Hi Bryanna,

Waiting really makes me nervous knowing it is there. Is there some reason not to schedule a flap surgery right away? Are there problems with the flap surgery that it is better to wait another week yet?

Thanks. Carol

Hi Carol,

I am the same way... if I think something is wrong, I generally get anxious to fix it! However, sometimes things do heal on their own and this may be one of those times. The only reason to wait is.... it may be "slowly" healing on it's own which means avoiding unnecessary surgery.

I would wait the two weeks as I said and revisit it if the salty taste does not clear on it's own within that time.

You know the perf is small, so the surgery would most likely be minimal if it comes down to doing that. Please try not to worry about it..... ~'.'~

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna,

Since it's been almost 5 weeks since the extraction, is it possible to heal on its own yet?

Would you ask for more antibiotics after the week's worth runs out? Do the antibiotics really help?

Thanks! Carol

Carol,

Everyone heals differently. Perforations in the sinus from a tooth extraction can heal slowly for many reasons and take months to heal completely. One is bacteria may have been at that site and prevented it from healing faster in the first place... secondly the immune system plays a part in healing everything and diet along with medicines and medical conditions can slow the healing process also.

The salty taste is the biggest symptom or indicating factor that the perf has not closed. But if that is slowly diminishing, then it indicates the opening is closing. If that is the case, then you probably won't need another round of antibiotics. If the salty taste is not diminishing and/or you develop pressure in your sinuses, then you would need to have the oral surgeon re-evaluate it.

Bryanna

Hi,

I had my wisdom teeth removed in july. Both my sinuses were perforated and they decided to perform surgery again to close the holes (on monday). I haven't sneezed or haven't blown my nose since. I take my medication carefully, but since yesterday I started tasting that salty fluid again. I almost started to cry, I had really hoped I'd never have to experience that taste again in my life. Now my worry is that the surgery failed. Or should I just be more patient. I know 5 days is ashort time to heal, but I've been running around with this for almost two months and it's really getting to me.

Hi sushitastic,

That salty taste is indicative of a communication between the sinuses and the mouth/throat. One thing that could have happened is the collagen membrane used during the surgery to close the hole has shifted causing a slight opening again. However, the hole could still close on it's own.

Do you smoke? If so, then this alone could cause a disruption in the surgical healing. Are you rinsing with mouthwash? If so stop and rinse only with warm salt water to keep the surgical areas clean. Have you been drinking threw a straw? Do you have sinus congestion and/or post nasal drip? Sometimes a salty taste comes from the sinus fluid dripping down the back of the throat.

When do you see your dentist for a post op visit?

Bryanna

Hi,

I'm not a smoker. The ENT didn't say anything about using a collagen membrane. Is it possible he did the surgery without the membrane?

I went tot the doctor because it really started hurting and I got a fever too. She prescribed me other antibiotics (stronger) cause I have an infection. I haven't sneezed or blown my nose and I haven't used a straw either. I can feel the air going through sometimes when I speak or breathe so there's definitely a hole.

greets

Hi sushitastic,

So your sinus perf was repaired by an ENT dr and not an oral surgeon? Generally, since the sinus tissue is too delicate to suture, a piece of collagen membrane is placed over the sinus perf to encourage the hole to close. Did you have a sinus infection at the time of the surgery?

If you are feeling air when you speak, then yes, there is definitely an opening. What did your dr recommend that you do?

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna,

The hole in the gum did close now. I'm still having the air escaping and runny nose. The runny nose has somewhat improved. The air escaping seems to be the same as it was. The salty taste is a lot less now, though still seems to be there a little. A regular dentist did the i cat scan. He's going to send it to a radiologist to look at it at a dental college. It will take a week to get the results. If the gum is closed is there still much chance for infection? If they find something needs to be repaired, can they still go in through the gum to put a membrane on the sinus after 2 months? Do you think this is something that could still heal on its own?

Thanks! Carol

Hi Carol,

I don't know if this is your case or not but sometimes the gum tissue looks completely closed but still has a pinhole opening. Even a slight opening the size of a thread could cause the same symptoms as a perf.

I think it's a good idea to have a radiologist look at the scan. If there is an opening, surgery may or may not be an option right now as the dentist may want to give it some more time. The type of surgery to close a sinus perf depends on the location of the opening.

It sounds like things are improving...... so hopefully a little more time is all that is needed!!

Keep us posted on how you're doing.
Bryanna