Hello,

I had my bottom right wisdom tooth removed Tuesday. Actually, the roots had to be left in because the dentist couldn't get them out I guess. I've been in a lot of pain. I thought I was being a huge wimp because I am still hurting 5 days later. I was curious and was looking in my mouth yesterday with a flashlight and mirror. I shocked myself when I pushed the back of my inner cheek out and saw nasty green and yellow where the tooth was. It looks like something found on Google images. I immediately started shaking and became very frightened. I had no idea the pain had turned into pain from an infection. I've had pain in my cheek and lower jaw and my teeth have been sensitive. I'm really worried the infection has traveled into the roots of my bottom teeth. I can also taste the infection. I get a horrible taste in my mouth every few minutes. It's disgusting!! I immediately when to urgent care, due to my dentist office being closed on a Saturday. The doctor confirmed an infection of course and prescribed an antibiotic.

So now here I am, seething in anger that this happened in the first place. I've never had dental work done except annual cleanings, so I haven't had experience before with oral surgery. My dentist did not tell me or my husband that I should have been rinsing with salt water or tell us any other post care instructions. This horrible infection might have been prevented had I known what I should have been doing to better care for it.

My point posting here, is now that I have started antibiotics, is there anything else that can be done for the infection? Should I go ahead and call the dentist and try to be seen by them? I'm worried they are going to tell me since I'm on antibiotics now, that's all I can do. I feel like more can be done. I feel so gross knowing what is in my mouth and wish they could help me clean it. Am I doing all that can be done now? What can I expect when I call the dentist tomorrow morning? Thank you for any and all advice!!

Hi drum_stix,

I'm sorry you are having so much pain with this infection. It sounds like it's pretty severe. Because the roots that were left in the jaw are contributing to the infection, leaving them in there will cause bacteria to keep accumulating and the infection will never really go away. So you are right in that something else in addition to the antibiotics needs to be done.

The type of dental specialist who is specifically trained to remove root tips is called an oral surgeon. It would be wise to see an oral surgeon asap while you are on the antibiotics.

I hope this problem gets resolved soon and you start to feel better.

Thank you Bryanna,
I spoke to the dentist receptionist who took my number and said I would receive a call back. I haven't got that call back yet. I'm frustrated but I understand they are very busy! My question now is, should I be concerned if they tell me to not bother coming in? To just wait and see how the antibiotics work? I'm not a doctor by any means but really feel like this infection needs to be seen by a professional and am a little concerned that they may not want to look at it at all. I suppose though that antibiotics may be all that can be done, regardless of actually being seen... but it still worries me. What are your thoughts? Thanks again!

Hi drum_stix,

Antibiotics can only temporarily subside the symptoms because the infection is not going to go away as long as the root tips are there. An example would be.... you a get large splinter in your hand and as you try to remove it, some pieces break off and you push them further into the skin. Dr gives you antibiotics.... the soreness subsides so you leave it. One day out of the blue, your hand hurts, it's red and swollen. What do you think it could be?

Did you see an oral surgeon or a general dentist for the extraction of that tooth? It really would be best to see an oral surgeon for the removal of the root tips as they are more experienced in that type of oral surgery. If it was an oral surgeon that removed the tooth and left the root tips, then for obvious reasons, please see a different oral surgeon.

Please check back to let us know how you are doing.

Bryanna, I saw a general dentist. She had xrays taken first to make sure she would be able to extract the tooth and if not, she would have sent me to an oral surgeon. I had to call the office back to find out what they want me to do and spoke to the receptionist again. She confirmed that the dentist just wants me to take the antibiotics and call them if the problem continues after those are all gone. I am very frustrated and a little hurt that the dentist didn't seem to take my condition seriously. I've been peeking at the infection each morning to see how it's doing. This is day 3 and there may be some improvement, but very little. It is still very green and has been giving me an extremely foul taste all yesterday and this morning so far. I've taken to carrying a cup with me to spit into. My pain level has lessoned some, though I am still needing to take my pain medication. Thanks again Bryanna for your quick replies and advice!

Drum_stix,

Retained root tips can cause chronic infection and cysts to form in the jaw bone around the pieces of tooth. They can also cause various forms of osteitis or osteomyelitis all of which are chronic progressive bone disorders that cause the bone to deteriorate.

As I mentioned previously, general dentists have limited training in oral surgery as their majority of education emphasizes restorative dentistry not surgery. A dentist who goes on to become an oral surgery goes through a multi year rigorous surgical program and then does nothing other than oral surgery in his personal practice.

Perhaps your dentist is embarrassed that she was unable to complete the extraction and realizes she cannot further assist you but doesn't want to look bad to a colleague. In that case, she is probably hoping you will just go to an oral surgeon on your own so she doesn't have to make that contact with him herself.

The meds may temporarily subside the symptoms but they cannot cure or prevent the proliferation of the bacteria because the source of the problem is still present. So unfortunately in this case a reduction in pain is not an indication that the problem is resolved.

I hope you will consider the information I have provided you here and consult with an oral surgeon soon.

Take care.......

Hi Bryanna,
I tried to get into two different oral surgeons and both are not only booked through till June, but won't see me to take over my care because the tooth was extracted by another dentist. The receptionists I spoke to said I'd have to see my regular family doctor or go back to the dentist who performed the surgery. They said it is a liability issue to take over when something is already wrong. I was very bummed. So I went ahead and made an appointment for this afternoon to follow up with the original dentist. May give me a chance to give her a piece of my mind... :/ Thank you Bryanna for all of your advice!

drum_stix,

If you live in the US you can go to any oral surgeon of your choice, you do not need a referral from another dentist. As far as the legal issue goes about treating you since you have had work done by another dentist, there is no legal means by which an oral surgeon can refuse to treat you due to your initial extraction being done by another dentist. So whoever is telling you that, is mistaken.

I am not saying that you did this but....if when you spoke to either of those offices you made any mention or gave any impression that you were angry with your previous dentist and that you think she did a bad job, then the receptionist would be reluctant to give you an appointment because nobody wants to end up in the middle of a problem. You have every right to be upset with your dentist, but be careful not to carry that demeanor with you elsewhere because her peers are not going to want to give you the impression that they are fixing her mistake. I hope I have explained that carefully enough to not upset you.

Your general dentist is going to be reluctant to do this surgery as she is not experienced at performing it. My suggestion would be to call an oral surgery office and schedule a consultation about removing a retained root tip for the placement of a dental implant. That way you are not giving the impression that you are angry with anyone and you will be dealt with more positively. You never have to go forward with the implant, that is up to you. The main goal is to have the root tips removed properly.