Do that every hour or so until you see the surgeon. That will help keep the blood flowing in that area which is what you want to help reduce the pressure from the inflammation (infection?).

Seriously, tomorrow without fail see the os.

Check back with us .... I know this is awful, but you'll be okay.
Bryanna