What is hard spot in cheek

[Trudijane]

After my 5th gum surgery last week by my periodontist, there was a complication that he said he had never seen before.  He consulted an oral surgeon to ask him what this glandular tissue that appeared under the gum was since he had a hard time pushing it back under the gum in order to re-suture the area.

The oral surgeon told him it was something called a 'buccal fat pad' which is common to see during this type of surgery.  The periodontist was able to push it underneath the gum and suture the gum closed.

10 days later, most of the swelling has gone down except for one hard spot in my cheek.  To me, if feels as if something is stuck in between my cheek (like a marble).  During the followup, my periodontist felt it was probably a blood clot that needed more time to be resorbed and I should gargle with warm water as much as possible which I've been doing.

A week later and it's still there.  I'm beginning to think that in some way it's related to that 'buccal fat pad' that appeared under the gum since it is normally supposed to be a part of the cheek's anatomy.  He said if it was still there in a few weeks, then he would send me to an oral surgeon to see what it is.

I don't think it's going away by itself.  I'd like it to, but any professional have any ideas on this?

Thank you.,

[Trudijane]

I've healed another 2 weeks and the bump that was in the middle of my cheek has definitely reduced in side, but it seems to have moved to the UPPER area of my inside cheek, right across from the tooth that has had so many surgeries.

It does not hurt but it is so uncomfortable.  When I try and put my finger between the gum and cheek, there is not enough room to do so (versus the other side which is normal).  

During the last surgery I mentioned that something called a buccal fat pad emerged beneath my gum making it very difficult to re-suture.  My periodontist pushed what this is under the gum and head great difficulty doing it.  I'm wondering where the buccal fat pad went.  Could it be that it moved to my cheek area and is now forming a bump that should not be there?  I'm afraid my periodontist will tell me to try and live with it however, it's SO uncomfortable and doesn't feel right.

Any ideas???

[Trudijane]

Thanks so much for your comment.

I've been taking antibiotics for almost 2 weeks now, so there is no obvious infection although now I've stopped.  I'm hoping it's something that will just disappear or be resorbed as my periodontist says.  I'm very willing to wait 2 weeks as he requested, however, after that period of time, I think it's important to know what it is, if it's still there.  I wouldn't be comfortable with it as is.  It feels like I have a marble stuck in my cheek!  I've never felt anything quite like it....

Anyway, thanks for your response.

[Caryopteris]

It makes me think of my friend who had breast surgery and I think she had a seroma or something and it took many, many months for it to be reabsorbed and go away.  You need to get rechecks and make sure there isn't infection going on.  Any heat or redness means infection.