Sinus perforation, after upper molar removal.
 

The pain started about a week before i got the tooth removed. My nose had a deep burning pain right above my teeth, and there was also pain in my teeth. The pain always happened at the same time. I went to the dentist and he said there was probably roots from my tooth into my sinus, i went to 3 different dentists and none of them would pull it out because of the sinus problem. they recommended me to a dentist who didn't mind pulling it out. He got it out in about 2 or 3 minutes. the pain was really bad afterwards and it bl;ed for about 6 hours, i called them back and they gave me antibiotics. About 2 weeks later there was still alot of pain in my mouth and my nose, my eye would swell shut and start leaking randomally. Along with my cheek swelling and tons of nasal drip. It would go away for about 2 or 3 days. Making me think it finally healed. BUt it came back again with the same problems lots of swelling and pain, and eye plus nasal drip. The whole while I had been on 3 different antibiotics because they thought it just kept getting infected. I got a blood test done to make sure there wasnt any serious infections, it came back good. Then they told me to get a ct scan of my mouth and nasal cavity, it came back normal. So now its been like a month and a half since the extraction, All of the same symptoms remain. my dr has no idea what to do next or what my problem could be, I have asked a couple dentists and dr's. I have an appt with an ENT in a few weeks (soonest they could get me in). I wake up multiple times throughout the night in pain and my face hot and swollen. Please if any of you could tell me your suggestions or what you might think is happening I would greatly appreciate it. I really need help.

Hi Dankham,

I am in the dental field and can try to help you but first a few questions come to mind.....

Was the extracted tooth previously root canaled? How long ago? Did it have a post and crown on it?

Did the dentist who extracted the tooth tell you there was sinus perforation?

Did that dentist thoroughly scrape the socket after he removed the tooth?

Did you have sinus problems prior to the extraction?

Are either of the adjacent teeth root canaled?

Do you have periodontal disease?

Do you smoke or rinse with any mouthwash?

Bryanna

Was the extracted tooth previously root canaled? How long ago? Did it have a post and crown on it? No it wasn't a problem tooth until then.

Did the dentist who extracted the tooth tell you there was sinus perforation?
yes he did say there a perforation.

no he didnt scrape the hole out very well.


No prior sinus problems

i have never had a root canal done.

no peridontal disease

No smoking and i rinse with salt water lately

Hi Dankham,

Thank you for replying to my questions.

I assume the tooth was removed because it was badly decayed... and/or severely broken and infected.

Based on that assumption, most likely the bacteria from the tooth had spread to the bone around the tooth and quite possibly into the sinus area. When this occurs, the surgeon has to be very thorough with not only removing the tooth but with cleaning out the socket. Any visible infected tissue and bone needs to be scraped out as completely as possible. Frequently the sinus will also need to be cleaned up and irrigated thoroughly with saline before the surgical site is sutured closed.

If these steps were not taken by the surgeon, then the bone and sinus would still be infected. In these cases antibiotics can subside some of the inflammation and lower the bacteria count but very often they cannot cure this type of infection because it needs to be physically removed.

Your symptoms do indicate an infection may be present. Hopefully the ENT dr will be able to help you. I would try to get in to see him sooner if at all possible. Also, make sure to tell him that the dentist only took 2-3 minutes to remove the tooth and did not scrape the socket very much.

In the meantime, continue with the salt water rinses 3-4 times a day and drink several glasses of filtered water every day to help remove the toxins from the infection that filter through your kidneys. Supplementing with powdered buffered vitamin C (2-4 times a day) and a probiotic capsule daily would be helpful for your overall health especially during this time. In the evening before you go to sleep, you could try placing a very warm, moist washcloth over that side of your face (cover it with a dry cloth to keep the heat in) for about 10 minutes as this may help reduce the congestion from the inflammation. You could also try sleeping on 2 pillows so your head is not lying flat. These things may help to give you a better nights sleep.

Do not rinse with any mouthwash, just the salt water. Mouthwash contains harmful chemicals that have no therapeutic benefit and are irritating to the oral tissue.

I hope you get relief soon. Please do try to get into the ENT as soon as you can.

Keep us posted.
Bryanna