Good Morning - I had a 2nd molar pulled which resulted in an oro antral communication. It has been six weeks, and the oral surgeon tested the other day and told me that it is closing from the inside out. I am supposed to go to an event next weekend which would entail driving through some moderate elevation (1800-2000 ft) areas. Do you think that this is something that could cause it to reopen. I should have asked the surgeon, but forgot. Now he is on vacation. Any experience with this? Thanks very much.

Hi Gypsy,

I don't think it should be a problem as far as making the sinus communication painful or larger. I think it would behoove you to stay well hydrated with water. You may have to pee more often, but staying hydrated helps to prevent the nasal passage from getting too dry which keeps the sinus from becoming too dry. Drinking water throughout the ride, rather than a lot all at once, would be helpful.

Without question, I would avoid smoking or being around smoke as that will irritate the sinus passages and could cause a delay in the healing.

Hope that info helps... have a safe trip!

Bryanna

Thanks very much Bryanna. I appreciate your input!

I had posted a while back my oro antral communication healed. About a month later I began having pressure on that side of the roof of my mouth - a lot of pressure. It throbs and sometimes will go on all day. Then it gets better, and I may feel nothing. Also, my tongue feels scalded. I have been back to the oral surgeon and he is having some issues diagnosing this and has been working with my general dentist. I do clench my teeth in my sleep (I have a mouth guard), wondering if this has anything to do with it. Has anyone heard of this and have any experience.

Hi Gypsy,

Do you have any teeth in that quadrant of your mouth that are root canaled? Or that have large restorations or crowns?

When you saw the oral surgeon, did he take xrays or a panorex xray? Did he say if the OAC had closed or not? Did he remark about your sinuses at all?

Did he tap on the biting surface of the remaining teeth in that quadrant?

Do you have sinus problems, congestion, pressure, allergies?

Do you take an antihistamine frequently?

Has your general dentist checked your bite to see if your occlusion is not lined up? The occlusion should be checked with the patient lying down in the chair AND then with the patient sitting upright in the chair. Not just lying down.

How old is your mouth guard, was it made in a dental lab?

Are you aware if you clench your teeth during the day? Many night clenchers are unaware that they clench during the day. If your occlusion is lined up properly, then you need to seek ways other than dentistry to help reduce the clenching habit which is often stress related. Acupuncture, meditation, yoga, tapping, and other mind/body/spirit therapies can be helpful.

There is a condition called Burning Mouth Syndrome in which the tongue might feel scalded. Some of the reasons for BMS are: geographic tongue which can cause a dry mouth and the tongue may feel scalded or sore; thrush which is an oral yeast infection; diabetes; lupus; allergy or sensitivity to an ingredient in toothpaste like triclosan, sodium laurel sulfate, a bleaching agent, a preservative; any medications that can contribute to dry mouth can make it feel like the tongue is burning. It is important to take a look at all of those things and eliminate their possibilities with certainty.

A brief list of meds that can contribute to dry mouth. When taken frequently they will cause dry mouth. Taken from a quick google search:
** drugs that treat depression, high blood pressure and anxiety, as well as some antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants and pain medications.

I hope you are able to get to the root cause of these symptoms and remedy them quickly.

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna

I have had the Panoramic X-ray. I have a large filling in my 1st molar. Both the dentist and oral surgeon tapped on the other teeth with no result. The OAC is closed and my sinus are clear. I don’t have any sinus issues. I do have another implant in the same area.

The dentist checked my bite sitting up. Not lying down though. My mouth guard is about six months old, made in dental lab.

I tried acupuncture with no luck. Used to do yoga- I will try that again. I don’t clench during the day but I do seem to hold my mouth in a weird position ( due to trying not to clench). I do not take any meds. The burning tongue is very weird. I’ll research the oral yeast infection.

I noticed over the weekend that if I put pressure on one of my front teeth, it brings up symptoms. Wondering if something is going on with that tooth. Going to run it by oral surgeon next week.

Thanks very much for your input!

Gypsy,

The symptoms you get when you put pressure on your front tooth may indicate a problem with that tooth or it could indicate that you are clenching and/or grinding your teeth more than you realize. It is common for someone with that habit to have that occur with a front tooth because the tooth gets beat up when you brux and the periodontal ligament becomes inflamed.

Bryanna


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