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What Causes An Altered Sense Of Smell After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Posted on Mon, 22 Dec 2014

Question: Ever since a wisdom tooth extraction 3 months ago, I've had a chronic, daily bad smell in my nose, sinus pain and congestion. I express green pus mostly in the morning. Otherwise hard to blow nose since congestion is in forehead/high up in nose. I've gone through 3 rounds of antibiotics, which I'm not happy about, including the latest I'm taking clindomaycin. Nothing clears it up. Using a cool mist humidifier, taking sudafed every day to relieve the sinus pain and pressure, Claritin doesn't work, and I was told not to take nasacort. Trying to avoid last resort of surgery, any advice ? I'm usually pretty healthy and never had a sinus infection nor take this many meds.

Answered by Dr. Hariom Sharma (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Go for culture and antibiotic sensitivity

Detailed Answer:
Hi Madam,
I have gone through your query; and suggest you that you go for pus culture and antibiotic sensitivity for specific management by specific antibiotic.

Also suggests you that you may go for nasal wash with Netiwash once a day with systemic nasal decongestant such as Allegra M once in night.

In this condition to know exact extend of disease you may also go for CT scan paranasal sinuses.

Thanks

Wish you good health

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Hariom Sharma (38 minutes later)

Thank you for this! I actually did do CT scan with ENT recommendation (forgot to mention) and 2 cultures, last of which came up negative. I hear Chronic Sinusitis isn't really treatable with antibiotics, especially with a negative culture. CT scan showed a very small hole between mouth (root of other tooth) and sinus.

I'll try the netywash. I'll start taking Allegra instead of Sudafed, which I don't think is good for me to take every day.

Do you think I may have to go the surgery route given all of this? An ENT and oral surgeon have so far indicated this as a final option. I'm done with all the medicine and procedures, and usually heal very well on my own. Thus getting desperate.

Answered by Dr. Hariom Sharma (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Best option is surgey

Detailed Answer:
Hi Madam,
I have gone through your follow up query; and suggest you that better to go for the surgery because a very small hole between mouth (root of other tooth) and sinus is the main cause of your disease.

Thanks

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E