Expectation of formal complaint about dental treatment

Careful_with_that_Axe

Professionals are not infallable - they make mistakes just like the rest of us.

Toothsmith

True enough.

I've not disagreed with you about your ultimate need for antibiotics Careful, but it does seem an extreme reaction to a usually simple problem.

Even if you 'knew' it would blow up like that, prescribing them in the first instance would have been the wrong thing to do.

Careful_with_that_Axe

Ahhhh, I think I may not have made myself clear. Antibiotics were refused even when cellulitic fissure had grown from 1mm to 2cm in the space of 24 hrs and was still spreading (tell-tale red markings shooting out from it) - it clearly wasn't gonna heal on its own by that point when I have compromised immune system.

BTW, Toothsmith, you happen to know roughly how long patients in your area wait with an urgent referral? These are unfamiliar circumstances to me and I am happier dealing with things when I have some information/opinion iyswim. Not that I'm a control freak or owt .........
I do appreciate your input - I've only ever seen helpful, informative and well thought out posts from you so respect your opinion.

coldstreamalways

Careful, are you taking bisphosphonates? You don't have to reveal in public but these drugs (for bone density issues amongst many other problems) are a hornets nest with any jaw problems.

Urgent referrals I would expect to be seen within 2 weeks, hope that helps, and hope your pain is gone!!

Careful_with_that_Axe

Thank you for that. Yes, pain is much, much better.
Yup, been on Alendronic Acid for quite a few years. Is ca associated with this or just other jaw problems do you happen to know?
Am happy dealing with this from intellectual pov rather than emotional - info is neutral - depends on you what you do with it iyswim.

Toothsmith

coldstreamalways wrote: »

Careful, are you taking bisphosphonates? You don't have to reveal in public but these drugs (for bone density issues amongst many other problems) are a hornets nest with any jaw problems.

Urgent referrals I would expect to be seen within 2 weeks, hope that helps, and hope your pain is gone!!

Good Call!!!!!

Bisphosphonates - that hadn't occured to me!

Had your dentist taken a medical history Careful ? Was that on it?

That would explain an awful lot, and yes, you should have been on antibiotics sooner when you went back with the increased swelling. Starngely enough, Viagra is also something prescribed to counteract the bad effects of bisphosphonates and bone problems.

Increased risk of bone cancers isn't the problem Careful it's a problem called bone necrosis. Basically areas of bone dying off.

Bisphosphonates are given to people for various reasons, but one of the most common is osteoporosis - esp early onset.

It is concentrated where the bone is changing most, and it (I think) interferes with the way the bone is broken down, so that it preserves the bone where you're losing it from.

But, another area where the bone changes a lot is around your mouth, due to all the forces on the teeth.

This means that if the bone of your jaw is damaged, for any reason, it can have quite an extreme effect on it.

For this reason, it is VITAL that people going onto bisphosphonates really make sure their teeth are in tip top condition prior to going onto them. Sadly, this is something that Drs fail to tell patients most of the time.

Those who have ever been on intravenous bisphosphonates are at the highest risk of this oral bone necrosis (That tends to be some chemotherapy treatments or very severe osteoporosis).

Those taking bisphosphonates in tablet form won't become 'at risk' of these problems for about 4-5 years, but after that, it might well be safest to be referred into hospital for any extractions.

Keep your teeth in good condition if you're on bisphosphonates, and always make sure your dentist knows if you're on them.

Careful_with_that_Axe

LOL! I have sommat to look forward to then! Does it work on females??!

Yes, gave dentist full history. Don't think she's the brightest medically though as she has been trying to persuade me to go on a skiing holidat despite my using crutches to walk and various other braces and accessories *sarcastic eye smiley"

Have firtled about a bit and (I am not jumping to conclusions and it's down to the consultant to diagnose) all symptoms I have appear to suggest Osteonecrosis.
If it is it'll be another bleedin rare thing I get! lol

coldstreamalways

*secretly pleased with myself for noticing*

To be honest, I only treat peple with tip top medical histories so I'm not too hob on the old osteonecrosis but it's becoming much more widely researched with regard to dentistry etc. One of the problems is that it's not an infection per se, but as toothsmith said, it's to do with metabolism and deposition of new bone.

Anyway, glad pain is better and you are on a path to sorting things out. Good luck.

Careful_with_that_Axe

Yes, mega gold stars for that - it all suddenly fell into place. Lots of Karma to you!
When I was firtling about, I noticed there was a case in New York against the manufacturers of ALendronic Acid in a case of Osteonecrosis - no I'm not saying I'm a litigious person, it just sortta adds weight to the theory that there may be a link in my case.

As I said before, from a clinic interest pov, I'll post back findings after consultation,
And, thank you very much again!

jugglebug

Toothsmith wrote: »

Good Call!!!!!



Those taking bisphosphonates in tablet form won't become 'at risk' of these problems for about 4-5 years, but after that, it might well be safest to be referred into hospital for any extractions.

Keep your teeth in good condition if you're on bisphosphonates, and always make sure your dentist knows if you're on them.

my local hospital doesnt want to know if the patient is only on oral bisphosponates as the risk is deemed to be small. They just burble some stuff about chlorhexidine, antibiotics and give us a shout if you have problems