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My dentist is putting aside extra time to try to fix it with just a filling. She feels it's possible if she does some of it manually and uses low speed drilling rather than the high speed drill. I hope so because I'm sure as heck not ready psychologically for another extraction after this last one.

BTW, Thank you. I would have replied sooner but for some reason I wasn't notified (or didn't see it) by email of this post.

Several months later....
 

Hi Bryanna

I wanted to have a chat about what has happened since my wisdom tooth extraction. Both my dentist and the surgeon say it has all healed extremely well and there should be no problems. However, I have continued to have pain in the No 6 tooth area and all down the side of my face. (Which was the reason I went to the dental hospital in the first place)

Another x-ray shows both of the molars next to the extracted wisdom tooth (which includes No 6) have roots into the sinus cavity. But although an MRI showed some evidence of inflammation, I have been told there is nothing to be concerned about.

It seems its ok for the professionals to say there is nothing to worry about, but I live with discomfort down that side of my face, into the tooth roots. It hurts more when I floss and I have pressure pain when driving in hilly areas (and I haven't dared fly for a couple of years)!!

The dental surgeons say its a sinus issue and to go back to ENT, as it must be referred pain, but ENT say it must be teeth related as they can't see anything major. I can't believe its nothing to do with my teeth, as I get more pain when flossing...

I am at a loss now, as I really feel like having those 2 upper teeth out in the hope that the pain will go away.

Sorry for going on, just wanted to off-load.

Thanks

Lynne

Hi Lynne,

Obviously there is something wrong. Whether it is tooth related, sinus related or both..... I cannot tell you. Your symptoms mimic sinus more so than teeth. However, pain upon flossing indicates oral inflammation.

Do the gums bleed when you floss? Does the floss get stuck in the area where it hurts to floss? Are the gums puffy? Does the pain with flossing linger or cause any throbbing? Are you aggressively flossing or brushing in this area? Are you putting anything else on that area... like peroxide, alcohol, mouthwash... anything?

Bryanna

Thank you for replying Bryanna :hug:

No, I don't get any bleeding when flossing, nor does the floss get stuck. I do get some gum inflammation above No 6 though. Not using anything else at all in that area, apart from my usual toothpaste.

Lynne

Lynney,

When you say tooth #6 which tooth are you referring to? In the universal code system tooth #6 is the upper right canine/eye tooth.

Is tooth #6 root canaled?

Bryanna

Oh dear, I just thought that was what my dentist had said, but that doesn't sound right at all now so I must have been mistaken... (so sorry) :confused:
There was the wisdom tooth, then another molar then this one (which is 2nd back from the eye tooth)
No root canal.

Lynne

Lynney,

No problem. Some dentists use a different tooth numbering system. I just asked to clarify which tooth it was ;)

So it is a first molar and it is not root canaled.
Does it have a large filling or a crown on it?
Also refresh my memory.... is this tooth an upper or lower and on your left or right?

Bryanna

This is an upper tooth (root into the sinus cavity). Left side.
It had previously had a large filling and a hairline crack developed, so an inlay (overlay) has been put on - not a full crown.
Lynne

Lynne,

Thanks for clarifying. I sometimes forget all of the incidentals with each case and don't want to go back and re read everything.

I am wondering if the crack has deepened and/or gotten larger? If that were to occur, bacteria would initially encase the cracked portion of the tooth and that would cause inflammation on the gum as well as internally. Unfortunately this would lead to infection in the tooth. But it may be slowly developing.

It can be very difficult if not impossible to diagnose a cracked or fractured tooth unless the crack was blatantly visible or obvious on an x-ray. Has anyone mentioned this possibility to you?

Bryanna

Thanks Bryanna. No, no-one mentioned this possibility.... I was told that the tooth appeared healthy on the recent x-ray. Its difficult to know what to do for the best now.
Lynne