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
Question Two and a half weeks ago I had two upper dental implants and bone growth protein put in my back molars (tried bovin growth was not enough). These are near my sinus which they had to lift to put the implants in. I've gone back to the Dr. a week later with a servere headache and sinus pain and I'm very fuzzy with the pain. They put me on Amoxicillin/K clav 875 125 mg. 2xdaily 10 days. Told to take anthistamine to. Can this be leading to loosing the implants? The dentist wants to see me next week, says my gums look angry. What usually happens? I seem to get bacterial infections after surgery. My dental bone loss was to bacterial infection from a root canal done 14 yrs ago.
Answer Cici - One of my main concerns is that you say the dentist placed you on an antibiotic (amoxicillin) a week later and did not immediately place you on an antibiotic and a decongestant. I am not too thrilled with antihistamines as their drying effect on the sinus is somewhat limited and should be used after an initial usage of a decongestant.
I hope the dentist you speak of is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon since they are the only dental specialists who are trained in directly operating on the sinus cavity.
In some situations even the best surgery can produce symptoms, but waiting another week when you are having problems is a mistake. Also sinus films should be taken to see if an infection or fluid buildup has occurred.
You should be seen much more frequently to corral the developing infection and not wait until it is rampant an there is not hope. If you dentist is not a surgeon then I cannot be sure of the long term consequences. If, however, he is a surgeon I am sure you will be better handled if seen much more frequently that weekly.
Lastly, I hope you were told to do warm salt water (teaspoon salt in glass of warm water) rinses for 5-10 minutes 4-5 times per day. This is the best technique to allow internal infectious fluids to be discharged and assist in normal healing.
If you have further questions please feel free to contact me. I hope for the best for you and know it will more likely occur if you are followed much more closely to intercept problems before they arise and not after they have created more problems.
