Question re extractions & braces

[Klb]

Good morning all

I have a question about extractions and having my braces put on.

I am due to have them placed tomorrow at 11AM however I've noticed my jaw is swollen where i had a back molar surgically extracted Monday.

I have already called the orthodontist's office and let them know, If they leave it up to me to decide - would you still go through with the placement tomorrow? At this stage there is no pain, but i am using Panadol (general pain reliever)

Thanks

KB

[EWUgal15]

That really depends on you and your tolerance for pain and/or discomfort. Know that you will have your mouth open for a very long time and that could make your jaw ache. It might also aggravate the swelling. I had extractions 6 days before my braces went on and the braces didn't irritate the extraction sites at all or make my mouth feel any worse, so I say go for it. You're going to have to get used to the braces and the discomfort they can cause anyway...might as well get it out of the way sooner rather than later.

[Klb]

That's precisely my idea as well. I'd rather be a bit more uncomfortable have it finished quickly.

Thank you, they thought i had dry socket which was their main concern rather than a swollen jaw, so I just need to tell them I'd rather have them on tomorrow.

The worst pain is the several ulcers that have appeared. Ouch!

[oldfart]

Dry socket? They have to blow lots of air in your mouth to dry out your teeth.. That may be fun.

[Klb]

Hi

I don't think it's drysocket as my tooth does not actually hurt - it seems to be healing fine but my jaw is swollen.

[sirwired]

Painlessly swollen? If your cheek is looking like a chipmunk, CALL YOUR DENTIST NOW, AND PREPARE TO SEE HIM/HER TODAY. You possibly have an abscess at the extraction site, and if you do, it can be deadly if untreated.

Many years ago, I had painless swelling several months after a wisdom tooth extraction. It was in the middle of finals fo college, so I just waited a couple days until I got home and could see my regular dentist. When he walked in the room, he just about had a heart attack. He immediately diagnosed an abscess, drained it by stabbing it with a dental pick (ouch!) and then sent me to a periodontist who prescribed a simple course of antibiotics.

Turns out that the jaw muscle runs directly into your chest cavity, and if the abscess bursts internally instead into your mouth (yuck!) it can infect your heart. My dentist had lost a young patient several years back to an untreated abscess two weeks before he was due to be married.

I am not a dentist and can't actually diagnose you, but your symptoms describe what I had exactly.

[djspeece]

Some swelling postoperatively is to be expected as you know, and sirwired's case is a bit scary for sure but if I am reading correctly, it is something that built up over the course of several months (or perhaps occurred after several months, not exactly sure). Swollen lymph nodes on that side of your neck and under your jaw might be a reason for concern, and if a fever over 100 (per thermometer)might be a better indicator a possible problem. Your orthodontist can quickly figure out if this is normal mild swelling or an indicator of something more serious.

[Klb]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I had my orthodontist appointment this morning and my braces were put on. My jaw swelling went down a lot overnight and was hardly noticeable today.

I have no pain from the braces besides these awful ulcers that I have had since the extractions.

Any tips? I've tried salt, salt rinses, bonjela, sm33, nothing is helping and I'm in agony. My top canine bracket is resting on it which is making it worse. I've got wax on FYI.

[sirwired]

Well, I'm glad the swelling was nothing serious...

On the ulcers: For mine, I "debrided" them with a generic version of Gly-Oxide, a 10% Carbamide Peroxide rinse. After toothbrushing, etc., was complete, I also treated with Rincinol, a combination of Glycerin, Aloe, and a few other things that helps soothe the ulcers. Beyond that, it just takes time. After they heal a little bit I recommend wax only during the day (to protect your cheeks and lips during talking, chewing, etc.) but not during the night. (Your mouth moves a little during the night, not enough to make the ulcers worse, but enough to form calluses.)