Q: I had a tooth extraction and bone graft yesterday and have been very careful not to disturb the area or rinse, etc. The tooth was an infected molar very close to the sinus. The dentist used ground cadaver bone and covered it with a membrane. This morning all seemed fine, but now there is a lot of white stuff hanging down from the hole where the tooth was. It looks like all the stuff put in the socket is just falling out and I’m afraid to close my mouth or eat for fear of losing all of it. I touched the stuff a little with my tongue to try and push it back in and it’s sticky, not grainy as I would expect bone to be. I also don’t see any blood or red stuff like I’d expect with a clot. My dentist’s office is closed and it may take a few days to get me in. Is there anything to be done in the meantime?
A: Your dentist must have a answering service or a way to deal with emergencies. I would suggest calling and explaining to the treating doctor exactly what you have described here on this forum. They know what procedure was performed and how to deal with this episode. You should insist on being seen, or if necessary, see another doctor such as an oral surgeon as soon as possible.
Obviously, don’t eat on the side of surgery and try not to sneeze. Follow your post-operative instruction sheet (hopefully you got one) and remain on the prescribed antibiotics until you are seen. Please go as soon as possible. Don’t delay.
