Molar Extraction problem.

[Davet30]

I went for a molar extraction - lower right. The dentist used quite a bit of force with what I can only discribe as a bradawl. He went from one side of the tooth to the other pushing right down and eventually he changed the tool and pulled it out. I followed the after care instructions but am finding the pain unbearable 4 days later. I can not feel any pain in the socket it'self but it's in my lower jaw on the inside and, when I push a finger upwards from my neck line that hurts too. I've used a finger to explore the area and I can feel what I can only discribe as a sharp boney protrution low down on the inside of the jaw right against my tongue base. Is this normal or should I see my dentisit?

Thanks

 

[Parsnip]

Hi there.

When a tooth is in the mouth it is held in place by a collar of bone. This is what the dentist has to separate the tooth from during an extraction. Usually the collar of bone remains, and this is what you can feel through the gum. Over the next few months this bone will be resorbed back into the bloodstream and you will be left with a flat ridge of gum where the tooth used to be.

The whole area around the socket will have to go through a healing process which means that initially it can be uncomfortable for up to two weeks.

There's always a risk of post-operative infection (a dry socket) which typically appears about 48 hrs after the extraction which up until then had been pain free. Dry socket is excrutiatingly painful and you would need to see your dentist for antibiotics and a dressing in the socket if this was the case.

If it's just been sore from day 1, then it's more than likely the normal inflammatory healing process. Painkillers (anti-inflammatories if you can take them) and keep doing the hot salty mouth wash 3-4 times a day will help. But it will get better soon, and you'll be feeling much more like your old self

Hope that helps.

 

[Amoreyna]

Sometimes bone fragments also work their way lose which is normal. It's natural and if that's what it is then it's nothing to be alarmed about as it will slowly work it's way out.

In your case though, have you called your dentist and told them about the pain in your jaw that your having or that the bone fragment is bothering you?

Looking at the force he used (which seems excessive, why would't he have just cut it out at that point ) I doubt it's dry socket and probably strain on you jaw. Usually dry socket pain is pretty unbearable also but the pain comes from the bone and nerves in the socket being exposed because the blood clot is lost and they are exposed to everything. I've heard even breathing hurts with dry socket.

I would definitely call your dentist and talk to them. Warm compresses can definitely help, especially moist ones. I usually fill a ziplock with water and heat it in the microwave till warm (you don't want it burning here, let's not scald your jaw at the same time). While it's heats I'll get a washcloth and use hot water to make it moist and ring it out. Wrapping the baggie in the washcloth you can use this 20 mins at a time to try and relax your muscles and help blood flow to the area that hurts.

Seeing as this was posted yesterday I hope you went to see your dentist since pain should not be uncontrolled. If you didn't and are still in the same level or even worse call the office and get the dentist on call and talk to them.

While extractions hurt it shouldn't be unbearable.

 

[Davet30]

Thanks for both those replies, it is appreciated.

I went back to the dentist and explained the boney protrusion which I could both fell and see. I was quite clear in that the pain was below the socket sight and that the socket it'self appeared to be pain free. The pain was, and is, in the jaw and especially the joint.

He numbed it up with injections but that wasn't very good as I could still feel pain (only my cheek appeared to be numb). he said he would probably have to put a packing in and, as there were a slight infection, some anitbiotics as a 'double wammy'. He then proceeded to use a pair of sweezers with sharp points and started to 'fiddle' with that bone. I immediately felt pain as I had already pointed out to him that the pain relief hadn't worked.

I'm 4 days in to my anti-biotic course and still on pain killers. My jaw joint kills when I try and gape my mouth. In my view this person has used excessive force and damaged my joint. It all still feels swollen to me. I think it's time to search for another dentisit. I'm even contemplating taking legal action but I probably won't.

 

[Dr. Daniel]

I think it's time to search for another dentisit.

I agree. First of all, the sharp edge is in the side of that points to the tongue, and the proper anesthesia should be to that direction and not the cheeck (that is why it was painful). There are several ways to make a bone edge smoother but using a "sweezer" is not a good one. In addition, I did not see any indication for antibiotics from what you have described.
In short, it is better for you to search for another dentist.

 

[Amoreyna]

Definitely time for another dentist. Especially now, so you can have the new dentist examine what in the world he was doing and evaluate your jaw pain. That will help you decide how to proceed if you want to take action against this dentist. This doesn't necessarily mean a lawsuit, you can also follow the avenues for reporting them.

If you want your money back and require further treatment to correct what he did then you might have to consider getting a lawyer. Depends how expensive things are and it could be long lasting concerning pain and treatment. Best thing would be is to find another dentist with a good reputation, maybe through friends or family, asap and have them evaluate what's actually going on. At the very least it will give you peace of mind and help you on the road to recovery regardless of what you decide to do later.

Also, moist heat/warm compresses could help with the pain and stiffness in your jaw.

 

[Davet30]

Just an update...

I am adamant that I am not entertaining this dentist again. Ever time food comes into contact with that bone protrusion I get a pain like nothing else! So eating is very difficult. I've contacted a local dentisit and the best they can do is an appointment in 2 weeks. I contacted emergency dental treatment center and they suggested I go back to my own dentist! Welcome to the UK NHS service! I'll give it another 2 days and then I'm gonna insist I get seen by that out of hours emergency center.

The visible white bone is about 5mm long and I can't see this going anytime soon. I've now completed the anti-biotics course and am now at my wits end!

Is there anything on the market which I could purchase to numb the pain?

 

[Dr. Daniel]

I don't think there is any substance available over the counter and also with prescription which can help. If I am wrong I hope someone in the forum corrects me.
You can either go to the dentist to fix the sharp bone or to wait. The waiting period is in the scale of weeks.

 

[scnurse]

Just an update...

I am adamant that I am not entertaining this dentist again. Ever time food comes into contact with that bone protrusion I get a pain like nothing else! So eating is very difficult. I've contacted a local dentisit and the best they can do is an appointment in 2 weeks. I contacted emergency dental treatment center and they suggested I go back to my own dentist! Welcome to the UK NHS service! I'll give it another 2 days and then I'm gonna insist I get seen by that out of hours emergency center.

The visible white bone is about 5mm long and I can't see this going anytime soon. I've now completed the anti-biotics course and am now at my wits end!

Is there anything on the market which I could purchase to numb the pain?

Hi dave30,
I know this is an old thread. Wondering what happened with your situation? I have sort of the same thing going on. I don’t see any further updates from you. Did your bone heal?