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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Hard Swelling Posterior To The Extraction Site On The Outer Aspect Of Gum Post Molar Extraction. Infection?

I had my upper molar extracted 5 days ago. I had no complications and hardly had to take anything for pain and swelling in the last 2 days....until tonight . Acutely I got a throbbing pain and took some advil ...it settled it slightly but still feel the pain. I now have noticed a hard swelling posterior to the extraction site on the outer aspect of my gum..about the size of a quarter....no real foul taste in my mouth but truthfully since the surgery it hasn t been the nicest taste in there...bloody medical taste. No pus that I can see. When I run my tongue over the extraction site it seems the same it always has been. I haven t drank from straws, am somewhat healthy, and a non smoker. When I gently press on this swelling it is quite painful. No fever. ?Infection vs ? dry socket. Now I have had dry sockets with my wisdom teeth and they were completely unbearable....this isn t completely unbearable but quite uncomfortable. (my dry sockets were a 10/10 and this is a 5/10 on a pain scale ...and interestingly I have delivered 2 children naturally with no epidural or drugs...haha) I called the surgeon, he told me to load up on the narcotic he prescribed me (which I haven t had to take as of yet post op...the advil was cutting the pain for me previously) and to see him in the morning... Your advice is appreciated .
Wed, 26 Dec 2012
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Dentist 's  Response
Hello,
Thanks for writing in.
I read your problem, as you provided the detail there are few possibilities-
1.Traumatic extraction.
2. Unsterlize environment during extraction.
3. cyst related to extracted tooth.
4.cheek biting after extraction.etc.........
So i will suggest you visit an oral surgeon as soon as possible and get the thorough examination done including x-rays.
After finding the cause take a proper treatment.
Nothing to get worried.
Take Care
Dr.Gunjan Gupta
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Dentist Dr. Neha Sumra's  Response
Hello
Welcome to HCM
I would suggest you few probabilities because its difficult to completely rule out without clinical examination.But it can be due to:-
-some remaining root stump left after extraction
-some bony spicule
-lack of sterilization
-residual cyst after extraction

You just take prescribed medicines by your dentist & do betadine gargles twice a day.
Consult your dentist for further query.

Take care
Regards
Dr.Neha
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Dentist Dr. Khushboo Bhatia's  Response
Hello,
It is a little difficult to come up with an exact diagnosis from what you describe, but, in general, a build up of pressure is often an indication of increased inflammation. That increased inflammation can be an infection or it may not. Of course, I don't know what postoperative medications you were prescribed or what instructions you were given, but if you have not been doing frequent warm salt water rinses, it is important to start them now. The warm salt water rinses causes the body to release built up fluids from either an infection or just inflammation.
So my suggestion is to use warm salt water rinses for 5 minutes 4-5 times a day. Place no heat or cold to the outside of your face. If after about a day you still have the same pressure, I suggest that you get back to the surgeon. If you have not been on antibiotics and the pressure continues then that should also, most likely, be prescribed.
I hope the frequent rinses release the pressure and you feel better soon.
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Dentist, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dr. Chaithanyaa Nemaly's  Response
Hi there...behind the upper third molar there is a normal bony prominence called the tuberosity...it is little swollen as compared to the regular architecture of the upper bone...dry socket is usually seen in the lower molars....dry socket in the upper molars is usually very rare or does not happen....there would have been a sharp bony spicule that would have remained in the socket soon after extraction...that would have been causing pain ....consult your doctor for further clinical examination....
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  Anonymous's Response
Anonymous's  Response
hiiii
since it is difficult to know about the condition/environment when you underwent extraction so the hard swelling & pain you are mentioning could be because of many reasons like incomplete removal of tooth, root stump or may be due to some cyst that might be related to the tooth.

it is advised that you consult your dentist for physical examination of the condition only then correct diagnosis can be made & further treatment can be done

meanwhile you can use warn saline rinse that would provide you symptomatic relive
  Anonymous's Response
Anonymous's  Response
Hello
Welcome to HCM

the swelling which you have mentioned can be either cos of some soft tissue or some hard tissue (bone/ root stump/ part of tooth left behind). so it will be better to get a radiograph/ xray done in order to rule out any of the above. consult your dentist and continue with the medicines till any definitive diagnosis is established.
take care

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Hard Swelling Posterior To The Extraction Site On The Outer Aspect Of Gum Post Molar Extraction. Infection?

Hello, Thanks for writing in. I read your problem, as you provided the detail there are few possibilities- 1.Traumatic extraction. 2. Unsterlize environment during extraction. 3. cyst related to extracted tooth. 4.cheek biting after extraction.etc......... So i will suggest you visit an oral surgeon as soon as possible and get the thorough examination done including x-rays. After finding the cause take a proper treatment. Nothing to get worried. Take Care Dr.Gunjan Gupta