Question after 4 Months now
 

Hi Bryanna, I haven't been on here in a while. I am doing a little better but still not healed after all the trauma I have gone through. My question is, it has now been 4 months since I had both bone grafts and I still have some redness and some of the bone peeking through the site where the bone graft is. I went in to the oral surgeon two weeks ago and he said everything is fine and we should do the implant. I did not feel ready as I feel like I am still not healed. He said not to wait longer than 2 more months. Should I still have redness in that area? It is not completely healed. I still have some pain sometimes and I also still am having some sinus issues. How long can I wait to do the implant? Thank you!

Hi Angels,

My apologies as I do remember communicating with you many times. But since I don't keep any records on anyone and the fact that I have communicated with so many people here as well as other places about their dental health, I only have my memory to rely on and I cannot remember your specific case off hand. So rather than me look back through the archives, could you please refresh my memory of your dental history? I'm sure with just a BRIEF synopsis outline I will recount your case.

1) Which teeth were removed?
2) Were they root canaled?
3) If upper teeth were the sinuses involved?
4) Are the adjacent teeth to the extracted ones root canaled?
5) What post op problems occurred?

Thanks!
Bryanna

Hi Bryanna,

The teeth that were removed were 14 and 15. Yes they were both root canaled and the roots were infected and in my sinuses. Now I have no more root canal led teeth in my mouth. I am still having sinus issues, I have a lot of slimy clear mucus, especially when I cry, which is every day. It has been 4 months now and I still feel like there is infection left. I have been back at least 4 times to the oral surgeon and he says everything has healed nicely. However, I still have redness and I feel bone in the site of 15, which I had removed November 12. It still feels like there is infection. My nose is still really messed up and my ears are ringing like crazy. I was just wondering if it should take this long to heal? The oral surgeon said that the infection had been there for a while and it was from a bad root canal. Also, how long can I wait to have the implant? I really don't want to do it until it is all healed.
Thank you so much for your help!

Hi Angels,

Okay, yes I think I do remember your situation. You are a flight attendant and was unable to go back to work..?? You were seeing an endodontist, an oral surgeon and an ENT dr. I recommended that they collaborate on your case. Am I remembering correctly?

Just to help clarify possible causes of your valid concerns .... your teeth #14 and 15 were infected for as long, if not before, they were root canaled. The rc procedure does not cure infected teeth. The procedure is done to "retain" unhealthy teeth for an uncertain amount of time. There are no exceptions. Just so you understand.... the duration of the infection pertaining to #14 and 15 has had a profound impact on your oral (mouth and jaw bone) and sinus health. Any long term tooth infection can contribute to other systemic symptoms or health problems. The commonality of your "dental" history and post operative problems is very high as it is literally heard most every day in most every dental office. Unfortunately, most practitioners are reluctant to step on another ones toes and the public has not yet been informed of just how common it is which makes it difficult for the patient to understand what the heck is going on. I've probably explained all of this already... I'm sorry if I am repeating myself.

At 4 months post op the extractions, if the areas are healthy and healing properly and you have no systemic infection from the oral infections:

~~ you should have NO symptoms of a problem in the areas of #14 and 15 ~~ your sinuses should be fine with no discomfort or abnormal discharge what so ever (during crying or not)
~~ the oral sites of #14 and 15 should look pink and healthy with no signs of discoloration, inflammation or feel like there is something abnormal like extra bone, etc.
~~ you should be feeling fine.

I am so sorry to hear that you are crying every day. That really breaks my heart. I know this has been a horrendous experience for you and unfortunately I've witnessed it too many times to count.

To answer your question about the placement of the dental implants. In most cases, you have a year from the extractions of the teeth and placement of bone grafts to do the implants. After that first year, the bone recedes at a faster rate than previously. However, it is never wise to place implants in bone that is unhealthy or in maxillary jaw bone where an acute or chronic sinus infection is suspected.

My questions to you are:

Was it ever determined conclusively that there were no root remnants left in the bone or sinus area? If so, who made that determination and how did they come to that conclusion? Have the dentists and ENT ever collaborated on your case? Would you consider consulting a different oral surgeon?

Bryanna