Expert: Benjamin Schwartz, DDS FAGD - 2/10/2009

Question
Last week when I went to the dentist I received full mouth x-rays. When the dentist came into the examination room to review the x-rays he noticed something different about them.  He first asked me when I had my wisdom teeth removed and I answered "about four years ago, why?". He then proceeded to inform me that I have a foreign object in my gum where my wisdom teeth were located. He said that it is most likely a needle tip or another piece of instrument from the surgery. I don't really know what to do in this situation so anything you could recommend would be much appreciated.

Answer
Hi Tom,

I would go to a competent oral surgeon for another opinion. If indeed it is a needle or something, it's best to let the surgeon remove it.

Hopefully, it's just below the gum line, and not something deep that will require a very invasive procedure.

Please let me know if you need more help.