Damage to teeth

I'm pretty p*ssed off right now. I went to the dentist yesterday thinking I'd cracked my 2nd molar, and he took X rays and all but they were inconclusive. I got my wisdom teeth out a month ago (and got a lovely case of dry socket), it was a really difficult extraction, unexpectedly (the dentist had told me I'd be in and out). I was just happy that it seemed to finally be healing and that I could eat again, until something cracked when I was eating my dinner on Weds night.

The dentist I saw yesterday said the gum is healing badly, I have an infection and there is probably some damage to the second molar, worst case scenario I could end up losing it. I am really upset about this, as I've already lost the second molar on the other side (had to come out because the wisdom tooth next to it was too close to the nerve to take out and the 2nd molar was badly decaying due to the position of the wisdom tooth). I look after my teeth really well, never had a filling, I can't believe everything is so bad. He did say it should probably be OK, but might well need a root canal or surgery to remove bone from the jaw socket. Has this ever happened to anyone else? I'm just so upset about the possibility of losing the tooth! It was supposed to be a simple wisdom tooth extraction

georgieporgy

was the second molar damaged during the extraction of the wisdom tooth? I realise you said in another thread that a piece broke off last week- but it may have been damaged during the difficult extraction. Leaving impacted wisdom in place for many years often results in loss of bone just at the back of the second molar. This leaves you with a 'naked' root when the wisdom tooth is finally removed.. Usually somewhat painful but not always. Provided there is no decay there is a good chance things settle down eventually. If you are not in pain now, that is a good sign. The ones I end up doing root canal/crown on usually have decay deep down that naked root caused by the impacted wisdom tooth.
The lesson from this is if wisdom teeth need to go it should be done early in life (age16-20) to minimise the bone loss on the tooth in front.

I didn't notice any damage but I wouldn't be surprised. She was bashing all my teeth trying to get the 3rd molar out. The dentist here didn't seem to know if the 2nd molar was damaged or not. It IS sore, but nothing like the pain I was in a few weeks ago. I just notice it when I eat. As I said, it was all grand until I heard that crack, so we still need to establish what the crack was.

As for leaving the teeth in, I did that following the dentist's advice. I got my upper wisdom teeth out when I was 21 (I'm 24 now), and was told the lower ones should then grow up. They wanted to wait because they were both sitting right on the nerve and the risk of nerve damage was very high. The left one grew up a bit but the right one didn't and is still in. I was between a rock and a hard place I guess. I suppose I've just had bad luck.

georgieporgy

age 24 is still young enough. I was referring to age 40 or so when a lot of people eventually are forced to have them out. At that stage the second molar is often in deep dodo.

it sounds like your second molar is not damaged then. You probably have osteomyelitis, inflamed/infected bone. quite painful, sort of like a dry socket but affecting more of your jaw. Keep the area clean. Antibiotics usually sort it. just takes time. You mentioned a 'he' and a 'she'. Are you seeing 2 dentists? It would be better to go back to the one that did the extraction for follow up treatment as she knows exactly how it went .

georgieporgy

georgieporgy wrote: »

age 24 is still young enough. I was referring to age 40 or so when a lot of people eventually are forced to have them out. At that stage the second molar is often in deep dodo.

it sounds like your second molar is not damaged then. You probably have osteomyelitis, inflamed/infected bone. quite painful, sort of like a dry socket but affecting more of your jaw. Keep the area clean. Antibiotics usually sort it. just takes time. You mentioned a 'he' and a 'she'. Are you seeing 2 dentists? It would be better to go back to the one that did the extraction for follow up treatment as she knows exactly how it went .

Yep, I'm still young in the scheme of things. Yes, I'm seeing a new dentist now as I've moved to London. The one who did the extraction wasn't my regular dentist anyway, as I was referred to Belfast so the best I can do is to tell the new guy what I know about how it went.

Just another question - the dentist who packed my dry socket left the packing in. I questioned him on this several times and he told me it was fine to leave it in. It all worked its way out within 2-3 weeks and seemed to do nothing but irritate the socket. Was he right to do this?

Also - the dentist I saw here told me I might need surgery to remove bone fragments from the socket/jaw - does this carry a risk of numbness like third molar removal does? I'm absolutely terrified of it - I'm training as an interpreter so if I can't speak properly, my course is over.

And one more thing, the socket seems very squishy now in parts, as it was right after I got the tooth out. Is this a bad sign?

georgieporgy

those dressings that are put in dry sockets are meant to relieve the pain somewhat. they are left in the socket but generally need to be replaced every few days till symptoms subside. If the same dressing is left in (and doesn't fall out quickly by itself) then it just gets dirty and you have another loose irritating object floating around in a very delicate area.I understand you had good reasons for not going back to the oral surgeon that did it. It souns like the pain is not as bad now as it was a few weeks ago, so that's a good sign.
I would rely on antibiotics and frequent thorough rinsing with hot salt water and be guided by your new dentists advice. Next time he sees you he will be able to see if things are improving. Don't worry about the squishy socket and stop poking your finger in it!! And if you are a smoker try to stay off the cigs till healed.

If you do need more surgery to clean out loose bits of debris it would be minor compared to your first experience.
What language are you learning/interpreting? I'd be surprised if there was long term numbness.

That's exactly what I thought and I'm not even a dentist, I don't know what your man was thinking. He has a good reputation locally so I accepted his advice eventually. Feeling pretty annoyed now. Bad enough getting dry socket without getting shoddy treatment after it. Should it be OK now the dressing has fallen out?

The squishiness seems to be some sort of swelling/lump thing. Looks pretty gross. Should I be worried? It isn't painful. I'm poking it with my tongue, trying not to but it's very tempting. I'm not a smoker so no worries about that.

I'm interpreting French and Spanish. Just very concerned about any numbness, as that was my main concern with the extraction surgery. Even with the dry socket and all, I was thankful to have all the feeling back. Only thing is, my awful experience has given me a phobia of the dentist (used to go every 6 months no bother, got my wisdom teeth done under local) Now just the thought of more injections and drilling makes my blood run cold

There's a little crunch/crack every time I open my mouth now and that squishy bump thing is still there. Is this reason so beg for an earlier appt than one month away or should I be patient?

georgieporgy

just be guided by the amount of pain Izzy. If the pain is gone it would appear to be healing ok.Your new dentist said come back in a month because time is the best healer for this problem. plus frequent (3-4 times a day) vigorous rinsing with warm water will keep it clean. brush the area as well as you can ..... gently does it though. Using floss daily to clean the back of the second molar is good if you can do it.
Most problems in the mouth result from poor hygiene.

French and Spanish is a nice package. Plenty of scope for future employment and greater wedding prospects

It's not exactly painful, but still a little sore to eat and the teeth feel a bit loose on that side. it smells kind of bad as well. Maybe it just needs time but its weird that it seems to be getting worse and not better

Moondust

Hi,
I recently went to my dentist to get a routine fillling. He took an x-ray and told me it was just a small cavity and he began. For a week after my tooth was still sore, and i couldn't eat anything on the that side. So i had to travel back down to limerick (working in dub) to get it checked. He then told me that my over-bite or something was too big, and filed the tooth down, saying it should all be sorted. 2 weeks later - stil could not eat on that side. so i have to travel from dub to limerick AGAIN! Turns out now, that my simple routine filling resulted in my dentist cracking my tooth. I had to go through the inconvienence of getting the original filling removed, and another filling in to replace it. 2 days later...my jaw feel like it got hit by a hammer. My question is....chances are ...i will have to go back a 4th time...which makes me boil with frustration and anger...and he will suggest i remove my tooth. Am i due any compensation? as in....will they give me travelling expenses for having to go back down 4 times, and if the remove my tooth, can i demand a replacement tooth, as ...if he did his job properly, i wouldn't need to have my tooth removed, or do all the travelling - VERY ANNOYED

I can't brush the area without it bleeding loads, and the lump seems to be harder now. It hurts on and off. Booked an appt on Thursday. Am getting really sick of this now. :mad: Something has obviously gone wrong, I don't think leaving it alone is the answer. I hope it's nothing serious.