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Suggest Treatment For Sinus Drainage And Swelling Post Molar Extraction

Posted on Wed, 29 Apr 2015

Question: I had an upper molar extracted almost two weeks ago. To close the extraction site due to it leaving a large opening into my sinus cavity, the dentist cut a flap out of my cheek and sutured it over the opening. I have taken a round of antibiotics and a z pack to no avail. Since then I have developed yellow, bitter sinus drainage, putrid breath and swelling now effecting my vision and swelling behind my ear. The whole upper side of my teeth are tender, some of the swelling is still present but is starting to become firm and very painful. I have been back to the dentist who says he will send me to an oral surgeon after the sutures are removed next week. He also states he cannot help with pain. The emergency room will not help because it is a dental problem. My PCP is out of pocket due to family reasons. I'm really worried this is becoming something bigger due to tenderness in the lymph node areas and joint pain.

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Tiwari (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Infection, Dry socket

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX ,

Thanks for consulting Healthcaremagic.
This is Dr. Priyanka Tiwari answering your query .

Read your query as you have yellow , bitter sinus drainage , putrid breath and swelling after extraction of molar tooth this might be you are getting a Dry socket . Dont be worried so much dry socket usulay appear week after extraction . See what happened is in dry socket there is foul odour , severe pain , swelling with low grade fever and lymphadenopathy (tenderness of lymph node).

For this I will suggest you to take proper course of antibiotic like Augmentin with Metronidazole and Analgesic like Ibugesic or Ketrol dt if you are not allergic .
- Do betadine gargle . Mild warm saline gargle .

Consult oral surgeon for irrigation of socket and obturant dressing with idoform gauze and Zinc oxide eugenol . Dressing should be change regularly . Usualy after visiting dentist regulary for dressing and irrigation you will feel better and healing will be faster . Extraction socket must keep clean with no food lodgement . Dont do hot formentation over swelling.

If you wont get releif aforementioned after one week then consult oral surgeon and get radiograph to rule out cause of pain and swelling .

Hope I have answered your query .
If you have furher query I will be happy to help.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Priyanka Tiwari (25 minutes later)

I knew I had a dry socket as I guess that's the reason it was closed using skin flap. I'm concerned about the swelling and pain that has continued to spread and get worse. Is there any way this can effect my lymph nodes?

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Tiwari (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Irrigation and ZoE pack

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX .

Welcome again .

Read your query pain and swelling will reduce by irrigation and obturant ZoE pack on Extraction socket . As far as lymph node is concerned see what happened is lymph node enlarges when there is infection symptoms of pain and swelling . So dont be worried so much but I will recommend you to consult oral surgeon for clinical examination of socket with proper irrigation and take proper course of antibiotics by consulting with doctor . If symptoms persists go for investigation Radiograph for evaluation of cause .

Hope I have answered your query .
If you have further query I will be happy to help.

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta