Wisdom tooth ectraction... 15 days later....

[msmegb]

I had wisdom teeth removed 15 days ago. After 5 days I called on Sat & my Dr didn't think it was dry sockets but I went in on that Mon as excruciating pain. It was dry sockets & was balling in the Dr's chair as I couldn't take the pain anymore. The Dr (a different one from whom did surgery) packed me with dressings & 2 hours later I was elated as pain was gone. I went back on Weds as the Dr said to have them repacked & then to go back on Friday to see my Dr to see what he wanted to do. On Weds another Dr removed the dressings and didn't think I needed more, that dry sockets were most likely gone. He said dressing stop working after 24 hours & since my pain didn’t come back it was most likely gone. I stressed that I could not deal with the pain coming back & he assured me that I should be fine. He said he had only seen one, maybe two in his career that the dry socket was still there. Needless to say the pain came back next day & I had terrible pain in ears, sinus & temples. I went back Fri & my original Dr said I should have had them packed on Weds & that he always packs them at least 3 times. He said it is a difference of opinions on what the other Dr said who removed the dressings; frustrating as shouldn't they be on the same page as same practice? Anyway, he packed me with dissolvable dressings & I asked if I would need more. He said to wait and see how I feel on Mon, if pain comes back that he would be in on Tues & could pack again. I felt ok Mon with a little pain when went to bed & ok Tues so I didn't go in. Now it is Tues night & I again have pain. Could the dry sockets still be there? I think I still have small holes but it is hard for me to see? I don’t know what to do. Do I go back in & get packed again? My Dr is only in on Tues & Fri & tomorrow being Weds I would have to see the Dr who removed the 1st dressings & said I didn't need more. It is going on day 16 & I can’t believe I am still dealing with pain, etc Any suggestions please?

[msmegb]

Thank you for your quick reply.... another quick question.  I woke up this morning and the pain has significantly lessened if not gone away.  Although it seems to be better in the mornings and gets really bad late at night when close to going to bed.  Does this mean it is healing as should be?  I took 1/2 of a vicodin last night and not sure if that helped too much but maybe I could do that when going to bed yo manae any pain I may have and let it heal on its own. I really do not want to nor can I afford to go back under anesthesia.  If in fact there is a loose bone as you mentioned may be the problem, will that heal on its own and how long approximately could that take?  Thank you so much.

[Michael H Kirsch, DDS]

It is possible that you still may have the "dry socket."  It is unusual to have needed that many packing but I've certainly seen patients who require multiple visits.

There is another option and that would be to allow the surgeon to currettage the socket.  This would require anesthesia but has close to a 100% success rate.  If there is a small piece of loose bone in the socket (which can occur spontaneously and not the fault of your doctor) it could otherwise take some time for your body to heal that.  

Information contained within this reply is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not intended nor implied to be a medical diagnosis or treatment recommendation.  This is not a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. Always seek the advice of your own doctor for medical condition. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.

[Michael H Kirsch, DDS]

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