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?

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?