Is it normal to have some sensitivity in the gums when eating, 2 months after extraction?

[B747Man]

Hello, so I posted here recently about a different issue, and as some of you may know, I had both of my upper canines extracted around NOV 22nd of last year due to breakage from decay and I am currently waiting to get a bone graft and implants done. At the time, I was told I needed a lot more work done and to eat soft foods with small bites. And so, for the most part, I have just been sticking to eating soup, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, hummus, and thin slices of cheese, as I am a picky eater and limited on the foodsI like, and have also been nervous to eat anything that requires much chewing. However, recently I went to another dentist, and he said I have some cavities in the four front teeth, but he said they could be taken care of with fillings, and I had one of them taken care of during the same visit, and he also didn't think I need ot be too concerned with what I eat. Today, for the first time since the extractions, I decided to have something try something a little more substantial and had a frozen mac and cheese dinner, which I put in the microwave. When I was eating it, though, there would sometimes be some minor discomfort in the area near the extraction sites when I would bite down on the pasta, like a little soreness from the pressure of chewing.

So I am just curious if you think it would be normal to still have some minor discomfort when chewing stuff like that near the extraction site at the 2-month mark? Like I said, I have been eating some thin slices of cheese since then, and for the most part, I don't notice any issues with it, but also the pasta is a little thicker and more chewy, and since this is my first time eating it, I am not sure if it's normal.

Thanks

 

[MattKW]

When taking out canines, it leaves a big hole and bony expansion that takes 3 months to heal fully, so I wouldn't be concerned.
However, I am concerned that you are still getting new decay yet you're planning implants. A high-risk caries patient should not be getting implants unless they have excellent oral hygiene and diet. An assessment of why you're getting decay would be my next step, not going straight to implants.

 

[B747Man]

When taking out canines, it leaves a big hole and bony expansion that takes 3 months to heal fully, so I wouldn't be concerned.
However, I am concerned that you are still getting new decay yet you're planning implants. A high-risk caries patient should not be getting implants unless they have excellent oral hygiene and diet. An assessment of why you're getting decay would be my next step, not going straight to implants.

Hi Matt, thank you for the reply. I'm not quite sure what you mean by new decay, as I'm pretty sure the other cavities were already there; it's just that I had bad oral hygiene before and hadn't been to the dentist in a long time, and the cavities in the canines got to the point that caused the teeth to break when eating which was the wakeup call I needed to get to a dentist finally. Also, I don't have the best diet, but my oral hygiene has gotten better, though it's not perfect. Also, the second dentist suggested a bridge as an option, which I'm pretty sure the first one never did. The issue I have now, though, is that some of the surrounding teeth have maybe shifted a little bit, as some of the top and bottom teeth touch each other easily in that area. I was given a stayplate to wear, but I only got it 3 weeks after the extraction, and I have had trouble wearing it because I have autism, and it feels overwhelming when wearing it. If I can, I would prefer to go with a bridge instead, as it might help with the bite issue with the teeth touching, since they will have to shape the anchor teeth anyway or at the very least extract the tooth that is hitting the most and use the bridge for that one as well. I am also concerned if a bridge is really a viable option, as the second dentist didn't take X-rays of all the teeth, but just the one that he worked on, as he is a low-cost type of dentist. So I'm not sure how he would know that the surrounding teeth are suitable enough to be used as anchors. They don't feel loose in any way, and besides the cavities, which he says can be filled, they don't have other issues as far as I'm aware.

 

[MattKW]

It won't be possible to replace canines with fixed bridges because the teeth either side simply won't tolerate the forces. Canine teeth take a lot of lateral forces and can also be risky to replace with implants. You might have to spend more money to get opinions that are more realistic and take into account your personal situation. I can't give too much advice from here without seeing photos, Xrays, etc but I'd suggest you seek out a prosthodontist for a specialist opinion.

 

[B747Man]

It won't be possible to replace canines with fixed bridges because the teeth either side simply won't tolerate the forces. Canine teeth take a lot of lateral forces and can also be risky to replace with implants. You might have to spend more money to get opinions that are more realistic and take into account your personal situation. I can't give too much advice from here without seeing photos, Xrays, etc but I'd suggest you seek out a prosthodontist for a specialist opinion.

Thank you for the help; however, I unfortunately don't really have more money to spend to get other opinions or treatment. I don't know why the other dentist would recommend a bridge, though if it is not really an option for that spot. I guess I figured I could go to him to have him do the bridge since he has good prices, then try to get a refund from the original dentist, but yeah, it sounds like that wouldn't work. Unfortunately, I am now left in a spot where the opposing tooth to the top premolar keeps hitting it throughout the day, and I don't know if anything can be done about it. Do you think it would be possible to have a root canal done on the tooth and a crown put on that is shorter than the original tooth structure, so that the teeth won't hit so easily? Since I am only eating soft foods it doesn't hit hard but I only have to move my mouth slightly and I can feel it hit and while it not painful it very uncomfortable. I know that might not be the ideal solution but I'm not sure what else to do as I can't afford braces and it would take time to correct with them and it can feel overwhelming.

 

[MattKW]

I'm not sure I understand this. Do you mean the lower premolar is hitting the upper premolar or hitting the gum where the canine was removed?
Do you have all your molars still in place?
Could you take a photo of what you mean about how they hit together? Thanks.