AboutJoel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS Expertise I am a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and I am available to answer questions related to tooth extractions, implant insertion, facial recontruction, facial and oral tumor removal, TMJ dysfunction and various successful treatments, including surgery if all else fails, and occlusal discrepancy requiring orthognathic or jaw surgery.
Experience Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicine for over 20 years. Assistant Clincal Professor and State University School of Dentistry.
Organizations American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Education/Credentials BA
DMD
Awards and Honors National Honor Society (OKU), Philadelphia County Dental Society, Mosby Book Award, Oral Surgery Honors, Summa Cum Laude
I wrote you before regarding an abscessed tooth (#12). My Endodontist told me it couldn't be saved and referred me to an Oral Surgeon.
The Oral Surgeon extracted my tooth on Tuesday (May 6) and also placed a bone graft for a future implant. I wasn't told what type of bone graft. I had extreme swelling of the left side of my face yesterday but the swelling is getting a little better today. Last night I had some throbbing but it eased with ibuprofin and Vicodin.
This evening I put my tongue there and felt there was a deeper hole. I looked at it with a small dental mirror and flashlight and it looks like some of it is missing (the membrane over the bone graft?). It isn't a really deep hole but it doesn't look like it did before. I see him for a follow-up on Tuesday.
Should I contact his office before Tuesday to let them know? Will he have to do an additional procedure?
Also, he and his office have never called me at home to see how I am doing. That bothered me since my own dentist and endodontist have always called me on an evening of a procedure to see how I am.
Another question I have is that he wants to place the implant within the next four months. But my current dental insurance doesn't cover implants. I can switch in September this year to a PPO that will cover implants 50% but that won't go into effect until January 2009. Is it ok to wait that long for my implant? I want it to be successful but if I can wait it would help me out financially since this will cost me about $3,000.
Can you please offer me some advice.
Thank you, Wendy
Answer Wendy - First of all, after a graft is placed I feel that healing for 6 months should be waited. At 6 months the bone is denser and has higher blood flow in the area to promote the implant to heal better.
I agree with you that the surgeon should have contacted you after the surgery. I hate doctors who think they are so important and don't feel the need to make sure their patients are comfortable.
As far as the deeper hole, it is not unusual for a portion of the graft to come out if the doctor did not seal the opening. I believe in fully sealing the area. It should heal anyway.
