[nmdicke2]

66 y.o. female. had a bottom molar extracted about 3 weeks ago. Because the roots were thick and had some kind of odd ""barbs"? on the ends the dentist was in my mouth drilling, pulling and digging the molar fragments out for more than 2 1/2 hours without a rest. As he tried to get it out, it would fracture.

The hole was sutured on the end closest to the next forward tooth but mostly left open. Prior to extraction dentist had been trying to save the tooth with a crown but decay caused part of the tooth to break off; he couldn't save it. He took xray before he began work and several 3 times as he was finishing up. He believed all would heal fine; what an ordeal!

The hole was huge and bits of food kept falling into it which bothered me . Also the top edges began to fall toward each other during healing. I called to ask if the hole would close starting at the top instead the bottom and what if food particles got trapped in there. No worries I was told. After about 2 weeks the discomfort got slightly worse and my lower gum line looked to me more red all along the base - not nearest the teeth but near the ?jaw? One end of the hole was red and developed a pimple that would pop and release white liquid plus a little blood. No remarkable discomfort. I called the dentist when the redness/discomfort increased and asked for antibiotic; he rx'd erythromyacin 500 mg. which I've been taking every 6 hours. The little white suture threads have gone and the hole is almost closed completely. Jaw and ear have finally stopped hurting. But the pimple at the end of the healing hole looks like a steep little red hill with a white cap and the lower gum area way below the extraction site is still quite red all along the jaw line (not sure what words to use). No fever, no pain.

Since I can't drive I'm reluctant to go to dentist if this process if just a matter of debris working its way out. Dentist had told me this extraction was "a bear" and quite difficult and with my age, muscle weakness, etc. healing would be 6-8 weeks.

So finally to the question: am I being foolish to just wait and watch? Tonight I gently pressed the pimple and the white liquid was released. I have about 5 more capsules of erythromycin to take. The xrays during the extraction didn't seem to show any fragments in the site so it seems to me that waiting might be okay. Your opinion?

[Bryanna]

Hi nmdicke,

It would be wise to see an oral surgeon for an evaluation. Obviously this extraction was too complicated for your general dentist to perform and there could be some residual pieces of root still in there that are causing an irritation or infection.

Residual root pieces do not always work themselves out and the risk of infection can be fairly significant.

If this were me... I would see an oral surgeon as soon as I could.

Also, try to avoid pressing on the lump as you are only causing further bacteria in that area. It is best to keep your mouth very clean by brushing and flossing thoroughly and rinse with warm salt water 3 times a day until you see the oral surgeon. Do not use anything else to rinse with no mouthwash as it will only irritate everything.

Bryanna

Originally Posted by nmdicke2

66 y.o. female. had a bottom molar extracted about 3 weeks ago. Because the roots were thick and had some kind of odd ""barbs"? on the ends the dentist was in my mouth drilling, pulling and digging the molar fragments out for more than 2 1/2 hours without a rest. As he tried to get it out, it would fracture.

The hole was sutured on the end closest to the next forward tooth but mostly left open. Prior to extraction dentist had been trying to save the tooth with a crown but decay caused part of the tooth to break off; he couldn't save it. He took xray before he began work and several 3 times as he was finishing up. He believed all would heal fine; what an ordeal!

The hole was huge and bits of food kept falling into it which bothered me . Also the top edges began to fall toward each other during healing. I called to ask if the hole would close starting at the top instead the bottom and what if food particles got trapped in there. No worries I was told. After about 2 weeks the discomfort got slightly worse and my lower gum line looked to me more red all along the base - not nearest the teeth but near the ?jaw? One end of the hole was red and developed a pimple that would pop and release white liquid plus a little blood. No remarkable discomfort. I called the dentist when the redness/discomfort increased and asked for antibiotic; he rx'd erythromyacin 500 mg. which I've been taking every 6 hours. The little white suture threads have gone and the hole is almost closed completely. Jaw and ear have finally stopped hurting. But the pimple at the end of the healing hole looks like a steep little red hill with a white cap and the lower gum area way below the extraction site is still quite red all along the jaw line (not sure what words to use). No fever, no pain.

Since I can't drive I'm reluctant to go to dentist if this process if just a matter of debris working its way out. Dentist had told me this extraction was "a bear" and quite difficult and with my age, muscle weakness, etc. healing would be 6-8 weeks.

So finally to the question: am I being foolish to just wait and watch? Tonight I gently pressed the pimple and the white liquid was released. I have about 5 more capsules of erythromycin to take. The xrays during the extraction didn't seem to show any fragments in the site so it seems to me that waiting might be okay. Your opinion?