Pain and multiple infections after a dental bone graft

[Bstajduhar]

7 weeks ago, I had a dental bone graft done on the area where #8 tooth was.  I had an extraction that the dentist damaged the bone and perforated my sinus cavity.  After seeing 3 specialist, I was instructed that a dental bone graft was my only option, the bones was too damaged to even do a bridge.  The dentist who extracted the tooth also took 90% of the bone in the area with the tooth.  I went to a very reputable oral surgeon, he was rated as the best in the area.  I was told that I would have minimal pain and that I would be so surprised at how quickly I would recover.  As soon as the novocaine wore off, I began having excruciating pain.  The entire left side of my face hurt.  Pain meds, Vicodin and oxycodone 15 mg did not touch the pain.  I was getting ready for bed and bent slightly forward to pull my hair up and blood poured out of my left nostril.  I was not told to expect nosebleeds from the procedure.  I was unable to sleep very much and when I did sleep, I would wake up with blood pouring out of my nose or down my throat. I was so nauseated and couldn't keep ginger ale down. I called the oral surgeon first thing in the morning and was told that this was normal by his office staff. I was instructed to take the pain meds and antibiotics.  I ended up missing work the rest of the week.  I took my medications and kept expecting to start to feel better.  I felt worse.  I was unable to eat anything.  I had to force myself to drink fluids and yogurt. I ended up losing 12 pounds in one week.  I am 5' 7" and 118 pounds before the surgery.  I went in for my one week follow up and was told everything looked great. I asked why I was still feeling so sick and so weak and once again I was told that it was normal and could take 4 - 6 weeks to feel better.  I suffered for another week. The nosebleeds continued and I developed a very foul taste and smell. I could barely hold my head up and even walking short distances made me exhausted.  I demanded to be seen and they finally agreed.  I was told that I had a very severe sinus infection and was place on Augmentin 875 mg twice daily for 10 days.  I slowly began to feel better but I was still having the severe pain.  Nothing helped.  Again, I was told this was normal. I was also told that it could be TMJ causing all the pain and was instructed to do jaw exercises, limit talking and to only eat soft foods.  Last week, 6 weeks after the dental bone graft, the protective membrane was removed.  I had very bad pain that night, but when I woke up in the morning, I had no pain at all!  I was so excited!  I felt normal and I got to ride my horse and enjoy life again.  However, this did not last.  The very next day, I noticed that the roof of my mouth on the left side was very sore and it was difficult to eat or drink anything.  By that evening, the pain in my jaw and surgical area had returned. It wasn't as severe but the throbbing was back .  By the next morning, the pain and dizziness was back.  The swelling on the roof of my mouth was a lot worse and felt as if there was fluid in it.  I called the oral surgeon but was unable to be seen since my oral surgeon is only in on Tuesdays and I couldn't see any of the other surgeons.  My PCP had ordered me an additional 5 days of Augmentin so I began taking that over the weekend. The swelling seems to be slightly less today but I have now developed a lump and soreness near the incision sight next to my cheek.  The roof of my mouth is very warm and red.  I have an appointment with my surgeon on Tuesday.  I am very concerned that this could be caused by the perforated sinus.  I was told that it should heal on it's own in a few weeks but it has been 7 weeks on Tuesday or that I am possibly rejecting the bone graft.  I am at my wits end.  Has anyone experienced this much difficulty after a bone graft?  My surgeon keeps mentioning doing an implant in 3 months and I have no intentions of doing an implant after all of this pain and suffering.  Also, since the membrane was removed, tiny bone fragments have been coming out of the surgical area.  Please help!

[1JOYOUS1]

It is wise NOT to wait for a dental  implant the bone in your face where the tooth is missing will deteriorate for some dumb reason the bone begins to go away and your face will looked caved in . Look at the old people with dentures, they take out there dentures and there face looks sunken in The dental hygienist called it "face collapse. The best thing to do is if you have tooth extracted wait a month tops  and if  you have enough bone get an dental implant ASAP .. if you put it off and  wait longer to get a dental implant you will need a bone graft and sinus lift which will add EXTRA COSTS  $$$$$ I got an estimate in the city  for everything 40,000 so I got the bone graft further out from where we live and I will get the implants at medical tourism place that is reputable and does no metal and zirconium We would never put want  metal in our   mouth because of the heavy metal poisioning and electrical charge

[1JOYOUS1]

We saw a highly rated oral surgeon a grad. from the finest medical school and he best medical hospital in the world. What is interesting about this is, we are not rookies we have been to the best dentist and had bone grafts we had centrifrudge that is where they spin the blood make clot in the sit they are working NO PAIN. afterwards or minimal in the least maybe one or two ibuprofen and then you feel fine and go on your way This time we chose a doctor further out and it was cheaper , I had four bone graft and sinus life my husband had one we felt like we had been in car accidents our heads, neck and just alignment was off and the pain was bad and I had a couple nose bleeds We had soup for two weeks straight  I took a  couple Ibuprofen my husband took eight to nine a day we are slim we both dropped a 11 pounds I'm 5'5 I was at 99 it was crazy .. I felt like I needed a chiropractor  and reflexologist, We set up appointment for when we feel better to get the trauma out of the body and get realigned . We both had  infections my family member who is cancer surgeon said, you surgeon was not a good surgeon (because we had infections with pus and a bad odor YIKES) ... I don't know about why he said that but he know a thing or two about surgery  Anyhow this guy is bang up surgeon highly rated and I think it is because people have not had the procedure elsewhere so they have no idea that a dental bone graft should not take so many weeks to get well and feel normal ...my friend think always pick a small doctor with small hands less banging around in your mouth and for  heavens sake pick someone that does centrifuge or you will be in pain .. pain vs no pain or barely any pain . I chose no pain

[dhsholl]

I'm going through something similar as you except without the nose bleeds.  Please tell me how your graft turned out.  I'm on my second bone graft and now it is looking infected as well.

[scottma]

Your descriptions suggest unsuccessful bone regeneration resulting from graft infection. If you still have symptoms of infection, you may ask your oral surgeon eliminate source of infection. Re do the procedure is warranted.