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Archives for April 2017

Is a sinus perforation issue a dental emergency?

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I had all my teeth extracted and now I’m wondering if what I’m dealing with is a dental emergency? The ultimate plan is to have my teeth replaced with a mix of dental implants and dentures. Anyway, it turns out that I had a sinus perforation. I went back in and the dentist took care of it by closing it up. But, it’s been several days after that appointment and I have some clear fluid coming out of my nasal cavity. I can’t breathe out of that side either. Nothing is relieving the congestion. I’ve tried over-the-counter decongestants and nothing is working. Steam in the shower with saline rinses aren’t helping either. After all this, the last thing I want to deal with is a dental emergency. Also, I am on antibiotics since the perforation was discovered. What should I do?

-Lance in Arizona

Lance,

It’s time to see an ear, nose and throat specialist. So far, your implant dentist has taken the proper steps to resolve the sinus perforation. But it’s time to have that sinus issue examined further. Get in touch with your dentist and ask for a referral to an ear, nose and throat doctor. It could be as simple as a change in antibiotics, or as serious as a piece of bone or tooth fragment that has been displaced. Although it wouldn’t be considered a dental emergency yet, it is important to get it taken care of asap. If you are seeing liquid draining from the site, you may have developed an infection.

Sinus perforations are not that uncommon when teeth are extracted. The dentist could have done everything correctly, and sometimes it still occurs. It sounds like the dentist closed it surgically, which is the correct course of action. Yet it would be in your best interest to make an appointment with an otorhinolaryngologist. Thank you for your question.

This post is sponsored by York PA dentist Donald H. Currie, DMD

Is a sore dental implant an emergency?

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I’m trying not to freak out about my dental implant. Everything has been going well so far. I am about three months into the healing phase. When I woke up yesterday, it was really bothering me. It felt like something was off. It’s hard to explain. But, it feel soft and spongy. Now, it’s all I can think about because it’s pretty tender too. It’s the weekend and I know my implant dentist is out of town visiting family. Do I need to go to an emergency dentist? I have been through so much and I don’t want to start over.

Please tell me it’s normal and the dental implant will be fine.  Or maybe a trip to the emergency dentist would give me piece of mind. Please help!

-Jess in New Jersey

Jess,

It sounds like there is cause for concern. Hopefully, an emergency dentist appointment will clarify what is happening here. The biggest concern at this point is an infection near the dental implant site. Since you mention it’s sore, it’s time to have it checked out sooner than later. Does the tenderness mean you are avoiding chewing on it? Has it woke you up at night? Is there any throbbing in the area? Infections can show symptoms differently. But, it would be worth your while to have it checked out.

Infections can spread quickly and the sooner you are seen, the more options you’ll have. Your instincts are correct. You don’t want the dental implant post to have to be removed or redone.

You mentioned that your regular implant dentist is out of town. It’s still worth a call to see what their after hours or emergency recommendations are. They may have someone on-call for situations just like this. Or they may have a preferred dentist in your area. So, start by calling your regular dentist and go from there.

Then, as soon as your regular implant dentist returns, you can follow-up. Good luck! You are doing the right thing to have it checked out.

This post is sponsored by York PA dentist Donald H. Currie, DMD.