Hi Bryanna

I had a front upper tooth removed approx. 1 year ago and at the time said to the dentist that the perio ligament needed removed and at the time and she said that the area had been well cleaned out so was wondering if there is anyway to know for sure that there is no infection left anywhere around the socket or jaw bone?. Also a question regarding plastic tempory crowns ie the ones in the box set, are these biocompatible to use?

Thanks

Chris

Hi Chris,

Are you having any obvious problems with the upper extraction site.... any swelling, fevers, pain in that site or the surrounding areas? Has the site healed closed completely? Is there a large indentation where the tooth use to be? Has your dentist taken an x-ray of that area in the last year?

Most temporary crowns are not really considered bio compatible as they are all derived from some form of plastic or acrylic material. Also, one person could have an adverse affect to a particular material whereas someone else does not.

Do you think you are you having problems with a temporary crown?

Bryanna

No no real issues with swelling or anything like that just can feel it healing when i rest. There is no be indent as such but I am just trying to make sure the area is without infection completly.

The tempory crown I have fitted is polybocarbate material.

Chris

Hi Chris,

The polycarbonate temporary is a thermoplastic material. It can be heated, molded into shape very easily and then it hardens when it gets cold. This plastic itself is considered a biocompatible material but the physical compatibility differs from one person to another.

The area of the extraction should not really feel like anything at this point... it's been a year since the extraction correct?

What does it feel like when you are resting? Do you get a pulsating or throbbing sensation? Do you notice something when you lay your head down or bend you head down towards the floor?

Bryanna

When I would rest ie put my head down I sometimes feel a kind of knitting pulsing feeling not always but I figure this is it healing etc so was not to alarmed but I am not 100% sure regarding the perio ligament but the previous dentist really scraped the area when removing the tooth which left quite a bit of healing to be done when the tooth was removed but the last thing i want is for any dead tissue to be left inside the area so just want to be 100% sure on this.

Chris

Its been about 10-11 months approx since tooth was removed.

Hi Chris,

The pulsing feeling when you put your head down could indicate that there is a sinus communication occurring withing that space. Which could be due to residual bacterial and/or a perforation into the sinus membrane. It also could be nothing to be concerned about and will dissipate over time.

One way to "give a look" at that area and see the location of the sinus is to have a dental periapical x-ray done. If there is a sinus communication it is best to see the size of it via the x-ray.

Has your dentist done an x-ray up there recently? Have you explained the pulsing feeling that you get?

Bryanna