AboutMark Bornfeld DDS Expertise I can respond to all questions dealing with the practice of dentistry, from both the dentist`s and patient`s perspective. I am knowledgeable about all dental disciplines, from cosmetic dentistry to surgery, from restorative dentistry to root canal treatment. I have strong opinions about controversial issues in dental practice, including those topics which directly impact on the reputation of the profession in the eyes of both the lay public and our health profession colleagues.
Experience
Past/Present clients Editor, Queens County Academy of General Dentistry newsletter; contributor to Dentistry.com 29 years practicing general dentistry partnered with brother Steve as one-half of the DentalTwins®
Question I had a small wisdom tooth fixed on the upper left side, it had a small fracture in it. I had no problems with it before the procedure. after the anastetic wore off, I had extreme pain and soreness in my cheek and the bones in my face. I called the dentist several times and they said it was probably from the needle hitting a nerve and the pain and swelling should go away in 2 to 4 days. there is no pain in the tooth or the gum surrounding the tooth but I cannot bite down, it causes pain in the cheek and bone this has lasted 4 days now I asked for a antibiotic and pain killer but so far neither is working very well, how long does it take to to get relief from this?
Answer Dear Nancy,
Your symptoms suggest that your problem is NOT from the injection; there is something else going on that is responsible for your pain. Either the filling was contoured too high, or your gum adjacent to the tooth was injured, or the cavity was deep enough to breach the pulp. In any case, you clearly need to get back to your dentist, and you should attempt to prevail upon him not to brush you off. If he is less than responsive to your requests for postoperative care, you should consider switching to another dentist.
If this tooth to which you refer truly is a wisdom tooth, you should resist making heroic efforts to repair it; many dentists consider wisdom teeth expendable, and a badly damaged wisdom tooth seldom merits great effort at salvage-- most of these teeth are extracted.
Hope this helps...
Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
