[iamtreehugger]

Hi all!
I am brand new to this and in need of a little advice. I saw a lot of good information here and thought someone might be able to help.
Last February I had both my upper wisdom teeth removed. I really didn't want them out because they caused no real problem. However, the dentist said they were crowding my teeth and growing out into the sides of my cheek (sometimes cutting into my cheek if I wasn't careful). I regret relenting because I have not been the same since.
Since they weren't impacted there was no surgery. It went fine except the upper left one. The roots went deep. He had some trouble yanking it out and said he had to use some special technique. I was too numb to ask.
When I went home, as soon as the anesthetic wore off I started feeling congested, stuffed up and sick. I assumed I had caught whatever virus my fiance was suffering from at the time. But it got worse and the pain in my sinuses got to the point I thought my head was going to explode. I went back to the dentist. He took a quick look and said I had dry socket in, of course, the upper left cavity. He gave me some of that gelfoam stuff to pack it with and sent me on my way.
The pain in my mouth decreased but my sickness persisted. The congestion turned to coughing, fevers, and I even passed out a time or two. So I went to a doctor. I was diagnosed with acute bronchitis and given some steroids. Nothing changed so I went back and they gave me more steroids and a breathing treatment. I will say here that I have no medical insurance and went to an urgent care center where there was no examination except for a taking of the temperature and a look down my throat.
Eventually the coughing went away, the fever as well. But every day since I wake up with a sore throat and mild congestion. I'm still coughing icky things up. And there isn't a day that goes by that I don't have a sinus headache. I'm 26 years old and it just doesn't seem normal, especially since I didn't have this problem before. I know I should just go see a doctor but the last experience wasn't helpful or pleasant. And I don't know if maybe I'm making more of this than what it is.
Is it possible the roots went too deep and caused a mouth-sinus hole that was never treated? Wouldn't the dentist have seen that? Should I just get over it and continue to live with it?
I appreciate any advice and apologize for the drawn out story here.

-GA

[Bryanna]

Hi GA,

I'm sorry you are dealing with this constant sickness. First let me clarify a few things so you and other readers can become better informed.

More times than not, wisdom teeth DO attribute to other dental problems and having them removed is often the best way to prevent these other problems. We often cannot get a good look at our wisdom teeth or understand how they could be a problem if the only symptoms we are having with them are minor and just a bit annoying. These subtle symptoms are often a sign that something more extensive is going to occur down the road. Wisdom teeth that are erupted but are in a crooked position or they are way in the back of our mouths are difficult if not impossible to keep clean. So again, subtle symptoms unable to see the build up of bacteria..... problems in the future.

Also, I just want to point out that ALL tooth extractions are surgery. If a tooth comes out easily, the surgery is said to be uncomplicated. Anything other than easy, indicates a complication and more surgery is performed.

To continue to have upper respiratory problems a year after the extraction probably indicates a correlation with the oral surgery. It is possible that there is an infection in the jaw bone on the upper left side that has invaded your sinuses. This would cause chronic upper respiratory infections and medications are not going to eradicate the infection.

I would not continue to just live with this... it's not going to get better. I would suggest to see an oral surgeon for an evaluation and have a panorex x-ray done.... possibly a sinus ct scan as well. Your medical dr may not make the correlation and just keep giving you steroids which only suppress your immune system making the situation more complicated. A general dentist also may not handle this situation correctly... so an oral surgeon is your best bet.

Bryanna

Originally Posted by iamtreehugger

Hi all!
I am brand new to this and in need of a little advice. I saw a lot of good information here and thought someone might be able to help.
Last February I had both my upper wisdom teeth removed. I really didn't want them out because they caused no real problem. However, the dentist said they were crowding my teeth and growing out into the sides of my cheek (sometimes cutting into my cheek if I wasn't careful). I regret relenting because I have not been the same since.
Since they weren't impacted there was no surgery. It went fine except the upper left one. The roots went deep. He had some trouble yanking it out and said he had to use some special technique. I was too numb to ask.
When I went home, as soon as the anesthetic wore off I started feeling congested, stuffed up and sick. I assumed I had caught whatever virus my fiance was suffering from at the time. But it got worse and the pain in my sinuses got to the point I thought my head was going to explode. I went back to the dentist. He took a quick look and said I had dry socket in, of course, the upper left cavity. He gave me some of that gelfoam stuff to pack it with and sent me on my way.
The pain in my mouth decreased but my sickness persisted. The congestion turned to coughing, fevers, and I even passed out a time or two. So I went to a doctor. I was diagnosed with acute bronchitis and given some steroids. Nothing changed so I went back and they gave me more steroids and a breathing treatment. I will say here that I have no medical insurance and went to an urgent care center where there was no examination except for a taking of the temperature and a look down my throat.
Eventually the coughing went away, the fever as well. But every day since I wake up with a sore throat and mild congestion. I'm still coughing icky things up. And there isn't a day that goes by that I don't have a sinus headache. I'm 26 years old and it just doesn't seem normal, especially since I didn't have this problem before. I know I should just go see a doctor but the last experience wasn't helpful or pleasant. And I don't know if maybe I'm making more of this than what it is.
Is it possible the roots went too deep and caused a mouth-sinus hole that was never treated? Wouldn't the dentist have seen that? Should I just get over it and continue to live with it?
I appreciate any advice and apologize for the drawn out story here.

-GA

[ginnie]

Welcome to Neuro Talk. You have found a great site with a lot of good people and information. I have talked to Bryanna before, and I know for sure that she knows what she is talking about. I have taken her advice more than once, and it saved me a lot of trouble. I would do exactly what she said to do. It does sound like you need an evaluation by the oral surgeon, to really look at what is going on in that site of extraction. After a year you should not be sick, and going on like that must horrible. Find a good reputable oral surgeon, and I know you will do alot better. I do wish you all the best. Take care of yourself, and come back here any time you need to talk or need advice. NT will be here for you. ginnie