Dentist didn't take xray

jaffa20

Hi all,

I went to the dentist earlier this week because was having issues with aching near a wisdom tooth under the gum. They checked x-rays from 4 years ago, but said nothing to be worried about for now and just keep it clean. They said inflammation should hopefully go down in a week or two. It has nearly been a week already. I've been using Corsodyl and cleaning with salt water etc. Taking neurofen now and again also to try keep inflammation down. My jaw feels really tender when i touch it though.

I'm just now wondering should they have taken another x-ray because from what I remember, I've always had x-rays taken when i'm having issues with a specific tooth during a checkup. I'm worried about a potential infection because i'm going on holidays soon. Ideally, it will just settle down soon. It sounds like a very complicated extraction close to an important nerve if it needs to come out.

edit: forgot to mention that it is possible that food just got stuck in small hole in gum near that site and possibly became inflamed. I would have thought it would have improved by now though. It's not really getting worse but not better either.

Thanks,

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058312596/dentist-didnt-take-xray

If you have an infection in the soft tissues around your wisdom tooth, an X-ray will not give any information other than the degree of impaction (which they already know from the previous X-ray). The standard X-rays taken by a Dentist do know show soft tissues, so taking an X-ray for a soft tissue infection is pointless.

jaffa20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121079009#Comment_121079009

Thanks for the reply. That explains it. I guess I'll continue with mouth rinses and some neurofen and see if it settles down in a week. I've had irritation in this area before but it normally doesn't last longer than a week. Is benzydamine / difflam spray good for this sort of inflammation instead? I know it's normally used for sore throats.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121079032#Comment_121079032

Contact them again, may need antibiotics if the infection is persisting. Having already seen you recently, this will probably just involve picking the script up at reception.

jaffa20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121079040#Comment_121079040

I only saw them on Monday. Maybe will give it few more days and see if it settles. It doesnt seem to be getting worse at least. Hopefully can just pick up prescription if needed. Thanks for the advice.