Dentist Issue

KEROUAC1957

I joined a new dentist and had to have a tooth extracted but as the dentist said it would be a difficult extraction he referred me to another bigger practice. They removed the tooth and it was quite quick and painless (bout 10 mins) but later I had quite a bit of pain. Also they didn't remove the swab from where the tooth was removed and I removed it when I got home. My wife who used to be a dental assistant said they should have removed it and made sure it was not bleeding. Another thing was I could actually still feel a fairly large piece of tooth was still there and my wife had a look and also said the same.

So I went back to the dentist and he examined it and said I had "dry socket" which is caused when the blood clot doesn't form or is dislodged (was this because of the swab by any chance?). When I mentioned the piece of tooth that was still there he looked alarmed and said "No don't touch that. It's not tooth it's part of your jaw bone" He then went on to explain the parts of the jaw. He then packed it out with a special healing dressing.

So I went home thinking the dentist knows best. But the pain returned some days later along with a bad infection type taste and I thought of going back but felt that I should just see if it heals by itself. It still felt like a piece of tooth sticking out. So about two weeks later after putting up with some pain and discomfort. Guess what?

The piece of tooth (jawbone) came out at the weekend and now it feels much better. Now I Imagine I would know if I'd lost part of my jawbone so my question is this. How does a dentist not know the difference between a piece of tooth and a jawbone? Also does this sound negligent?

ripplyuk

Was it definitely a piece of tooth and not bone sequestra?

I was sent home biting down on a dressing after my extraction. I was told to keep it in for 30 mins and to ring them if bleeding didn't stop. Is that the swab you mean?

You have my sympathies with the dry socket. It's one of my worst fears!

justme111

By what you describing it is indeed likely to be piece of bone. It was sore because it was not covered by the gum. Once that poece necrotised and fallen out it stopped hurting. And no it is not due to you being sent home with a swab.

KEROUAC1957

Hi thanks for the replies. I looked up bone sequestra and i see that it could have been this he was referring to. He didn't mention loose bone and seemed to be talking about the fixed part of the jawbone which is what I thought he was saying it was. If it was loose bone couldn't he have removed it as it was sticking out?

The other point about the swab was that I had an hours journey home so maybe it was in too long.

FBaby

I'm not an expert, but from I've been told, and having experienced the same thing than you, I think you did all the wrong thing as I did!

I was told NOT to remove the swab because it allowed for the healing to take place and the blood clot to form. Not only did I also took it out early, but I started to 'poke' the area with my tongue....sure enough, the clot didn't form properly (or got dislodge) and I expected the worse possible pain (dry socket). I too had a piece of bone coming out and was told it was normal.

I learned my lesson though and when I had tooth extracted, I did exactly as I was told and sure enough, no pain at all!

robotrobo

KEROUAC1957 wrote: »

I joined a new dentist and had to have a tooth extracted but as the dentist said it would be a difficult extraction he referred me to another bigger practice. They removed the tooth and it was quite quick and painless (bout 10 mins) but later I had quite a bit of pain. Also they didn't remove the swab from where the tooth was removed and I removed it when I got home. My wife who used to be a dental assistant said they should have removed it and made sure it was not bleeding. Another thing was I could actually still feel a fairly large piece of tooth was still there and my wife had a look and also said the same.

So I went back to the dentist and he examined it and said I had "dry socket" which is caused when the blood clot doesn't form or is dislodged (was this because of the swab by any chance?). When I mentioned the piece of tooth that was still there he looked alarmed and said "No don't touch that. It's not tooth it's part of your jaw bone" He then went on to explain the parts of the jaw. He then packed it out with a special healing dressing.

So I went home thinking the dentist knows best. But the pain returned some days later along with a bad infection type taste and I thought of going back but felt that I should just see if it heals by itself. It still felt like a piece of tooth sticking out. So about two weeks later after putting up with some pain and discomfort. Guess what?

The piece of tooth (jawbone) came out at the weekend and now it feels much better. Now I Imagine I would know if I'd lost part of my jawbone so my question is this. How does a dentist not know the difference between a piece of tooth and a jawbone? Also does this sound negligent?

does this sound negligent?
I would say a million pounds should cover it!, what do you think?, double it & tell him he pulled the wrong tooth out,:)

justme111

Well most likely bone would not been lose initially , it became lose later as body "sequestrated " it. And no , 1 hour or not srill dies not matter.

KEROUAC1957

So I should tear up my application to appear on Judge Rinder? But seriously thanks for the replies it's cleared up a lot of questions.

MichaelViscione

I advice you prefer a better dentist who understand your problem exactly.