After Periodontal Surgery, Still Looks Infected

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Frank L - 25 Dec 2007 18:10 GMT

As you may recall, I had a fistula 2 weeks ago and had flap surgery 11
days ago, tooth 11, old root canal and post. No cracked root was found.
I had the stitches removed yesterday and aside from some swelling, it
looked fine. Before the pasking was removed, I thought I saw some white
part of the original abscess.

When the packing and stitches were removed, I looked in the mirror at
the office and didn't see it and at home last night all looked fine so I
was relieved. I woke up this morning and saw this...you can see a line
of white but it looks yellowish, in the same spot as original abscess or
fistula. I was on amoicillin for 10 days and have been on doxycycline
100 mg. for 9 days. He told me to rinse with peroxide a few times a day.
Can I still have an infection? It's Christmas so the dentist isn't there
and I am freaking out. Here is a picture I took just now, you can see
the white line at the margin...could it just be discolored tissue from
where it was? Why is it blooming today? Nothing seems to be leaking if I
press it (which I don't want to do since I am trying to leave it alone)
but yesterday I had a bad taste in my mouth. I have no periapical area
tenderness and original x-ray showed nothing there. I am at my wit's
end, please look at the picture and tell me what it could be..it looks
almost the same with a red margin:

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL83/532620/15499366/294746439.jpg

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Steven Bornfeld - 25 Dec 2007 21:23 GMT

> As you may recall, I had a fistula 2 weeks ago and had flap surgery 11
> days ago, tooth 11, old root canal and post. No cracked root was found.
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think it's a bit early to panic. There is a bit of gum recession
which is expected, and the connective tissue is just starting to form.
There may still be a bit of residual fibrin clot at this point.

Steve

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Frank L - 26 Dec 2007 02:20 GMT

Thanks as always. I remember you had said that if it's an abscess caused
by a root fracture, it may come back after discontinuing the antibiotic
(amoxycillin). I have been off that for 2 weeks so I am concerned that
something came back, even though it was determined that I didn't have a
fractured root.

As I said, I am on doxycycline but I don't think that works if this were
an infection from the old root canal, which is still my fear. I am also
wondering why neither dentist probed the fistula with a concurrent x-ray
to see where it's coming from, which was mentioned here and I keep
reading about. Who would do this? A periodontist, endodontist or general
dentist? I am wondering if I should still have this done if this spot
remains.

I do plan to go in tomorrow, or call and have him take a look at it. I
hope it is what you said, connective tissue...can that appear yellowish?
What bugs me out is that it's about in the same place as the fistula
was, only this time it's right at the margin where some gum was cut away
(I can see more of the gold on the crown).

Another question...maybe I am focusing on this since I have had this on
both sides before, but that side of my nose hurts at times. Can a sinus
infection present itself with a fistula on the gum as I had?

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Mark & Steven Bornfeld - 26 Dec 2007 15:14 GMT

> Thanks as always. I remember you had said that if it's an abscess caused
> by a root fracture, it may come back after discontinuing the antibiotic
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> dentist? I am wondering if I should still have this done if this spot
> remains.

Any of them should be able to do this, but you don't appear to have a
fistula at this point, and as the area has already been surgerized I
think it is well-established by now that the canine is the offending
tooth. Could there be other teeth involved in this lesion? I suppose
it is possible, but not likely. I'd wait for further healing from the
surgery to go looking for other problems.

> I do plan to go in tomorrow, or call and have him take a look at it. I
> hope it is what you said, connective tissue...can that appear yellowish?
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> both sides before, but that side of my nose hurts at times. Can a sinus
> infection present itself with a fistula on the gum as I had?

I suppose it is possible, but I haven't seen it. And your symptoms
sound more consistent with a dental problem.

Steve

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

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Newbie@bix.nex - 27 Dec 2007 21:47 GMT

OK dudette, seems to be a fibrin clot.

Keep on leaving it alone to heal.

Nothing seems to be leaking if I

>press it (which I don't want to do since I am trying to leave it alone)
>but yesterday I had a bad taste in my mouth. I have no periapical area
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL83/532620/15499366/294746439.jpg

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