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 My mother had her teeth pulled in order to get dentures.
The dentist noticed the lower gum is not healing right.
He said the jaw bone is protruding upward and he would have to go in and cut it down. My question: He wants to do this on the 10th and we are going on a 7 day cruise on the 13th, how much pain will she be in? My mother is 81 years old. Dentist said it is a very simple procedure. What is recommended?
Answer Lynette - If the dentist is knowledgeable and a skilled surgeon, your mother should be comfortable within a few days. The dentist will need to properly smooth the bone and place non-dissolving sutures to close the necessary gum wound. This will then require your mother going back about a week later for suture removal. The dentist may try to push dissolving sutures, but this is the wrong type in this case.
My real question is why the dentist did not smooth the bone initially. That is common practice from a knowledgeable surgeon, so I question is knowledge. You may wish for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon do the surgery to ensure a proper result.
I wish her well and hope whatever you decide she heals well.
