Please help
 

I had my eye tooth pulled almost 1 year ago and it never healed. Today it was throbbing really bad and I started feeling air in the hole so I looked at it and there is a hole where the tooth was extracted. It is driving me crazy I can feel and hear air going in and out of the hole. I do not know what to do. I have had a headache for a week but not sure if its because of this. Can anyone help me with this?

Hi Lin Lin,

The area should have healed completely within a few months from the time the tooth was extracted. That hole may or may not be deep into the bone and it could be into your sinuses.

You may have what is called Osteonecrosis or something similar. This is a condition of the bone that is sometimes caused by a temporary or permanent loss of blood supply in that area during the immediate healing phase of the extraction. This condition is progressive, therefore, it would be wise to see an oral surgeon to rule it out.

People on bisphosphonate drugs like Actonel, Fosamax, Boniva..... have an increased incidence of this condition when they have a tooth extracted because these drugs inhibit the formation of osteoclasts which are the bone cells that naturally break down old or injured bone making room for the osteoblasts which are the bone building cells that heal old or injured bone. Both types of cells are essential for healing any type of bone injury.

Do you take a Bisphosphonate drug by any chance?

Please see an oral surgeon for evaluation....... and keep in touch here.

Bryanna