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Dentistry/Lower jaw implant/sudden sinusitus foll. surgery

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Expert: - 2/14/2009


Question
Dear Dr. Finnk-

Thank  you for offering your expertise to the public - I am grateful to you and the other dentists who are willing to do this.  

I am 43 years old, and I just got a dental extraction and implant performed yesterday(2/13/09) on my lower left jaw side.  It was a baby tooth with old mercury fillings and decay.  The baby tooth never had a permanent tooth to replace it, and the baby tooth was not worth saving (tooth number 12?)  Therefore, my regular dentist referred me to an oral surgeon for a consult.

My oral surgeon decided it needed an extraction and explained how an implant would be most beneficial.  

After talking at length with the surgeon, I felt comfortable with the way all of my questions were answered in a satisfactory manner.  The surgeon also has a lot of experience and has been doing this over ten years.  Of all the implants, the surgeon admitted only 8 needed to be redone, and of those, 2 were rejected.  No fractured jaws.  I felt very satisfied with the surgeon's willingness to discuss failed implant proceedings.

Yesterday, I read over the possible effects post surgery before hand as part of the informed consent.  One of the things it said is sinus complications could occur with upper jaw surgical proceedings.  I really didn't think that would apply, but I signed anyways.

Now today, I'm finding a sudden strange feeling in my nasal cavity on the same side.

It's running a clear liquid like substance on that one side only, feels strange when I inhale, and has a blocked sensation.  Also, I feel fluid running down the back of my throat and my eyes are burning.  No fever.

I called the surgeon, and the surgeon suggested I must have had sinusitis brewing before the procedure and that the surgery was located nowhere near the sinus cavity.  It makes sense to me that a problem would seem unlikely being that it was performed on my lower jaw and not upper, but I was perfectly fine, with no cold like symptoms present before the surgery.

Do you have any knowledge of such a possible after effect as described in my situation?  Anything I should be concerned about?  If a nerve was disturbed, could it cause my sinus problem?  

Answer
Dear Nina:  It also sounds to me like you developed a sinusitis (sinus inflammation) coincidentally with your implant procedure.  It is conceivable that you might have developed an allergy to one of the materials that the surgeon used, but this would be rare.  If your sinus condition does not improve within one week, contact your surgeon again, and express your concerns once more.  If the problem is prolonged, you may need to see an Ear-Nose-Throat specialist.  But I believe that your sinus should clear itself in time.

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Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO

Expertise

I am a Family, Implant and Cosmetic dentist. I will answer questions on any aspect of dentistry and matters relating to the smile, gums, jaws and lower face. Member American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, and Atlantic Coast District Dental Association. I have served as District Council Member of Alpha Omega, as well as serving for one term as its President. I am also a member of The Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, and Mount Sinai Hospital Guild. I have served as a Volunteer for Project Dental Health and The Tri-County Dental Health Council.

Experience

Having attained over 30 years of clinical experience in private practice in Michigan, in 2001 I was re-certified by taking and passing the Florida State Dental Board Examination. After moving to Florida, I spent nearly 10 years re-honing my skills while working as an Associate Dentist for several large dental groups. In September, 2004, I was appointed Adjunct Clinical Professor at Nova University's College of Dental Medicine. I am certified in placement of Mini Dental Implants, and I am Director of The Florida Implant Center (floridaimplantcenter.com). On March 1, 2010, at the age of 62, I began all over again by buying a dental practice near my home in the Fort Lauderdale area. As sole owner and Chief Dental Officer of the new Nob Hill Dental Center (nobhilldentalcenter.com), I can now carefully provide dental care to patients who care, all within a caring, joyful environment. Over my career lifetime, I have provided thousands of diagnoses, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, periodontal treatments, TMJ therapies, partials, dentures and extractions, and dozens of implants for my patients. The only aspect of dentistry with which I have very little experience is orthodontics.

Organizations
American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, Atlantic Coast District Dental Society, Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, Alpha Omega Alumni Association, and American Association of Dental Implantologists. Formerly, American Academy of General Dentistry, Michigan Dental Association, Macomb Dental Society, Detroit District Dental Society, Tri-County Dental Health Council (a charitable dental care organization)

Publications
"How To Save Money At The Dentist" Going to press soon.

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Psychology from Wayne State University Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Detroit College of Dentistry Adjunct Clinical Professor, Special Needs Department, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Awards and Honors
Membership in The Vedder Honors Society

Past/Present Clients
HIPAA rules do not allow me to post this information.

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