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I had two upper and lower pre-molars extracted on Monday. And that whole day and the next day I was in great shape. Than Tuesday night around midnight, I started having extreme pain. I just chalked it up to normal recovery. But now I sit on day 5 still in extreme pain. That's when I knew something was up.
So I went into the Dentist who did my extractions, and he put some gunk in two of my lower pre-molars where the pain was. He said if the pain went away with him putting the medicine in there it probably was "Dry Sockets". So if anyone who has had this before could give me some insight as to what I'm in for. And how long I'm going to have this gunk in. Also how long recovery is.
The stuff taste absolutely disgusting. Not only has the week been hell from the pain, but now I have this nasty gross taste in my mouth and can't eat anything without tasting the medicine too. I just want to feel better and live a normal life again. And to top things off I think my Orthodontist put my wire on as tight as he could possibly put it on because that is causing major discomfort as well. Sorry for all the whining, this week has made me wonder why the heck I agreed to all of this to begin with!
I replied in your story thread, too, but yes, I've also had dry socket. Same, exact situation as you, except it was a wisdom tooth, not a premolar. The stuff they put in there is NASTY, NASTY, NASTY, but it works wonders! I can't remember how long I had it in - maybe a week or so, and then had to go back for them to take the packing/gauze out. When it came out it was BLACK! Ugh, so gross... But it did the trick. Do you also have bruising and swelling? I did - I had no jawbone, and that whole area was a grody greenish-yellow color. I didn't realize I was still bruised when I went back to work, and was wondering why everyone was looking at me funny. Your recovery after the infection clears up will be fine.
I've never experienced dry sockets personally but I learned about it in the waiting room of the oral surgeon. A women came in while I was waiting. She was crying and couldn't even speak. The women who accompanied her had to talk with the receptionist. They took her in immediately so my wait was a bit longer. She came out 10 minutes later and was dry eyed and able to speak. I was freaked out and asked the receptionist what that was all about and she said "dry sockets, we will talk about how to prevent that when you see the surgeon". Needless to say, I was extrememly careful after my extractions and luckily all turned out well. Dry sockets are really painful...sorry to hear you had to go through that.
Getting on with my life: Step 3. Complete Metal Mouth Top and Bottom
Im sorry for what youre going through as if getting the extractions wasn't bad enough. I had seven teeth pulled and was scared to death of that wicked dry socket. I hope you recover soon just hang in there.
I had a dry socket about two months ago. Lasted a good 5 days. I went to the dentist and he packed some nasty medicinal stuff in there. Did the trick but it didn't last. I ended up having to pack it twice daily with lidocaine jelly and gauze. Excruciating. Lots of motrin and a little lortab too. Anyway, good thing is that in most people it goes away within a week so you are on the down hill slope now.
I hear whats good for it is clove oil or something like it. Don't know, didn't try it. Anyway good luck.
P.S To bedazzlemouth:
The singular for a female is woman
The plural is women.
Not being petty, just hate reading/listening to/speaking poor english. Yes I know its a message board and not an english class so please take no offense. Just a little of my mild OCD.
Thanks for all the replies. Yesterday was SO much better. I go back in tomorrow to the oral surgeons office. And I'm guessing he is going to pack the holes again. I can't believe how much relief it gave me. I actually got my first good night's sleep on Friday. Hadn't slept good all week. The medicine is disgusting, but it's definitely better than being in pain.
I replied in your story thread, too, but yes, I've also had dry socket. Same, exact situation as you, except it was a wisdom tooth, not a premolar. The stuff they put in there is NASTY, NASTY, NASTY, but it works wonders! I can't remember how long I had it in - maybe a week or so, and then had to go back for them to take the packing/gauze out. When it came out it was BLACK! Ugh, so gross... But it did the trick. Do you also have bruising and swelling? I did - I had no jawbone, and that whole area was a grody greenish-yellow color. I didn't realize I was still bruised when I went back to work, and was wondering why everyone was looking at me funny. Your recovery after the infection clears up will be fine.
I hope you're feeling tons better soon!
-Cathy
Cathy- I actually didn't get any bruising anywhere. I was a teeny bit swollen. But so minute that I'm probably the only one who even noticed it. Thank Goodness! And YES the medicine is gross!! At least it works!
bedazzlemouth wrote:I've never experienced dry sockets personally but I learned about it in the waiting room of the oral surgeon. A women came in while I was waiting. She was crying and couldn't even speak. The women who accompanied her had to talk with the receptionist. They took her in immediately so my wait was a bit longer. She came out 10 minutes later and was dry eyed and able to speak. I was freaked out and asked the receptionist what that was all about and she said "dry sockets, we will talk about how to prevent that when you see the surgeon". Needless to say, I was extrememly careful after my extractions and luckily all turned out well. Dry sockets are really painful...sorry to hear you had to go through that.
WOW that lady must have been in bad shape! I mean YES it was definitely painful but I still ran errands, picked up my daughter from school, and than decided that maybe it was a good idea to swing by the dentists office!
chocomorsel wrote:I had a dry socket about two months ago. Lasted a good 5 days. I went to the dentist and he packed some nasty medicinal stuff in there. Did the trick but it didn't last. I ended up having to pack it twice daily with lidocaine jelly and gauze. Excruciating. Lots of motrin and a little lortab too. Anyway, good thing is that in most people it goes away within a week so you are on the down hill slope now.
I hear whats good for it is clove oil or something like it. Don't know, didn't try it. Anyway good luck.
P.S To bedazzlemouth:
The singular for a female is woman
The plural is women.
Not being petty, just hate reading/listening to/speaking poor english. Yes I know its a message board and not an english class so please take no offense. Just a little of my mild OCD.
That's what my cousin said as well about it lasting for a week or so. She use to be an assistant to an Oral Surgeon. She said I will probably have to go in two more times to have them pack it! FUN!
I can now say that I can join the dry socket club.
I started feeling a dull ache on my top right side. Called the oral surgeon and went in this morning. I have a mild case of dry socket in my upper left. I am a bit disappointed because I did everything right but the oral surgeon said that gravity is sometimes to blame.
Metal brackets & 4 bands on May 12, 2011
4 Premolars Extracted on May 20, 2011
Fully braced on May 25, 2011
My sentence - 24 to 30 months
TinkB- I'm so so sorry to hear you got one. I would never wish it on anyone. I just got mine packed for the second time yesterday and the packing came out of both holes today. So now I sit in minor pain only after taking two percocet. I think I'm gonna get over my stubbornness and go back in tomorrow to have them pack the holes again. I think unless I want to be in pain I have to forget about eating real food for awhile.
I hope yours heal fast and without lots of pain. Hope you're doing okay!
Your recovery after the infection clears up will be fine.
I hope you recover soon just hang in there.
And YES the medicine is gross!! At least it works! 
