AboutJoel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS Expertise I am a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon 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 practicing for over 20 years. Assistant Clincal Professor at State University School of Dentistry.
Organizations American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Question QUESTION: I got all four of my wisdom teeth out two weeks ago. I developed dry sockets in the bottom two and my dentist placed a packing in there for ten days. Three days ago he pulled those out and said I was on the road to recovery and only needed to rinse the bottom sockets out with an oral syringe after eating. On one side, it is extremely painful when I do this rinsing but not on the other side. Should I be concerned about this pain? The molar adjacent to the extraction site is also painful to bite down on. Should I be worried about any of this pain or will it all go away in time? Thank you!
ANSWER: Nicole - The dentist was totally incorrect in the way he treated the dry socket. Placing a packing in the socket and leaving it ten days does not allow or encourage healing. The doctor should have gotten you in the office every day or two for the first few days and irrigated the socket and replace the packing in the sockets. Gradually as the area heals, the packing and irrigation can be put off every 3, 4, etc. as it heals. Now, if you have pain, the doctor needs to irrigate your socket and pack it with dry socket medicated gauze.
So, tell the dentist he needs to help you and not just leave you alone to suffer. The socket needs to be irrigated and packed every couple of days until the pain is completely gone. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact me again.
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QUESTION: I do not have socket pain, but my teeth next to the sockets are very painful to chew on. Is that normal?
Answer Nicole - Of course without actually examining you it is difficult to tell you what is actually going on, but it is possible that the bone between the socket and the adjacent tooth is inflamed. It is also possible that the surgeon placed too much pressure and irritated the ligament of the adjacent tooth. Your dentist needs to fully evaluate what is going on. If he can not determine, you might have to see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
If you have any more questions, I am always available.
