Recent bone graft of absessed tooth w/1 next to it. Will it heal?
 

I had a bone graft of 2 lower left molars several months ago with no problems.
However, 2 weeks ago I had an absessed tooth extracted and bone graft material put in, on top of that the molar next to it is infected and scheduled to come out tomorrow afternoon. These are on my lower right.
My worry and question(s); 1. Can a bone graft work if it had come out of an infected area. 2. Will a bone graft work with an ongoing infection in the next tooth? 3. Should the Dentist have even performed an extraction and bone graft knowing that both were infected?
The bone graft done several months ago didn't look ANYTHING like this one! The stitches dissolved but there is NO uniformity on or around the gums. I try to clean under the infected one but it bleeds at the slightest touch.
After the extraction and graft, the gums were very inflamed and tender and in a week the puffiness went down. However, the puffiness is back, the gums at the site range from yellow to grayish red to pale red to regular red to bruised red! Is all this normal, or do I have cause to worry? God bless and thank you!
P.S. I'm a newbie!

Hi rchilt,

I apologize for not getting to your inquiry. I am a volunteer here and my available time is limited. Your case is a bit complicated but I will address it, hopefully tomorrow.

Question... is the area still puffy? What color is the gum tissue? Any chance you could post a photo of the area??

Bryanna

Hi rchlit,

I am going to re post some of your thread and answer underneath your question.

< Can a bone graft work if it had come out of an infected area.>>

I assume you mean .... can a bone graft work if it was placed in an infected area? Based on that assumption the answer is it depends. It is not ideal to do bone grafting in a non sterile and/or infected site. Ideally the site should be thoroughly debrided of all visible infected tissue and bone and if there is any suspicion of residual infection still lurking in the site, then consider prescribing antibiotics and holding off on the graft for a few weeks or so.

<<2. Will a bone graft work with an ongoing infection in the next tooth?>>

There is a logical chance that the infection from the adjacent tooth will infect or at minimum compromise the bone graft. The same rules apply as in my answer to your first question.

<< 3. Should the Dentist have even performed an extraction and bone graft knowing that both were infected?>>

Well.... refer back to my answer in #1. If both teeth next to each need to be removed due to infection, why remove one and not the other? Why perform two separate surgeries risking contamination of both sites?

By now you've had the other tooth out? What is your current status regarding everything considered?

It has resolved...finally
 

Thank you Bryanna for answering. I've been trying to reply but I'm not getting anywhere. I hope this one makes it.
I too apologize for not getting back to you sooner. Other health issues, related or not(?) were more pressing.
I want to say thank you and Merry Christmas, YOU are a gift to many of us:grouphug: here who would otherwise have nowhere to turn.
My situation has resolved in the last 2 days. I would be able to fill a moderate sized paperback with all that has been happening but your time is important.
I do have one question and comment tho; Have you ever heard of Dental problems affecting Peripheral Neuropathy? I suffer from P.N. in both feet
I have P.N. bad in my right leg/foot and when the Dentist put me on Augmentin my P.N. was incredibly improved. I've since been on 3 other Antibiotics to no avail. I went back on Augmentin and the P.N. improved AGAIN.
Also when the Dentist pulled the tooth finally, I got feeling back in my right foot, which only lasted a day or so, but I hadn't had feeling in almost 2 years!
My Pain Management Dr. is researching 'Clavulanic Acid' as that is the odd-ball-out as far as ingredients
Again, thank you so much and I pray you have a Merry Christmas!

Hi rchilt,

Glad to hear that your mouth is feeling better.

Regarding your question about PN in your feet and a possible correlation between your teeth and the PN. Ancient Chinese medicine used (still in use to this day) a a tooth and organ meridian chart as part of their diagnosis as they believe the teeth are intricately connected to the rest of the body. I personally have found this chart to be remarkably accurate many times within my professional setting. I am attaching a link to this chart for you to look over. Keep in mind that the teeth in each quadrant feed off of the same nerve meridians. Therefore the connection to specific organs or areas of the body are shared by all of the teeth in that specific quadrant.

http://www.preventionandhealing.com/...hart8.5x11.pdf

It is not uncommon for people to have relief from nerve pain or certain types of arthritic pain during the course of some antibiotics. There are several theories about this but two of them are: 1) antibiotics temporarily reduce inflammation and target areas of infectious bacteria 2) some types of nerve pain can be caused by infection.

It's important to know that inflammation and infection does not have to originate at the site of the pain. The root cause of the pain can be in an area of the body that is intricately connected to the areas that are being affected. For example.... one symptom of a heart attack is radiating pain in the lower jaw or pain down the left arm. Yet it is the heart muscle that is directly affected. Symptoms of a stroke.... slurred speech, blurred vision, loss of sensation down one side of the body, etc. So when you think about things like that, the tooth and organ chart makes sense!

Your thoughts?
Bryanna

Thank you Bryanna for the chart. It gives me a starting point to expand upon to find answers my family M.D. may not be aware of. What I am still curious about is, why would Augmentin work on P.N. and not the 3, now 4, others? And I tried it twice, a month apart each time?
Chinese Medicine has interested me for about 30 years, tho not during the whole time nor agreeing to every theory/idea, as I am sceptical by my nature, even towards western medicine.
I recently discussed this with a friend who performs foot massages and acupressure. You are both like minded as you both had very similar responses to my query.
I will be looking more into Chinese medicine now as I see other 'flags' in the chart that have a direct correlation to other physical issues I am currently dealing with.
Out of 5 kids in my family, I am the one born with so many health issues that I am at a loss to understand it all. I am also a twin. And at just over 50 y.o., I've had over 30 surgeries, 75%+ have been congenital! Haha, My family M.D. calls me a "Walking Physical Anomaly"!
I have much research ahead of me.
Thank you Bryanna. God bless and Merry Christmas:)

Rchilt, you are welcome.

Regarding your question about the antibiotic.... As you may already know, Augmentin is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Perhaps this combo temporarily reduces your immune systems reaction to not just the symptoms of PN but it's root cause ..?

You have certainly endured quite a lot with having all of those surgeries and the frequency of the congenital connection is interesting. Just curious... have you or your siblings done any genetic testing?

Regarding your skepticism.... I can appreciate and relate to that as I have to understand it or see it to believe it. I refer to myself as a Skeptical Optimist! As a critical thinker, I keep questioning until I find clarity .... but at the same time I always believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Please look into the Chinese medicine or even Integrative health care offered by a Functional Medicine Physician. Unfortunately, conventional medical care is really just about "sick care" as it relies solely on the teachings of offering a combo of drugs and/or surgery rather than whole body wellness. If you are curious, check out this link to learn a bit about Functional Medicine.
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/about/whatisfm/

Have a good week.... and Happy Holidays!!
Bryanna

I'm trying to post photos but...
 

Hello again Bryanna:)
I thank you for the 'Functional Medicine' site, it is just what I was hoping to come across.
I may have prematurely believed that my teeth have healed. I am including 2 or 3 photos. The first is when the Dentist pulled #30 and put graft material. You can see #31 molar as it was not yet pulled. All looks ok so far.
The next 1-2 shows both teeth are gone and the surface is very uneven. There is also a white-ish looking-mound shaped-gum tissue that is soft to light touch. Behind it is the hole left by the extraction of #31.
That molar was extracted on Tuesday, Dec. 15 and the stitches came loose beginning on the 17th and came OUT on the 19th.
The area is still VERY tender and if I do not take something for the pain it turns into moderate to severe throbbing. (Photos 2-3 were taken a few minutes ago & I will be calling the Dentist as soon as I send this off to you.
I've read and understand your disclaimer. My fear is that because I am low income and need to settle for the services they offer, I may fall between the cracks of decent medical care.
I tried to get the best pictures possible so that you could see what I see.
Btw, there is still a smell/taste that I get upon waking, not sure if it is related.
Thank you again, God bless and Merry Christmas!
P.S. This sit will not allow me to post images:(

Hello rchilt,

You should be able to post them as Attachments.

Here's some information from the FAQ that may help.

FAQ - Attachments

rchilt,

See Lara's post to you and try and attach the photos as attachments ;)

Bryanna