Expert: Luis Granados DDS MS ESP. - 9/23/2007

Question
QUESTION: I had a wisdom tooth pulled 2-1/2 months ago and am still experiencing pain.  The dentist packed the tooth 4 or 5 times and then told me the site was healed.  Last week he did an x-ray to see if anything was left behind.  Apparently not.  He sent me to an eye-ear-nose-throat doctor to see if I has a sinus infection that was causing the pain.  Nothing found.  I'm in pain on and off about 5-6 hours a day.  My dentist doesn't know why?  Is this normal?  
Pamela

ANSWER: When I first read your note i didnīt pay attention about it was a SUPERIOR MOLAR TOOTH....
It is not common to experience a dry socket at superior third molars; it is most common at inferior third molars
You say you are still experiencing pain but you must tell me if it is associated with a special activity or if it is spontaneous and please try to describe what you are feeling.
Please try to use word like : You feel like pumping blood at that site or if you have a needle inside or something like that.  Thank you

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The tooth was on the upper-left side.  I guess I got a dry socket because I drank a McDonald's milk shake through a straw and because of the sucking motion, lost the clot.  The pain I have comes after I've drunk coffee (or anything hot), sometimes when I eat, and more often in the evening than during the day.  The pain is a dull but intense pain.  It's very deep and I found that when I massage the extraction site the pain diminishes.  I sometimes feel like it's all in my mind because the dentist is so sure the site is healed.  Could there be something wrong with the bone?  Thanks for your prompt response.
Pamela

Answer
One of the most prevalent problems of superior molar wisdom teeth extraction is the fracture of PART OF THE  ALVEOLAR BONE or the MAXILLARY TUBEROSITY (it is common because of the type of bone at this site; it is very soft)
I need a photo of an Xray of this site so i can help you more.
ALSO when you extract one tooth, it is also common that part of the dental root of teeth adjacent to the extracted tooth gets exposed. When this happens, you begin feeling pain after temperature changes. (Please try using SENSAID after tooth brush ... I really donīt know if at your country you can buy SENSAID but if there is not, try any kind of mouth rinse made of KNO3 and NaF.