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Old 12-01-2014, 10:37 AM #1
atron23 atron23 is offline
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Default Gum/jaw issues almost 2 months after extraction..

First post here, and I just want to say first that this site and these posts in this forum have helped me so much during this saga I have been having with my tooth. It has helped to ease some of my worries over the past few months and I thank you for that. I wanted to post my experience and some symptoms I am now having after a tooth extraction to see if anyone has a different opinion or some in sight on the situation.

This all began in March 2014 on my bottom right molar, second from the back (I believe #37?, I have had all 4 wisdom teeth out for 8 years now so I'm not counting those). I had a filling in that tooth for years and developed decay underneath, so the dentist removed the filling and decay, and replaced with a silver filling. For a couple weeks after, I had a tin sensation between my teeth every time I bit down - almost like a lightning bolt. I had gone in 2 times for a bite adjustment over March and April, then in the beginning of May, BAM!!! Full out infection in my tooth/jaw, it was so swollen and painful I could hardly bare it. Of course I went back to the dentist who did the filling and he continued to tell me it was just a large filling, it was going to take some time to settle and he gave me some antibiotics for the infection. I've never had anything like this before, so I said okay and went on my way.

Well, needless to say I had to go back because the infection didn't go away nor did the swelling or pain. The dentist said after looking at xrays, he couldnt see anything visibly wrong with the tooth, just a large filling and that maybe there was either a hairline fracture or the large filling was still settling and we could wait it out. I said forget that, if the infection was going to clear out with antibiotics it would have, I couldn't go on living with this infection in there so we opted for a root canal to try to save the tooth. He performed the root canal early June, and after the procedure explained that there was a bit of pus coming out of the canals (I guess?) while he was cleaning but other than that, he just got up and left. No antibiotics or nothing prescribed after the procedure and I just went home.

After the root canal, the infection still didn't clear out all the way. I went back to the dental office and saw a different dentist there to get a second opinion. She took some xrays and said there was a little bit of infection still left right at the bottom of the tooth so she gave me some amoxicillin and flagyl to clear it up. Basically from May to October, I was on antibiotics of some kind to clear up the infection (flagyl, amoxicillin, clinamyacin, you name it) and nothing worked.

Finally, I said enough of the antibiotics (my insides were ravaged) and went to get a third opinion at a different office in October. She took some xrays and it still showed that same little infection. She offered to refer me to a specialist or if I wanted, we could remove the tooth but explained this may or may not help and all those concerns. To be honest, at this point I was at my wits end, I had spent the last half year of my life in so much pain and it was affecting my work and life so I just opted to have the sucker taken out. I'm not sure if that was the right decision, but like I said I was at my wits end and I don't have benefits nor a lot of money.

October 8, 2014 I had the molar extracted. The procedure took about an hour and a half - it was not pleasant. It came out in so many broken little pieces, she explained it was because of the root canal. She gave me some antibiotics to help with the infection and after the initial healing, things seemed to have cleared up with it.

HOWEVER - Early last week (November 24, 2014), I had what I think was two little bone or tooth fragments work their way out. Now it seems what I think to be a bone spur coming out of the side of the gum and poking into my cheek. It is very tender to touch. Aside from that, I am also experiencing what feels like an infection forming again in the jaw again - kinda like a tight, heavy feeling and can almost feel a bump underneath where the tooth was, just like I had when it was there and infected. I feel so utterly defeated, could this be infected again? I think maybe it is and maybe it opened up again when those two little bone fragments came out and some bacteria got in again. It is even possible for the area to get infected after almost 2 months of healing?

I know its a long story, and thanks if you stuck in there to read it. I'd appreciate any insight or opinion on this situation! Thank you
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Old 12-01-2014, 02:35 PM #2
Lara Lara is offline
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Hello atron23,

Ouch. I'm sorry for what you're dealing with there.

I just wanted to welcome you to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

I hope it all gets sorted soon.
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Old 12-02-2014, 01:11 AM #3
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Hi atron,

Welcome!

First of all, please think twice about seeing a dentist who still uses mercury fillings. Most dentists stopped using that years ago. Every dentist knows that mercury is very toxic and there is no reason to use it as there are better alternatives. So please avoid being exposed to that again.

Based on your description...... the decay in the molar tooth was deep and the tooth was most likely getting infected prior to putting in that new filling. Your dentist should have seen that and explained that to you at that time. The pus that was seen during the root canal indicates what I just said to be true. Pus forms inside of a tooth when the tooth has been infected for some time.

I am going to assume that the dentist that removed the tooth was a general dentist and not an oral surgeon. It sounds like she had a tough time removing it and caused quite a bit of trauma to your jaw bone. It is normal to have some splintering of the bone after a difficult extraction but yours sounds a bit extreme which can indicate that she was not as thorough with the surgery as she could have been. Your description of your recent pain could be from an infection in the bone in that area. If she did not scrape out the necrotic tissue thoroughly, then the same infection that you had could still be present.

Antibiotics are not going to cure this problem. You have already been over prescribed them to begin with. I would suggest that you consult with an oral surgeon and make sure all of your xrays both pre and post op of that tooth are sent to him for your consultation. I would not wait to do this.

I'm sorry you are have been treated so poorly. Please get in to see the oral surgeon as soon as you can.

Please check back and let us know how you are doing.
Bryanna




Quote:
Originally Posted by atron23 View Post
First post here, and I just want to say first that this site and these posts in this forum have helped me so much during this saga I have been having with my tooth. It has helped to ease some of my worries over the past few months and I thank you for that. I wanted to post my experience and some symptoms I am now having after a tooth extraction to see if anyone has a different opinion or some in sight on the situation.

This all began in March 2014 on my bottom right molar, second from the back (I believe #37?, I have had all 4 wisdom teeth out for 8 years now so I'm not counting those). I had a filling in that tooth for years and developed decay underneath, so the dentist removed the filling and decay, and replaced with a silver filling. For a couple weeks after, I had a tin sensation between my teeth every time I bit down - almost like a lightning bolt. I had gone in 2 times for a bite adjustment over March and April, then in the beginning of May, BAM!!! Full out infection in my tooth/jaw, it was so swollen and painful I could hardly bare it. Of course I went back to the dentist who did the filling and he continued to tell me it was just a large filling, it was going to take some time to settle and he gave me some antibiotics for the infection. I've never had anything like this before, so I said okay and went on my way.

Well, needless to say I had to go back because the infection didn't go away nor did the swelling or pain. The dentist said after looking at xrays, he couldnt see anything visibly wrong with the tooth, just a large filling and that maybe there was either a hairline fracture or the large filling was still settling and we could wait it out. I said forget that, if the infection was going to clear out with antibiotics it would have, I couldn't go on living with this infection in there so we opted for a root canal to try to save the tooth. He performed the root canal early June, and after the procedure explained that there was a bit of pus coming out of the canals (I guess?) while he was cleaning but other than that, he just got up and left. No antibiotics or nothing prescribed after the procedure and I just went home.

After the root canal, the infection still didn't clear out all the way. I went back to the dental office and saw a different dentist there to get a second opinion. She took some xrays and said there was a little bit of infection still left right at the bottom of the tooth so she gave me some amoxicillin and flagyl to clear it up. Basically from May to October, I was on antibiotics of some kind to clear up the infection (flagyl, amoxicillin, clinamyacin, you name it) and nothing worked.

Finally, I said enough of the antibiotics (my insides were ravaged) and went to get a third opinion at a different office in October. She took some xrays and it still showed that same little infection. She offered to refer me to a specialist or if I wanted, we could remove the tooth but explained this may or may not help and all those concerns. To be honest, at this point I was at my wits end, I had spent the last half year of my life in so much pain and it was affecting my work and life so I just opted to have the sucker taken out. I'm not sure if that was the right decision, but like I said I was at my wits end and I don't have benefits nor a lot of money.

October 8, 2014 I had the molar extracted. The procedure took about an hour and a half - it was not pleasant. It came out in so many broken little pieces, she explained it was because of the root canal. She gave me some antibiotics to help with the infection and after the initial healing, things seemed to have cleared up with it.

HOWEVER - Early last week (November 24, 2014), I had what I think was two little bone or tooth fragments work their way out. Now it seems what I think to be a bone spur coming out of the side of the gum and poking into my cheek. It is very tender to touch. Aside from that, I am also experiencing what feels like an infection forming again in the jaw again - kinda like a tight, heavy feeling and can almost feel a bump underneath where the tooth was, just like I had when it was there and infected. I feel so utterly defeated, could this be infected again? I think maybe it is and maybe it opened up again when those two little bone fragments came out and some bacteria got in again. It is even possible for the area to get infected after almost 2 months of healing?

I know its a long story, and thanks if you stuck in there to read it. I'd appreciate any insight or opinion on this situation! Thank you
__________________
Bryanna

***I have been in the dental profession for 4 decades. I am an educator and Certified Dental Assistant extensively experienced in chair side assisting and dental radiography. The information that I provide here is my opinion based on my education and professional experience. It is not meant to be taken as medical advice.***
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Old 12-02-2014, 02:10 PM #4
atron23 atron23 is offline
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Default Update!

Thank you Lara and thank you Bryanna. I really appreciate your insight on the situation. I just wanted to keep this posting updated as I am going through this, it has been almost therapeutic for me typing it out.

This morning I actually had an appointment with both my general physician and a cleaning at the original dentist who did the root canal, the dentist who did the extraction on the tooth is out of town for a few days so I figured I was due for a cleaning and they could probably do some x-rays on the area.

First, at my physician's appointment, I had a minor mental breakdown after dealing with all the symptoms for months now and explained to him all of what has been going on. I know that he is a physician, not a dentist, but I felt like I was getting nowhere with the dentists (they keep claiming there is no infection there, not even in the bone) and I had nowhere else to go. I told him I know my body and I know there is something wrong despite what the dentists show and tell me. Thankfully, he listened to me and I am now scheduled for an x-ray and a bone scan on that section of my jaw Thursday morning. He told me that this will at least tell me what is going on inside and if there is an infection in the bone, that I will have to be put on IV antibiotics and if need be, surgery. I'm getting some blood work done too to rule out any other infection going on in my body because he thought the lump under my jaw was a swollen lymphnode, and not the bone or tissue itself.

After my doctor's appointment, I had my cleaning and checkup at the dentist. My overall oral health is quite good, and the hygientist was happy with the health of my gums and teeth etc. I do have a broken filling in the tooth in front of the extracted tooth, but I don't think that is what has been bothering my jaw and the dentist said I can either have that filled or wait until I have a bridge put in since work would have to be done on that tooth anyway. He was pretty disappointed I ended up having to get the tooth extracted after the root canal, and explained to me that there must have been something wrong with the tooth from the very beginning, most likely a crack, and that all the antibiotics would have never helped with that. (Still not sure how I should feel that they continued to give me script after script after having the root canal done and the infection not leaving, besides the point though.)

I asked if there was any infection or signs of concern showing on the x-ray today and he showed me it and said no, there was nothing there. He said it looked fine, basically refusing to refer me to an oral surgeon because there was no reason to. He wants to give it a couple more weeks and obviously, if I have any more discomfort to come in and see him again.

I live in Ontario and it's difficult if not impossible to get into any type of surgeon without a referral from your doctor or dentist, and leaves us patients waiting for weeks to get into anywhere or just unable to get in because we need that referral, otherwise I would go above everybody and go straight to an oral surgeon. That's the "joy" of a public healthcare system (although dental isn't really included). Anyway, I'm hopeful that after the x-ray and bone scan that my doctor set up for me that it will give me the answers I am looking for, I will be sure to keep this posting updated as I know more.
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Old 12-03-2014, 10:59 AM #5
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H atron,

The xrays and bone scan need to be specified for DENTAL purposes or they may be inconclusive. Dental xrays and scans are done differently than regular scans, so be sure they are specifically for dental.

Bryanna



Quote:
Originally Posted by atron23 View Post
Thank you Lara and thank you Bryanna. I really appreciate your insight on the situation. I just wanted to keep this posting updated as I am going through this, it has been almost therapeutic for me typing it out.

This morning I actually had an appointment with both my general physician and a cleaning at the original dentist who did the root canal, the dentist who did the extraction on the tooth is out of town for a few days so I figured I was due for a cleaning and they could probably do some x-rays on the area.

First, at my physician's appointment, I had a minor mental breakdown after dealing with all the symptoms for months now and explained to him all of what has been going on. I know that he is a physician, not a dentist, but I felt like I was getting nowhere with the dentists (they keep claiming there is no infection there, not even in the bone) and I had nowhere else to go. I told him I know my body and I know there is something wrong despite what the dentists show and tell me. Thankfully, he listened to me and I am now scheduled for an x-ray and a bone scan on that section of my jaw Thursday morning. He told me that this will at least tell me what is going on inside and if there is an infection in the bone, that I will have to be put on IV antibiotics and if need be, surgery. I'm getting some blood work done too to rule out any other infection going on in my body because he thought the lump under my jaw was a swollen lymphnode, and not the bone or tissue itself.

After my doctor's appointment, I had my cleaning and checkup at the dentist. My overall oral health is quite good, and the hygientist was happy with the health of my gums and teeth etc. I do have a broken filling in the tooth in front of the extracted tooth, but I don't think that is what has been bothering my jaw and the dentist said I can either have that filled or wait until I have a bridge put in since work would have to be done on that tooth anyway. He was pretty disappointed I ended up having to get the tooth extracted after the root canal, and explained to me that there must have been something wrong with the tooth from the very beginning, most likely a crack, and that all the antibiotics would have never helped with that. (Still not sure how I should feel that they continued to give me script after script after having the root canal done and the infection not leaving, besides the point though.)

I asked if there was any infection or signs of concern showing on the x-ray today and he showed me it and said no, there was nothing there. He said it looked fine, basically refusing to refer me to an oral surgeon because there was no reason to. He wants to give it a couple more weeks and obviously, if I have any more discomfort to come in and see him again.

I live in Ontario and it's difficult if not impossible to get into any type of surgeon without a referral from your doctor or dentist, and leaves us patients waiting for weeks to get into anywhere or just unable to get in because we need that referral, otherwise I would go above everybody and go straight to an oral surgeon. That's the "joy" of a public healthcare system (although dental isn't really included). Anyway, I'm hopeful that after the x-ray and bone scan that my doctor set up for me that it will give me the answers I am looking for, I will be sure to keep this posting updated as I know more.
__________________
Bryanna

***I have been in the dental profession for 4 decades. I am an educator and Certified Dental Assistant extensively experienced in chair side assisting and dental radiography. The information that I provide here is my opinion based on my education and professional experience. It is not meant to be taken as medical advice.***
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Old 12-11-2014, 05:43 PM #6
Pamissotired Pamissotired is offline
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Hi I have a similar problem. I'm so jealous your dr got you a bone scan. Did it show anything? Are you doing okay? My pain has not gone away at all since my extraction I would even say it's worse. Mine was not obviously infected it had a rootcanal done 5 years earlier that at the time was very infected or severely painful. Anyway my pain seems to radiate down my whole cheek is yours like this?

Pam
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Old 12-12-2014, 12:22 AM #7
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Hi Pam,

Just to clarify so others reading your post do not get confused... the tooth that you had extracted had been root canaled 5 years prior to the extraction. The root canal procedure does not cure an infected tooth because as there is no access to the hundreds of tiny canals inside of the tooth that contain dead and infected nerve tissue. So for 5+ years that infected tooth was at minimum causing inflammation in that quadrant of your mouth. Chronic inflammation any place in the body, especially when it is associated with infection, is going to cause further and often long term problems. Removing the infected tooth was the only option you had to give your mouth a chance to heal and become healthy. However, there is no telling the extent of the problems that have occurred over that 5 year span. In addition to all that you've had and according to your most recent post still have a bruxism habit that has not been managed well.

Pam, I know this has been a very difficult situation for you and I know you just want to feel normal. So many people are in your same situation and so many more are yet to experience it because conventional dentistry does not inform people about the long term consequences of retaining root canaled teeth. If they were informed, some people would still opt to have the root canal but then there would be no surprise when problems occurred.

There is no easy solution and it is best to find a dentist who is honest and forthright about root canals so at least he can understand where the problems are stemming from and attempt to treat you accordingly.

Bryanna






Quote:
Originally Posted by Pamissotired View Post
Hi I have a similar problem. I'm so jealous your dr got you a bone scan. Did it show anything? Are you doing okay? My pain has not gone away at all since my extraction I would even say it's worse. Mine was not obviously infected it had a rootcanal done 5 years earlier that at the time was very infected or severely painful. Anyway my pain seems to radiate down my whole cheek is yours like this?

Pam
__________________
Bryanna

***I have been in the dental profession for 4 decades. I am an educator and Certified Dental Assistant extensively experienced in chair side assisting and dental radiography. The information that I provide here is my opinion based on my education and professional experience. It is not meant to be taken as medical advice.***
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Old 02-05-2015, 09:38 PM #8
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Default Update 2

Hi everyone, thanks for listening to all of what's going on with me and all your advice (especially you Bryanna!) So it's been awhile to update but here's what has been going on thus far: I had the bone scan completed near the end of December and the results came back clear with no infection in the bone. I'm unsure if this was a dental bone scan though.

So here I am the beginning of February and I am still experiencing pain and discomfort in that extraction area which was done in October 2014. The symptoms are much the same as before, like a tight heavy feeling in the area and what feels like a small lump right underneath it, it is sore but I think I'm so used to it as this point it's just second nature. At times, it is almost like a numbing feeling. And yes, Pam, for me it is the entire right mandible from the extraction area back that is tender. These feelings are the worst for me in the evenings for whatever reason. One small improvement that I have experienced since December was that I think some of the lymphnodes that were swollen have begun to come down, which I feel is a good sign. When I was at the height of my tooth infection and the whole mess, all the lymphnodes on my jaw and especially the back of my neck were so swollen, it was freaky. I didn't know what they were at first until my doctor explained they flair up when the body is fighting infection, well that made sense.

I'm unfortunately beginning to experience some toothache in the tooth opposite to the one I had extracted, so on my left side second back molar (no wisdom tooth). I'm not saying it has anything to do with the extraction, but I'm getting pretty nervous because it feels quite the darn same the way the other one did before I had the root canal done. It has started to bother me within the last couple days, it's like a bruise hurt almost, then this morning I had my coffee and with it, a bit of sensitivity. So I went in today to see the dentist. I thought I saw a hole/cavity on the side of my filling in that tooth, but she said it was just a stained area. After much thought and reviewing my previous x-rays, she decided to check the bite and it was really high on that side. So she adjusted it and sent me on my way.

I'm actually now in more discomfort than I was before and just plain frustrated at this point. I made an appointment for Saturday with the dentist who did the extraction before this new toothache happened. It was originally just supposed to be so she could take a look at how the extraction she did coming along and if I wanted to still be referred to an oral surgeon, she will do that for me. Now it looks like I'll be asking for her opinion on this new tooth issue as I always felt much better after a bite adjustment, not this much worse. Trying to stay positive and will update if I learn anything new in the next coming weeks!
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