I had a wisdom tooth removed recently. I was told I may experience some nasal discomfort as my tooth had affected the sinus wall. Since I have had my tooth extracted, I can feel air travelling through my gum to where my tooth was and also I feel that my food may be able to travel through my nasal pasage. Is this normal and how long does it take to heal?
Thank you.
Joe in Alabama
Joe,
I’d report back to your dentist or oral surgeon what you’re experiencing. You have a perforation of your sinus from your wisdom tooth socket. It wouldn’t be accurate to call it “normal,” but it’s not uncommon. The roots of upper wisdom teeth can sometimes lie right against the sinus wall, and that wall can be very thin and can sometimes perforate very easily. I would ask the dentist to place something over the hole to help it heal faster. It will probably heal in a couple of weeks anyway, but you’re right that there is a risk there with it open. You have to be very careful not to blow your nose or put any pressure on that delicate membrane as it heals, or you’ll just keep rupturing it and it may take very long to heal. I’d rather see them pack the socket with gelfoam and slide a piece of gum tissue over the hole to help it heal.
– Dr. Hall
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About David A. Hall
Dr. David A. Hall was one of the first 40 accredited cosmetic dentists in the world. He practiced cosmetic dentistry in Iowa, and in 1990 earned his accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is now president of Infinity Dental Web, a company in Mesa, Arizona that does advanced internet marketing for dentists.
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