Oh and I should add he didn't drain whatever this thing is because he said he didn't want to use local anesthetic or put me under, so I still have the lump. Does this mean I'm going to have to get it drained at some point?

Hi kmd,

In your original post you stated:

<< Immediately after surgery and ever since, I have had numbness of my lip/ chin area (including the teeth and gums in that area). I've had pain varying from constant, dull throbbing to excruciating, stabbing pain that usually lasts around 10 min (I think these are "zingers"). I have not been able to chew or open my mouth fully since surgery.>>

In your recent post, aside from the numbness, you mention that things were pretty much okay until the 3rd week of healing.

Either way, there is an abnormality going on and it needs to be evaluated asap. I am not so sure that the covering OS for the OS who performed your surgery is going to be all that informative with you as he might not want to step on his colleagues toes. But it's worth a try. I personally would suggest that you see an OS in a different town, one who has no affiliation with the OS that did the extraction. When you call for the appointment do not give a lot of detailed information. Just say you are seeking a consultation with the OS about a swelling in your lower jaw. If she asks if the tooth is still present, tell her no. Avoid sharing all that has happened with the receptionist as much as possible. It is imperative that you obtain your pre op xrays of that area and the surgical report of the actual procedure and type of graft material that was used and take all of that to whomever you see.

Only rinse 3 times a day with warm salt water. There is no need to do it more than that. Do not eat on that side of your mouth, avoid spicy and very hot foods, avoid chewy foods and anything with seeds in it.

It sounds to me like you may have a dry socket and possible infection. If that is the case, then the bone graft may need to be removed. You could also have some nerve trauma there but the possibility of a dry socket and infection needs to be rules out first. Otherwise you are going to be misdiagnosed and mistreated for something you do not have.

No more tea bags on the site. They are only good immediately after the extraction when the wound bleeds excessively. Otherwise the tannin in the tea will dry out the socket.

I hope you get in to see someone soon. Please keep us posted.
Bryanna

The lump you mention could be any number of things. It needs to be evaluated and properly diagnosed and treated.

Bryanna

Sorry, one more thing! The OS I saw today just called to see how I was doing and mentioned if the antibiotics don't work, I may need to have a conversation with my current OS about debridement. What all would this entail? I mean, I understand it's wound care, but that's about all I know.

You really need to find a lawyer who will guide you to an oral surgeon in another town. Jeez has the original OS bothered to call at all?

Hi Cleo! No, I haven't heard from my original OS since Sunday when we corresponded via email and he told me to give it another couple of days. I think he may be out of town. One positive is I am feeling a lot less pain, not sure if it has to do with the addition of the steroid (I don't think it would work that fast, but I don't really know), or cleaning out the wound (I'm still washing pieces of bone graft out - pretty gross), or from the attempt at draining it earlier today, but whatever it is, I'll take it. Hopefully the numbness will go away soon, too. I haven't had any more nerve pain since early yesterday morning, not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

I'm supposed to follow up with my original OS on Monday and I want to try to get some answers, and if this persists any further, I'm definitely going elsewhere. I actually think if it starts to bother me again, I may just go to the ER, see if they will do some cultures and blood tests, and then refer me to another OS. Hopefully it won't come to that, though.

There are no blood tests or cultures for this. An xray would be a good idea though! I'm glad to hear you feel better at the moment but if it is not better by morning call the OS you saw today!

Bryanna, How common is immediate bone grafting with third molar extraction?

Well another night with no sleep. The OS yesterday did do an x-ray, but I didn't get to see it to look for anything, and he didn't talk to me about it. This lump, whatever it is, is causing me so much pain, it's unreal. I'm going to call around again today and see if I can find someone that will do something about this because I can't keep running on no sleep and ibuprofen.

kmd,

With each of your posts you add different information that you neglected to mention in previous posts. So at this point I am confused as to what exactly you have been experiencing and at what intervals. I am also confused as to what you personally have been doing to the extraction site from the time the tooth was removed.

All too often, a dental patient will do things and use things that they think will help heal the surgical site and the end result is one complication after another. I am not sure if this is what has happened in your case or not because it is still not clear to me what has really taken place.

The original OS seems to be not all that concerned about your symptoms, which is unusual given the type of symptoms that you have stated here. At one point you say he's on vacation and you're scheduled with his referring dentist but then you say you only think he may be away. So I am confused as to who you are seeing, contacting ...., etc.

I wish I could help you but the information you keep providing keeps making this a larger puzzle than it needs to be and it's difficult to sort through. I hope you get in to see an OS and get a definitive diagnosis.

Bryanna