Dry Socket Questions

[nycgirl40]

Hi. On 8-8-2011 I had a root canaled tooth extracted due to an infection underneath. It is the top last molar. I developed a dry socket but the pain was not like what the other people mention. I went to the DDS and he told me that I had a dry socket. They did not pack it or anything because it was healing. During that time I have been experiencing weird pains off an on. I have been back to the dentist once a week since then to be monitored and it was healing. The last visit he checked with the nose blowing test for a sinus perforation and he said he did not see anything and if he did it would be so small that it will heal itself. Well the other day I felt a sharp pain there and I called the dentist and he told me that it is healing and you will feel things off and on until it is fully healed. I have an appt with him Thursday to see how it is doing.
My questions are
1. after 4 weeks of healing can a dry socket reopen when it has been checked and said it is healing nicely?
2. When i speak there is only one tooth on that side.. visual.. back molar extracted..no tooth next to it.. then a tooth. That free standing tooth is very sensitive not to hot or cold when I speak. When i put my tongue around the gums it is sensitive.. Dentist told me that can happen and once the nerves and gums calm down that will increase. Is that true?
3. once the hole closes completely and it is almost there, the pain seems to be coming from the side where the cut the gum by my cheek will the pain go away?
4. this has got me so down i feel like I am never going to heal. do people heal and just move on with their lives because i feel like I will be like this forever.
My dds says this is al normal dry socket healing.. I trust him, he is very smart i just would like other peoples opinions and experiences.
Thanks

[nycgirl40]

I have an appt with an oral surgeon on Monday> I just want a second opinion on everything from healing to the communication issue of there is one. I am scared to go but I need some concrete answers. Thanks for your help. I will let you know how things go

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

If the extraction was difficult, then it may require more time for healing.  The only other possibility is that when its a difficult extraction, small pieces of bone which break during the extraction can push their way out and result in some sensitivity in the area, especially if you push on it.  

[nycgirl40]

It is taking time that's for sure. The reason why it was never packed was because it was not hurting that much. It only hurt when air got up there when I said certain words and by the time  it was confirmed a dry socket it was starting to heal and there was no constant pain, there never was. It is almost closed at this point but for some reason the last 5 days it has been super sensitive on the side. This happens when I speak to fast or after I rinse with salt water/ I went to the DDS today and he checked for an ora antral communication again and said he did not see anything and even if there was it was so small that it will heal. There is no tooth next to it, i think the extracted tooth was #14. There is no tooth next to that one that was extracted as a kid and then there is a tooth and that one is super duper sensitive to speaking not hot or cold. I was informed that the nerves can still be out of wack and to give it till the hole closes up and see how everything feels. I was going to put an implant there but I don't know if I will do that now. The extraction was difficult and he said that being it was difficult that the nerves around can start hurting when they really start to heal.
I am just so depressed and scared about this whole thing. I am scared that something is being missed but he is a veryyyy good dentist and very smart and i trust him. i just don't understand if something is getting better why is it hurting?

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Dry socket can take some time to heal.  I'm not sure why he didn't pack the socket initially to help with the pain at first.  

If its healing nicely as he says, there maybe some other issue with another tooth or the extraction may have been somewhat difficult and it may be injured the tooth next to it, which also will take some time to heal. At one month though, most of the healing should've taken place.  Any further plans for treatment besides removing that bad tooth?

[nycgirl40]

not sure why i cant get an answer here if i did this right