question-- tooth removal but can't open jaw?

[crimson238]

So here's my problem. I have an infection of 32, they think, but the problem is i can't open my jaw at all prior to the extraction. I have been referred to an OS and I've been on Clindamycin for weeks now (300mg 3x a day for 14 days and now 300mg 4x a day for 5 days) but it's all just the same. Also i'm having trouble swallowing and my throat is sore and i'm drooling like mad.
I just don't understand how they'll do anything if i can't even open my mouth. My dentist mentioned they'd probably be me under general anesthetic? Is this generally true?
will i be able to open my jaw after the extraction normally (within a few days?)
I'm scared, i miss solid foods, i'm drawn to tears from stress and worry.
I'm not in pain, per say, just discomfort-- sore, and i can't open my jaw.


any advice would be amazing. I just want to get an idea what's going to happen as I have no frame of reference and it's hard to get answers out of the dentist (and haven't seen an OS yet because they're super hard to find on my insurance-- most aren't taking new patients and those that are aren't available till may!)


thanks much
please help.

-Adrian

 

[comfortdentist]

Also i'm having trouble swallowing and my throat is sore and i'm drooling like mad

Bad sign! Call the OMS again with this symptom especially if it hasn't responded to clindamycin.
You may need to go to ER and receive IV antibiotics.
Don't ignore! You may be developing
Ludwig's Angina. This can get rapidly worse, much worse.

 

[crimson238]

Thanks Dr I'm going to the OS for the first time today, but how common is ludwigs? I'm not having trouble breathing, it just feels like a sore throat from my swollen gland.
And certainly when the first put my on clinda the swelling got much better, but that was awhile ago.

How do they deal with it, though, if i can't open my mouth?

 

[crimson238]

well i went and he didn't seem to really be able to do anything due to the swelling, which is worrisome, since the oral surgeons advice was "go to the er if it doesn't get better" and "why not call the dental school" (which i had already done and the earliest they had for an evaluation was may!).
So, that was a pointless trip.
I made an appointment with my dentist tomorrow, not that the OS said to, to see what we should do as i only have 1 day of meds left. I also was scheduled for a follow up with the OS on the 31st, though, I don't know if i really trust to go back to them, not that they were mean or anything, it just seemed, i dunno. . What do you all think?

any advice, insights, anecdotes, anything would be great.

They did take and look at a panoramic x-ray but i can't tell what i was looking at when i looked at it and when i asked if i could see it and they could explain it-- they kinda didn't.