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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Friday, February 10, 2012
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Friday, February 10, 2012
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Face and Jaw Surgery |
Sequestra - but, why?02/02/2010 |
My oral/dental health is quite good. I go for cleanings/exams 2x/yr. I have a few fillings, but no real problems. I am 45yrs old. About a month ago, a piece of sharp bone began to break through the gum on my lower jaw, tongue side, and below my (still-present) 3rd molars. I visited my dentist, who identified it as a bone or tooth shard, but seemed puzzled and concerned since I have no extractions in that area. He did not know why this would happen. An x-ray of the area showed nothing abnormal. I was referred to an oral surgeon. Before I could get there, a very small flake of what looked like bone broke off. The area seemed to be healing nicely. Now, I can feel another bony ridge rising under the gum - right on the edge of where the piece came out. I think another piece is coming out and I am frantic. Called my dentist again, he still has no answers for why this would happen. I am going to follow-up with the oral surgeon, but if you can give me any info in the interim, I would be grateful. Why is my jaw falling apart? Should I go to the ER or a dental equivalent? Aside from the mystery about the cause - the actual problem is relatively minor. No pain, no swelling. Everything looks ok except for small point of bone coming through. Yikes - this is scary.
It would be hard to opine without understanding your medical history and a clinical exam. I would urge you to seek counsel with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. I do not think your jaw is falling apart and would not panic about it until you totally understand what the problem might be.
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Deepak Krishnan, DDS Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Surgery College of Medicine University of Cincinnati |
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