Hello everyone. Hope it’s okay I’m posting here as a patient. I got an extraction and implant with bone graft on #18 last week. The surgery itself was faster than I expected, surgeon seemed to be in a hurry ~ 20 minutes Afterwards he took x-rays and a MRI because he said it was close to the nerve. I was instructed to let him know about any numbness. Sure enough, there was still numbness in my lip/chin/gums. I return and he takes out the implant, does another bone graft, puts in a different implant - this one shorter and thicker - and stitches it up. This time it takes about 10 minutes.
I get home and can feel a loose thread, but I’m thinking maybe he didn’t trim the stitch? One stitch comes out that night and another the next day. Very tiny bits of bone have also been coming out. I didn’t think much of it at first because the assistant said stitches are supposed to come out naturally and it’s not bleeding anymore, so I didn’t think to mention on the quick follow-up call with the doctor the next day as I still have the numbness and soreness in my jaw (he said that’s to be expected, and he expects the numbness to resolve in a few weeks to a few months)
Today I discovered that there is a palpable flap of skin next to the site and there are actually no stitches remaining. I made an appointment 2 days from now at their nearby location. Not sure if I should drop everything to try to make in to their remote location tomorrow or if a day is going to make a difference.
Should I try to make it in ASAP? How is the flap usually fixed? How did he know he hit a nerve during the surgery? Does surgery usually go this fast? Should I go to a neurologist now? I don’t drink or smoke, followed aftercare as instructed. I was Rx’d amox & pain relief at first appt, methylprednisolone & vitamin d at second. I’m starting to lose confidence in the surgeon and I’m worried about long term effects. Any feedback appreciated, thanks.
