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What Causes Jaw Infection Post Extraction Of Wisdom Tooth?
Hello, my wife had an extraction of her wisdom tooth. After that, ... broken jaw, after her CT scan ordered by 2nd opinion oral surgeon. She had infection of the jaw , which became to be systemic. First oral surgeon treated her for dry socket for almost for 3 months ( ???). She had to have PIC line installed for 6 weeks ordered by infect specialist, to fight infection. Suggestion of the first doctor was also to having the teeth closed together for up to 6 weeks to promote healing . Two other specialists said , it was not necessary. The first surgeon right now is blaming Fosamax which my wife took in the past. For 5 + months before oral surgery, she did not take that medication.We are thinking, that in this particular time, doctor does not want to take responsibility for his mistake. She suffered so much, for so many months, because he was not on top of the problem. Do not you think oral surgeon should have in intake form information about ( a specially women ) and extra information about Fosamax ?
Tue, 19 Apr 2016
Hello,
I am sorry for the trouble you went through regarding a wisdom tooth extraction which is a very routine procedure in dental clinic. However, I would like to point out two things after reading your description.
First, even if mandible fracture is a common complication of third molar extractions, it could be prevented by careful study of the x-ray/CT scan. There must be a very thin volume of bone between tooth and our border of mandible. If x-ray/CT scan was taken after extraction, fracture line could have been detected and 3 months could have been saved that were spent in dry socket treatment. For future reference in case you need it, dry socket does not take three months to heal if antibiotics are started within 3-5 days of extraction.
Second, Fosamax is an alendronate which belongs to Bis-phosphonate group. It is specifically given to patients prone to osteoporosis (a disease of bone where bones become weak and susceptible to fracture) to make bones stronger and prevent fractures. Postmenopausal women are usually prone to this disease. So if your wife was taking Fosamax, it would have made her bones stronger and not prone to fracture. I intend to say that there is no way Fosamax could be blamed for the fracture.
The sequences you have followed after fracture seem okay and your wife must be feeling better now.
I hope this information helps you. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic and trusting us with your problem. I wish your wife gets well soon.
Best regards,
Dr. Viraj Shah
I am sorry for the trouble you went through regarding a wisdom tooth extraction which is a very routine procedure in dental clinic. However, I would like to point out two things after reading your description.
First, even if mandible fracture is a common complication of third molar extractions, it could be prevented by careful study of the x-ray/CT scan. There must be a very thin volume of bone between tooth and our border of mandible. If x-ray/CT scan was taken after extraction, fracture line could have been detected and 3 months could have been saved that were spent in dry socket treatment. For future reference in case you need it, dry socket does not take three months to heal if antibiotics are started within 3-5 days of extraction.
Second, Fosamax is an alendronate which belongs to Bis-phosphonate group. It is specifically given to patients prone to osteoporosis (a disease of bone where bones become weak and susceptible to fracture) to make bones stronger and prevent fractures. Postmenopausal women are usually prone to this disease. So if your wife was taking Fosamax, it would have made her bones stronger and not prone to fracture. I intend to say that there is no way Fosamax could be blamed for the fracture.
The sequences you have followed after fracture seem okay and your wife must be feeling better now.
I hope this information helps you. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic and trusting us with your problem. I wish your wife gets well soon.
Best regards,
Dr. Viraj Shah
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