Hi-

It finally occurred. I have a "bubble" above tooth #3, almost where my gums meet the cheek mucosa. When I push on the bubble it is painful.

What should I do? I do not have dental insurance. Can I have it extracted and just have tooth #2 there?

SHould I call the original dentist whom did the composite filling? Remember he wanted to pass me off to the endodontist.

Thanks.

Stacy.

Stacy,

I answered your PM ....check there.

Bryanna

Thanks Bryanna-

Should I try to obtain an oral surgeon appt. ASAP?? I did place a call into the original dentist, who was, of course, not in.

Is it OK to have tooth #2, space, tooth #4? When can I get an impant? In 6 months?

This is making me nauseous, as I tried to take care of my oral health as best as I could due to the limited opening.


Stacy

Hi Stacy,

I answered your other pm just now too.

You have extenuating circumstances with your tmj disorder. I would strongly suggest that you see an OS for the removal of this tooth and discuss IV sedation with him.

It is not ideal to have a space between #2 and 4 as the teeth will eventually start to shift in towards that space. However, you would have to discuss the placement of an implant with the OS as you have such limited opening which may not allow enough room to get the handpiece with the implant on it in there. But perhaps he could do that under IV sedation as well. Please discuss all of that in detail with the OS.

Usually an implant is placed 3-6 months post op the extraction. However, in some cases the implant is put in at the time of the extraction. Your case may be one of those times.... again the OS would need to evaluate all of that.

Please don't let this get the best of you. I think this tooth was compromised unbeknownst to you and your dentist. Perhaps it had a fracture in it that was not detectable.... that is always possible.

Hang in there.... I know you are going to be okay!

Bryanna

Hi-

The "bubble" is smaller, but the tooth is much more painful. I do have a call into the orig filling dentist. I am also going to call around on Monday to obtain am appt w/ and OS. Should I be on antibiotics prior to the extraction? I am concerned about the TMJ implants.

Also due to my limited opening, are there pediatric extraction forceps? When I call the OS practices should I Inquire who has the most experience w/ pts w/ limited openings?

Also I really do not undertand impants///would you point me in the direction of where I could read about them

Thanks!

Stacy

Hi Stacy,

The bubble (fistula) may change in size. Hopefully it will stay small and nothing else will develop between now and when you see the OS.

Some dentists think it is best to be on an antibiotic a day or two prior to the extraction of an infected tooth... that is something you would have to discuss with your dentist and/or the OS.

There are pediatric extraction forceps but they are designed for primary teeth which are smaller in the crown and root areas compared to adult teeth. Oral surgeons are use to working on people with all sorts of situations and limited opening is one of them.

As I'm thinking about it... it may be wise if your dentist put you on an antibiotic now and you scheduled a consult with the OS asap. This way you could buy some time to discuss all of your concerns with the OS in person. He could then decide if he had enough room to place a dental implant or not. The drills used for implants are long... so I'm not so sure you are a candidate for an implant.

Here is a detailed, but animated video of the surgery and placement of a dental implant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU9Fw...=TLvw5ZjRvZakI

Bryanna