Antibiotics for a Tooth Infection, Dental Implant, Bone Graft

In this short, but highly informative video, I review some of the common truths and misconceptions about antibiotics in relationship to tooth infections, dental implants and bone grafting.

Are Antibiotics Required For Implants?

Use of antibiotics should be judicious and carefully thought out.  Just because you have an “infection” in your tooth, it does not mean you need an antibiotic.  Also, not all “infections” are actually infections.  Not all infections can be cured by antibiotics alone.

In fact if you are allergic to penicillin please click this link.  Being allergic to penicillin carries more risk for implants and bone grafting.  Amoxicillin is the most common antibiotic for a tooth infection.

Antibiotics are commonly needed for procedures that involved cutting through bone or addition of bone graft materials.  There is a limited supply of new blood vessels that can get your natural immune system’s protection in the first few days following a significant procedures such as a surgical extraction, a bone graft, sinus graft, apicoectomy and dental implants.

Antibiotics are extremely helpful in many situations.  I also discuss common questions such as antibiotic resistance and what happens with common stomach issues and what to do about them.

I think you will find this video helpful.  Please feel free to ask questions below.

Ramsey A. Amin, D.D.S.
Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology /Implant Dentistry
Fellow-American Academy of Implant Dentistry
Burbank, California


Video Transcription Antibiotics for Implants:

Hello Ramsey Amin, DDS here. Antibiotics are always a big topic of discussion and can antibiotics help my tooth? Do I need antibiotics before an extraction, after an extraction, before a bone graft, after a bone graft? There’s so many different times that we may need the benefit of antibiotics and perhaps sometimes we do not. Most often I receive a question online about a failing tooth that you were told is infected and needs to be removed. And a question arises, well, should I be on antibiotics? Most infections that are within teeth are oftentimes at the apex or the end of the root. They are oftentimes around a root canal tooth that is treatment plan for extraction because it’s fractured or a crown can not be made for it. And these infections, quote unquote, or inflammation are chronic in nature typically.

If your face isn’t swollen, there’s no pus draining, you don’t have a limited opening, a bad taste in your mouth, a fever, chills, night sweats. Most of the time antibiotics are not necessary until the tooth is removed and especially if a bone graft or a dental implant is placed at the same time. The antibiotics can be placed either in the IV, during IV sedation or taken orally by mouth as pills. But antibiotics are not a cure all. They do help to reduce bacterial counts and reduce infections that can occur. Infections can and do occur and just because you are on an antibiotic doesn’t mean that you will not get an infection. Most antibiotics have some degree of what we call broad spectrum nature where they do kill some bacteria of all different types. Amoxicillin and perhaps clindamycin are the most common. There are others such as augmentin, and Z packs, and other very strong medications such as metronidazole, flagyl, vancomycin ,that are not always necessary.

Some infections do get, or can get out of hand, depends on your own immune system. Other factors, do you take medications that can impair your immune system? Do you have HIV? There are many things that can cause antibiotics not to work and infections to get worse. If an infection gets worse, oftentimes the entire family of antibiotic needs to be switched from the amoxicillin, penicillin family to a clindamycin family perhaps, or what’s called a culture and sensitivity is done in order to determine, well, what kind of bacteria are here? Do we need to determined by a microbiological culture, basically some and grow them in a Petri dish and expose them to different antibiotics and see which one works best against this infection.

But antibiotics are needed for some patients. They do have side effects of course. They should be used conservatively, not too liberally. And they can also cause issues within the gut. Oftentimes a dose of probiotics or just simple daily four ounces of yogurt with acidophilus can help reduce the chance of getting a upset stomach from antibiotics. Antibiotics are always absorbed better with food than without food typically. But just keep in mind the antibiotics are not always needed. Your dentist is all ultimately going to tell you whether you need them or not and just be sure to follow through on schedule all the way through until they’re complete if you are placed on an antibiotic.

Sometimes only a preoperative antibiotic is needed, just a single dose at the beginning of an implant or a bone graft surgery. That’s typically done by IV in the IV sedation in the arm. A dose of antibiotics can be given then and sometimes there is not need for followup, but again, they are not always necessary on all extractions. Definitely on larger bone grafts and multiple implants. Even most single implants will require antibiotic therapy. They do not cure failing apicoectomy teeth or failing root canal teeth. They simply provide a patch or a temporary bandaid for seven to 21 days, perhaps, until definitive treatment can be done and it be taken care of. Thank you so much for watching.

251 thoughts on “Antibiotics for a Tooth Infection, Dental Implant, Bone Graft”

  1. After an external resorption of a lateral incisor (which had previously had a root canal), the dentist tried to preserve the tooth. After the procedure I developed a swollen roof of mouth with discharge for about six months. The tooth was eventually removed but the swelling and discharge continued. The dentist placed an implant which became immediately infected and needed to be removed. I was then diagnosed with chronic osteomyelitis of the maxilla and put on IV and oral antibiotics. After three weeks of antibiotics and removal of all bone graft material, there is still discharge from the roof of my mouth. Can this infection ever be resolved? And which antibiotics are likely to be most effective?

    Reply
    • Osteomyelitis in the maxilla (upper jaw) is relatively rare compared to other bones, but exact incidence rates can vary. It’s more commonly seen in the mandible (lower jaw)

      The best antibiotic test is usually a bacterial culture and sensitivity test, where a sample is cultured to identify the bacteria present, followed by testing different antibiotics to see which one is most effective against the identified bacteria.

      Risk factors for osteomyelitis include recent surgery or injury, a weakened immune system, diabetes, smoking, poor circulation, intravenous drug use, and pre-existing infections.

      Reply
  2. Had #3 and #14 grafted 6 days ago. On day 3 I noticed a strange burnt/rotten/metallic taste. Called my surgeon and he prescribed a mouth wash. This doesn’t seem to have helped at all. #3 graft is definitely more sore than #14. I told the surgeon I was concerned about infection and he assured me the odds were very slim since I’ve been on Clindamycin since the day of the procedure. Does this sound accurate? I’m going to see him Tuesday to take a look and have a constant dull ache 24/7. It seems most people are completely out of pain at this point and am very concerned. Could the weird taste just be from the screws that were placed?

    Reply
    • Unfortunately just because you are on clindamycin or any antibiotic for that fact it does not mean that you will not get an infection. It is possible that you just have delayed healing or that you do have a small infection. Have your dentist consider switching to a different antibiotic. Hope it gets better. Being in pain 24 hours a day 7 days a week is no fun.

      Reply
      • My oral surgeon refuses to give me antibiotics after the first day and I have been having a very strong, foul smell and taste emitting from my bone graft site and my cheek. He says the antibiotic was only needed on the first day as a prophylactic. What do I do? It is day 6 and my pain is a 10/10. He prescribed me narcotics and said that antibiotic is still not necessary. I want to get my bone graft out now.

        Reply
    • WHat is see in almost all of these posts by patients is that dentists keep telling people oh that doesn’t happen or it should be ok when it isn’t. Why do some dentists just brush off complaints of symptoms from people? How can you trust the dentist that tells you things are just fine when you tell them that they are not? Many dentists certainly want to listen when it is abpout how much you will be paying for the procedure, but really more dentists need to listen when their patients tell them they are not ok, or that they have a bad taste, etc, instead of saying it all looks fine don’t worry.

      Reply
  3. Two weeks ago, I had two old, badly infected root canals removed with bone graft placement. I had developed a fistula after 16 years. I received intraoperative IV antibiotics, the cadaver bone graft was soaked in antibiotic, and post-op Amoxicillin. I finished the antibiotic but I’m still experiencing unilateral headache, neck glands swollen, left sinus pain, and a foul taste. The incision line is also not approximated but was assured this was normal. Called twice, assured everything was fine with the graft but Doc ordered Levaquin for seven days. I have not started the new antibiotic because I am allergic to Avalox (severe panic attack after two doses). I’m scared to take it. What would be a good alternative antibiotic?

    Reply
  4. Hi Doctor Ramsey,
    I had bone graft done 4 weeks ago with titanium mesh. but on the day 10th I notice there were pus with strong unpleasant taste and smell.
    Talked to my surgeon, she said that it very common to have titanium mesh exposure, and she prescript me amoxil and has been on it for about 3 weeks now. Has a little improvement but the pus still there and the exposure sites are still open.
    not sure what to do next, should i get her to remove the mesh?

    Reply
  5. If I have problems with antibiotics like headaches and Tinnitus is there another treatment I can use for a bone graft at tooth 31 that either will be pulled or the 9mm pocket filled with the bone graft? tia

    Reply
  6. Hi Dr, I had implant surgery, removal of tooth, bone graft implant and temp crown on my left front tooth on 7/25 one week ago exactly. Was put on z pack as I’m allergic to penicillin. I finished the z pack by day 4 post surgery. But excruciating pain since then. Had some throbbing entire time but has become worse Friday, Saturdays and Sunday was unbearable and today is Monday 1 week exactly post op and still unbearable. I can’t function unless I take Ibprofen. Dr saw me as an emergency yesterday for a Ct and X-rays and no indication if abnormality or infection though it’s still early to detect. No swelling no puss no bleeding but Intense pain even causing headache. She is putting me on Cephalaxin 500 3 times a day for 7 days starting today since I cannot take anything from penicillin family, also giving me a medrol steroid. I never take antibiotics as I am generally healthy and don’t like to. Affects my gut drastically.. prior to z pack I was on macrobid from my OB due to UTI coincidentally. So this will be my 3rd week on antibiotics, I am in severe pain and my dentist recommends this and to start cephalaxin asap. Should I be concerned about so much medicine ? I have a high pain tolerance and my throbbing in my tooth though we don’t see infection as of now is unbearable .. would you suggest the same measurements for me to take? I’m 36 year old active healthy female mom of 3 no underlining concerns. First implant ever. Suffering from pain.

    Reply
  7. Had a root canal then apcicotmy on tooth 14. No pain at all but have had fustila for years. One dentist will say get it extracted ASAP and another dentist will say if its not bothering you then you can leave it alone.

    Reply
  8. Hi Doctor,

    It’s been 9 days after the implant, and I am getting pains in my temples and all around the jaw region on my left. I received 2 implants and an extraction. One implant immediately followed the extraction. On this side (my left) I feel pain. While my right side was fine after about 5 days. The dentist is saying that it is natural to feel more pain and a longer healing time on the side with extraction + implant, but I’m pretty sure it is infected. No swelling or pus around the area, but pains in the jaw and temples.

    I followed the aftercare instructions using Clindamycin as antibiotic. What is the next best antibiotic? (no allergies).

    Thanks for your time.

    Reply
      • No, lethargy persists. I did not know that sometimes periapical infections will not show up on x-ray and the tooth can actually not be very painful but the drain on the immune system can cause a person to feel generally unwell. That can make the decision for extraction and implant more difficult I guess in the absence of more definitive diagnosis. CBCT was inconclusive due to artifacts and image quality.

        Reply
  9. Hi, I had #12 extracted and bone graft Thursday February 17 and I’m allergic to penicillin and my dentist prescribed the second antibiotic you mentioned, but the pharmacist said they had on file that I was allergic to that as well. I’m on day two post surgery and have not taken an antibiotic yet. I’m a bit worried I will get an infection from not taking any antibiotic. I am 34 years old and have a decent immune system. Should I push for another type of antibiotic and what would you recommend? I’ve had some pain but I thought that will be the case for a couple more days. I saw my dentist 24 hours after surgery and sent me on my way. He was concerned though that I was not taking an antibiotic.

    Reply
  10. Hello Doctor! What a helpful thread, dental woes can be so hard physically and mentally, glad there are people like you to help!
    Here is my story:
    Bottom molar was extracted, went well, had a graft at the time of extraction, healed for 3 months. Went in for my implant post, was placed, took amoxicillin for 10 days. Post opt went as expected the first few days, by day 11 I thought I was fine. Day 14 and I knew I had an infection. Red gums, a little swelling and pus, throbbing. Went in, confirmed infection, put on more antibiotics. The implant was not loose, but from what I have read here and other places, for some reason antibiotics do not always “save” the implant? Do I still have a fighting chance or do I remove the implant and get a bridge instead? Thank you for your advice!

    Reply
  11. Hello Dr., I dont know if you still monitor this. Here is the story.

    Had 3 teeth extracted (8-10) 12/20 due to bone erosion/loose teeth. Grafted and let heal for a year (long story there).

    12/20-Got 2 dental implants inserted for 8-10 with temporary crowns. Sent home but Dr did not prescribe antibiotics.

    Had infection on check up a month later. Dr. saw that #7 was loose and could affect implant site. A couple of weeks later, he removed #7, cleaned out infection, grafted it. Stitched it up.

    Put on antibiotics for a week. Went back. Still pus and some bleeding. Now on 2nd round of one week of antiobiotics. Saw pus today and some bleeding.

    I see him again in a week or so. Was optimistic 2 days ago, but pus seen today worries me. No pain though.

    He told me before that if this infection doesnt go away, it’s another 3-4 months wait (I cannot recall, but another regraft and/or re-implant).

    Anyway, should i ask for a 3rd round of antibiotics? I am almost done this 2nd round. Am I wasting my time on a 3rd round? Do you think this may resolve such that I do not have to wait another 3-4 months to re-do things?

    Thanks!

    Reply
      • thank you doctor. This is helpful.

        I will say that an a 4th doctor I went to said there was plenty of bone to place the implants

        But my concern is that the creepy crawlers are in the new graft area and by the implant site, chomping away at the bone.

        Any idea on how much more time you think this never-ending and expensive process will cost in extra time/money ? This has been a 3 year saga so far.

        I am thinking that I should have just gotten a bridge even if they’re sort of not optimal themselves. At least I could have been smiling for the last 3 or 4 years.

        I will say that today was a little better. Some pus but no bleeding. No pain. I’m even resorting to warm salt water rinse. I really want this to end.

        Reply
        • Something sounds amiss here.

          I’m guessing you do not smoke or Vape? Diabetes? Any sort of immune system problems such as rheumatoid arthritis?

          Have you ever been placed on metronidazole/Flagyl?

          In areas of normal bone volume this should be a very highly successful procedure.

          Reply
          • No, none of the above. I may be overreacting and I actually hope that I am. There has been minimal puss/blood the last couple of days. It’s still tender to the touch a little on the backside gum tissue of the #7 graft but no pain/throbbing there. I think this site may be where the bit of pus/bleeding comes from.

            Also, my stitches from the graft broke free the day before I saw the doctor and possibly opened up a way for bacteria to enter. But this was a few days after the sutures were placed and I think the tissue had closed up by then.

            Also. they forgot to prescribe me antibiotics after the implants were first placed. I don’t know if that set me down the wrong path to infection that the 2 antibiotics rounds I’ve been taking now have not been able to help with.

        • Hi,
          I am currently going thru the same situation. I am on my 3rd dose of Amoxil! still some pus coming out, but mine probably bit different as the bone implant using titanium mesh technique.
          How are you going right now? is it a success or you have to redo everything again?

          Reply
  12. First, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise. You are an amazing resource.

    I was just diagnosed with needing a root canal on one of my front molars this morning and was prescribed amoxicillin. I have no appendix and suffered severely from c diff three years ago from antibiotics (I had to have an FMT to cure it) and am nervous taking the amoxicillin. Is there another antibiotic that is effective for dental infections that isn’t linked to causing c diff? I have the root canal scheduled in two days and am considering not taking the antibiotic.

    Reply
  13. I am allergic to penicillin, cephalosporin and clindamycin. What are the names of other antibiotics that can be used, in order of your preference, for dental bone graft to one tooth? My provider suggests just skipping antibiotics altogether since I cant take the three mentioned.

    Reply
  14. Had a surgical extraction of a molar and bone graft performed, with a partial denture to follow in a couple of weeks.
    Is 250 mg of Ciprofloxacin 2X a day for 5 days appropriate? I have my doubts, and in truth I’d rather not take antibiotics at all …but I don’t know if refusing them would be wise following a bone graft procedure (in addition to the surgical extraction).

    Thanks in advance.
    Much appreciated!
    -Eric

    Reply
  15. Had a surgical extraction of a molar, and bone graft.
    Is 250 mg of Ciprofloxacin 2X daily for 5 days appropriate? I have my doubts.

    Reply
  16. I had an extraction and bone graft 3 days ago and I have had a horrible taste coming from the site of the graft since, and a lot of pain. Is the bad taste a sure sign of infection? I had severe c diff and try not to take antibiotics. What can I do?

    Reply
  17. Hi i have had a jaw infection for the past 5 days, having the tooth pulled on wednesday and was told that i need to have a bone graft, synthetic material to be used, they are going to do the graft as soon as they pull the tooth and clean inside, my worry is that the infection will then go into the graft if any of it is left behind, is this possible

    Reply
  18. Hi Dr. Amin,
    I had an extraction and bone graft tooth #14 on 3/20/21 after having a failed root canal tx. The membrane that was used was dissolvable. After the surgery, I took antibiotics (amoxicillin 850mg PO BID and methylprednisolone ) for 7days. I had mild to moderate pain with swelling for the first week, but they were settled down after then.
    Unfortunately, the pain came back on the 14th day (4/3/21) after the surgery. So, I saw the doctor for the follow up including removing stitches this Monday(4/5/21), and he said there was no inflammation/infection and healing is still going on. He didn’t take an X-ray. Currently, the bone graft site is not covered by gum tissue completely yet. Since last Saturday, I have in moderate pain (sort of throbbing/pinching) almost all day and also a sort of pressure feeling on the neighbor’s teeth (#13 and #15) from time to time. I am very concerned about the risk of infection even though the doctor said it will take time to heal.
    Is it usual that the pain comes back during the healing process? Do I need to re-address this issue with my doctor again, or get a second opinion? If the bone graft gets infected, what options should I expect? I’d appreciate it if you give me any advice. Thank you very much!

    Reply
    • It sounds like you are having some delayed healing. Sometimes a second round of antibiotics is necessary. I would wait until six weeks have passed to even consider that the graft might be failing. An x-ray this early on is not that helpful. If by late April or early May you’re still having problems please follow up with me. My guess is everything will normalize at that point.

      Keep in mind the upper molars 🦷 typically need some sort of sinus lift in order to get an implant that is the right size

      https://burbankdentalimplants.com/upper-molarinternal-sinus-lift-3-d-scan-real-time-dental-implant-before-and-after-planning-video-narrated-by-ramsey-amin-dds/

      Reply
      • Hi Dr. Amin,
        I took clindamycin in April (4/9-16) as your recommendation. After that, the pain was definitely improved until the last week, although I felt mild pain on and off. My gum has not healed yet so far; about one-third of the area next to #15 is still red and tender, but not swelling. I followed up with my doctor last week; he said slow healing but no infection. However, I started to feel the pain again this week; sore and aching. This time, I am not sure but the pain feels from the gum areas have not healed completely. I really don’t know what I am going through. Why am I still have pain? This week is the 7th week after surgery. I wish I live near your office. Please help me. Thank you very much!

        Reply
        • If it still hurting at this point likely the graft needs to be removed. No amount of antibiotics is going to help it. Occasionally they will resolve on their own. If it still hurting by week 10 or 12 you need to move forward with something else. I would suggest a CBCT scan to check the healing.

          Reply
  19. Hi.

    I’ve been to my dentist for a bridge in December 2020. As from a couple of hours following the procedure, I started feeling pain in my face/jaw/muscle. After i’ve informed my dentist he performed a route canal to eliminate any risk of nerve inflammation. This was done in Jan 2021 but pain persisted: sometimes full, other times unbearable pain. Toples 3 courses of antibiotics up till mie Feb. Now I’m having unbearable pain once again. Dentist recommended antibiotics once again; am afraid to take the 4th course in 3 months. Is it safe for me? Still don’t know where this facial pain is coming from. It’s similar to Trigeminal Neuralgia pain but consistent for hours; not even Voltaren 100mg are having effect!

    Reply
    • Likely the tooth has cracked unfortunately. You probably need an extraction. It sounds like you’re trying to see if the teeth with a natural tooth bridge. You will likely need to have an implant or two. Sorry for the bad news but that is my gut feeling based on what you’re writing 😞

      Reply
  20. Hi, your amazing!

    This might be a little off topic but i just went to have a root canal on #30 their was a very slight infection, hardly any pain (if any), no swelling, heat or redness. The dentist ended up pulling my tooth and scraping it, he gave me antibiotics but do I really need to take them, with such a slight infection? Could I wait and if pain, swelling or heat presents itself take the antibiotics then? What would be your suggestion? Planning on getting an implant once I’ve healed.

    Reply
  21. I recently got dental implants. I was placed on amoxicillin 2 days prior to procedure and kept on for a total of 7 days. Implants were placed on 2.7.21. One of the implants now has what looks to be a pus pocket outside of my gum where one of the implants is. There’s no pain or facial swelling, the ‘abscessed area’ is more of a nuisance than anything. Can I go back on amoxicillin or do I need to go to my local dentist for xrays? I’m a febrile, no true signs of infx besides the noticeable area, bad breath when I first wake up and fatigue

    Reply
  22. Hi Dr. Amin,

    I had an infection in a tooth with a previous root canal back in January. It was treated with Clindamycin and then extracted / bone-grafted, followed by a second dose of Clindamycin (due to penicillin allergy). I ended up with a c.diff infection that was treated using vanco. Since then, I’ve been putting off my implant surgery due to persistent GI problems.

    My dentist mentioned that it is not necessary to take an antibiotic post-implant, however, my oral surgeon is insisting. We’ve discussed Flagyl as an option, but I am still concerned. What are the trade-offs of not taking the antibiotic at all? Could I at least do a lower dose? All my previous doses were 2 weeks, which seems quite long.

    Thanks for your advice.

    Reply
  23. Hi Dr. Amin,

    I recently went to the dentist and she had to do scaling on it to clean off the stain and calculus on the tooth. But I recently realized that the tooth has become more narrow, possibly due to the scaling that the dentist did.

    Because the tooth has become quite thin, would it be in danger of falling out in future? Here is the link of the picture for you to look at https://i.imgur.com/CMp2FpF.jpg

    Thank you Dr. Amin.

    Reply
  24. Hello doctor,
    I first want to say how impressed I am with your kindness and expertise in answering so many questions.
    Secondly, I’ll be getting a bottom tooth, molar, extracted and an implant placed in approximately 3 weeks. My concern is that I have severe osteoporosis, not on any meds for it, and am concerned graft won’t take. My surgeon doesn’t feel it will be an issue. Just wondering what your experience is on this matter. Also, just like many people, absolutely dreading the upcoming round of antibiotics. And I understand the need, but have been on five rounds of antibiotics already this year for a complicated UTT.

    Reply
  25. 7 days post implant surgery no grafts (2 jaw implants). No pain after day three. Day 5 pain returned. Advil takes care of pain. Still swelling at one implant site. Was removed from antibiotics due to allergic reaction on day 5 of of taking. Started 2 days prior to surgery. Not replaced with a different antibiotic. I was told my mouth was real clean and neccessary. Continue baking soda rinses 4 times daily. Is this returned pain normal part of the healing process or should I be concerned of an infection?

    Reply
  26. Hi Dr,

    I had gone through bone grafting + implant surgery in February 2020. A part of my gums is, however, still whitish.

    The picture can be viewed at https://i.imgur.com/pbXLkLX.jpg

    Why is the gums still whitish? Does it mean it will forever be white and never revert back to its pinkish colour?

    Thank you Dr.

    Reply
  27. Had apiectomy over a year ago and the tooth is finally feeling stable and secure. I was fine all day. I finish eating a few min ago and noticed a little irritation in my lip. Like a swollen feeling. I’ve been used to strange feelings after food, some tingling etc… But I’d always examine and be fine. Today I do the same and It’s little white dots right on the stitch line where the incision was. No pain, no loose feeling in the tooth, nothing. Just those small white dots right on the scar line

    Reply
  28. Hello, thank you for making this thread public. I had an onlay bone graft 3 weeks ago (sourced from my lower jaw) in the area of #12 and #13. I was genetically missing those teeth. About 1 1/2 weeks post surgery, I developed swollen areas that were leaking graft material and a clear/yellow fluid. I was placed on an additional round of clindamycin and a chlorhexidine rinse. I was already on clindamycin for 10 days post surgery. I have been on the second round of clindamycin for 1 1/2 weeks now and little to no improvement. In fact I have an additional area of concern now as originally I had 2 areas or “bubbles” in the skin that were leaking, now I have 3. Is this indeed a sign of continued infection and could it be possible I’m simply not responding to the clindamycin? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

    Reply
    • Is the bone showing?? If so it needs to be removed in order to get the gum to cover over. Clindamycin should be switched to something else or do a culture of still infected after 2-3 weeks

      Reply
    • I’m having the same issue with an almost identical story line. Had apiectomy over a year ago and the tooth is finally feeling stable and secure. I was fine all day. I finish eating a few min ago and noticed a little irritation in my lip. Like a swollen feeling. I’ve been used to strange feelings after food, some tingling etc… But I’d always examine and be fine. Today I do the same and It’s little white dots right on the stitch line where the incision was. No pain, no loose feeling in the tooth, nothing. Just those small white dots right on the scar line

      Reply
  29. Hi Dr,

    I underwent bone grafting + 2 implants drilled into my jawbone about 10 days ago. The surgical site seems to be subsiding day by day, gradually. The stitches are still in place.

    But sometimes, I am able to feel there is a mild, pulsating sensation around the top of my gums, beside the tooth.

    I wonder if this is a sign that the bone graft is failing? I don’t feel any pain in the jawbone where the implants are placed.

    Or I wonder if it’s just because the stitch has been tied tightly around the tooth, leading me to feel that pulsating sensation? Is it just blood flow that is causing it?

    Another question, am I able to resume cycling?

    Thank you.

    Reply
  30. Dear Dr. Amin; hope you can offer some advice.
    I had an implant placed a week ago in #6 (upper right canine) and have been experiencing numbness in the front two teeth next to it since. The Implant Specialist tells me it’s normal, there being many nerve branches in the area, and it should heal fine.
    However, as of yesterday I started having dull pain in the numb teeth, feels like the sensation is trying to come back. More concerning is the fact that tooth #7 has become loose and slightly angled in the socket. (It had a rootcanal/crown placed 6 years ago in case that matters.)

    My question is:
    1. What would cause tooth #7 to become loose after an implant was placed next to it? Should I be concerned of loosing it?
    There is swelling in the area, I took antibiotics only for the first 3 days since I’m allergic to pencicillin and clindamycin and it seemed to be healing well.

    2. I’m sure it would help to place me back on antibiotics. What alternatives to clindamycin would you recommend?

    Thank you for taking the time to read this and hope you have some advice for me. Many thanks!

    Reply
    • The bite needs to be adjusted on the tooth is loose. It is likely forming a condition called fremitus which is easy to deal with. Sometimes the inflammation from the surgery can cause this on the tooth with a root canal. As for antibiotics you can try a new generation cephalosporin

      Reply
  31. I had a tooth extracted with bone grafting 1.5 years ago. I was given Clyndamyacin for the extraction. This procedure took place after a year of taking strong antibiotics for a spine surgery, sinus infection and appendicitis. Too many strong antibiotics in a short period of time putting me at risk. I contracted antibiotic resistant C-diff and failed both Flagyl and Vancomyacin therapy. I wound up having a successful fecal microbial transplant (FMT) and have not taken antibiotics since. I am due for the implant to be put in. I’ve had mild chronic pain on the tooth behind the implant area for about 3 years. I had a root canal done on that tooth which didn’t help and 2 followup CBCT scans which show nothing. The pain is pressure pain. I am so afraid of having an implant put in especially because the surgeon wants to put me on an antibiotic for the procedure. Would I be better off just getting a bridge? At this point I want nothing to do with antibiotics. Honestly, I am petrified. Especially because the mild pressure pain in my back tooth as confounded my dentist, periodontist and oral surgeon and am afraid it may result in a failed implant if something is unresolved. I can’t afford endless courses of antibiotics.

    Reply
  32. I just had an extraction and bone graft on #14 after continuing pain post root canal and what turned out to be a cracked root. My oral surgeon prescribed doxycycline. Is it absolutely necessary to take this prescription? I just finished 3 courses of antibiotics and am nervous about asking more. Also, there is info that doxycycline interacts with the PPI I take, Pantoprazole. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Hello there,
      I really need your advise Dr. Amin

      I had a moral # 3 pulled out on 10/31/19, and the oral surgeon recommended I do the bone graft same day, and I did. Since then I been having so much pain, and I went back to her multiple times and she kept saying no the pain is not coming from there. Then I said to myself this is it I can not take it, so I called her office and I told them, I want the bone graft to be removed, I went in and saw her, and she said lets get a second opinion I will send you over to another oral surgeon who is more experienced to take a look and when he did the CT he found 2 spots in the bone graft that was infected. He said I will put you on clindymcin for 2 weeks then we will follow up. The very first day of taking it I felt better, and I was pain free and right before I finished the medication 2 days prior my pain started again, but this time is like 6-7 out of 10, before was 9-10 out of 10. I went back to the oral surgeon who prescribed me the medication and he touched around my gum area and he said you are much better. I said can we do a CT to make sure its gone, and he said no, because it takes 3 months for the infection to disappear and see the result of the CT. So he said come back in 3 months. But the problem here, is I can not live with this pain for 3 months, its just too much. Any advise? I went to a neurologist and we though I had trigeminal neuroglia and I didn’t have that. and my neurologist said he doesn’t know what to prescribe me if the pain the caused by the implant. I need your help and advise please! thank you so much

      Reply
      • Abnormal for sure. Also check for nerve impingement but likely another tooth causing this. Rarely this can be osteomyelitis

        Reply
      • I doubt it if any of that. It might be another tooth or your bike needs to be adjusted for fremitus. That means your teeth are moving a bit when you bite hard. I would suggest you see an endodontist to evaluate your other teeth in the area.

        Reply
  33. I would love your input!! I had a dental implant placed 4 days ago on an area that had a well healed bone graft according to CT results.
    I had some pain at first but the throbbing pain started 2 days later. My doctor called in Amox 500mg on the 3rd day. I’ve been on the antibiotic >24 hrs with no relief of the throbbing pain. Ibuprofen 800 mg helps to take the pain away a little but not entirely. My questions are:
    1) Do I risk losing the implant?
    2) Should I be prescribed a different antibiotic or am I not giving it enough time?

    Thank you in advance!!

    Reply
  34. Hi Dr. Amin,
    I had #5 extracted today….it’s shown to have a short blunt root for 40+ years(I’m 56)….I suspect a result of orthodontia back in the day…..3 weeks it sort of let go and was super loose.

    Anyway, the peridontist refers to the bone loss (seen on xray) as “infection” and of course prescribed Amoxicillian. I have a desire to avoid antibiotics but I don’t want to make matters worse! Is this (lack of density around a tooth that was “loose” for 40+years) a true infection or is the bone loss called that in the dental professional world. Is the bone actually “infected” in these general situations? TIA!!

    Reply
    • if you don’t have pain antibiotics are likely unnecessary unless you’re having the implant or the bone graft done. Bone loss around teeth typically is a low-grade chronic infection that takes years but antibiotics will not treat it. Antibiotics are important for more substantial dental implants and bone grafting procedures

      Reply
  35. This page is wonderful and I am so glad I found it, I hope you can answer my question. I am 8 weeks post op. I had a root canal on my top left fail because of infection around the root tip. The day of surgery they extracted the tooth, put in the first part of the implant, and did a bone graft. I was put on 10 days of antibiotics. At my 3 week check up and removal of stitches I still had pain in the upper gum around the implant and would feel pressure / discomfort in my jaw around it as well. The doctor took xrays and said it looked fine, but I went back a week later with no improvements so they put me on a second 10 day course of antibiotics. The discomfort and pressure I was having did seem to get better, but not quite two weeks after finishing the 2nd round of antibiotics the pain in my upper gums around the implant returned as well as very slight swelling in the gum/roof of my mouth. After a few more days the pressure /discomfort in my jaw began to return also so I went to my dentist again. He noted a slightly dark area around the implant during xrays that was “too slight to know for sure” and decided to put me on a third round of antibiotics. At this point my stomach is in ruins, and day 4 into this round of antibiotics the pain is still present. I am taking a probiotic from the pharmacist to help with my stomach, and I’ve scheduled a 3d scan with my dentist. I’m wondering even though the xrays dont show solid signs of infection could the implant be failing? Should I be feeling this pain and radiating discomfort 8 weeks post op? I’m afraid of what the next step might be.

    Reply
    • Ugh. It might not be taking. Be careful on meds that long. I would suggest florastor as it is a yeast based probiotic.

      Hopefully you are not on clindamycin for that long.

      😢

      Reply
      • Thank you so much for answering! The first round was amoxicillin for 10 days, the second was Augmentin 500mg twice a day for 10 days.. The third round I’m currently on is Clindamycin and its 300 mg 4 times a day for 7 days. I’m already on day 5 so I’ll of course finish it. I am afraid if it doesn’t take and they do have to remove the implant, or do another bone graft will they put me on a 4th round of antibiotics? Should I take it?

        Reply
          • To be clear should I ask them to add the Flagyl now, or if they end up having to remove the implant? What other antibiotic? Sorry I just want to be sure I understand! 🙂

          • again I have not seen you, I don’t know your medical history and I have no idea what your bone and implant look like. I have to make a lot of assumptions. I would not remove an implant unless it has been problematic for a month generally speaking. How is it going know? Did they put you on Flagyl?

          • My update is a disappointing one. They did not put me on Flagyl.. I have been off antibiotics for almost three weeks. I am still taking daily probiotics and my stomach is better but still not normal. The pain and discomfort is still present in my implant. The 3D xray showed nothing and my dentists are stumped. I am now basically waiting things out to see if they improve or worsen. I’m unsure how long I should tolerate the pain before going back in, or if they will know how to help me if I do go in. Thank you very very much for the advice you have given, I wish I lived near by to get your expert opinion in person! You are a blessing to the people you help!

          • UPDATE: I got a second opinion from a specialists as my pain got unbearable. The Implant and bone graft around it were infected and unfortunately so was my sinus. I had a second surgery to have the implant removed, my sinus cleaned out, and new bone graft placed. I am mostly pain free now after a nearly 4 month long ordeal! For those reading this blog always see a specialist like Dr. Ramsey Amin if you can. Don’t be afraid of second opinions especially if you keep getting prescribed antibiotics over and over again with no success. Thank you again!

          • thank you for your kind words. I’m glad you doing much better. I really appreciate the follow-up!

  36. I am so glad I came upon this post. I just had a bone block placed (failed root canal, extraction, bone graft, now block) and was given IV antibiotics following the procedure and am now on clindamycin for 15 days. This seems like way too long to be on this medication and I really do not want to end up in the hospital with c. dif. At this point I am already 7 days post-op and it wouldn’t be worth changing antibiotics but I feel like a 7-10 day course is sufficient. Help?!

    Reply
    • I would suggest taking a probiotic that is yeast based at the same time while you take clindamycin. “Florastor” is over-the-counter and works great!! These types of bone graft take longer to get blood so so antibiotics are often taken for longer duration. I’m assuming you are on clindamycin because you are allergic to penicillin and cephalosporins

      also eat about 4 ounces of yogurt a day

      Reply
  37. Great effort you’ve made to respond to people’s comments. My question is how to determine whether antibiotics should be prescribed for placement of bone graft and/or implant when there is no sign of infection, i.e. preventatively.

    Context: I have lost 5 teeth and am having bone-grafts and implants placed. Sometimes bone graft first, and then implant 4 months later, sometimes both same time. This is being done in Singapore, besides the astronomic cost, my concern is they prescribe me antibiotics for 5-days each time and side effects render me useless, whether augmentin or Clindamycin (I’m heavily allergic to all sulfer based antibiotics, so that no option).

    In the scientific literature, I see there is evndience preventative antibiotics result in lower % infections when implants are placed. Also read that common conception antibiotics should always continued to full prescribed number of days, despite no sign of infection, has been challenged.

    Had bone graft placed 2 days ago and considering stopping antibiotics now. Everything seems fine (I have had many procedures so have some experience) the only “problem” being the antibiotics prevent me from being able to work, and I have so many of these staged procedures (extraction, bone-graft, implant etc…) it’s like the 7th antibiotic cure I’m taking in 12 months … and all only preventatively …. welcome your thoughts…

    Reply
    • I would have all the work done in one visit with one round of antibiotics. Maybe 2 visits max.

      bone Tissue banks in the USA follow stringent sterilization guidelines. Not sure about Singapore bone source.

      Reply
  38. Dear Dr.Amin,
    I had my #3 extracted and grafted 4 months ago due to failure of root canal (17 year old). I took 7 days ammoxiciline for the procedure. After 9 weeks there was no sign of gum healing and the bone particles covered with yellow stuff kept falling out , the surgical site was still red, and the surface was kind of painful, especially when the partial stuck out of the surface. and it was sore when I touched the gum on the cheek side with Qtip. So my dentist decided to remove the top layer ( about 3 mm) of the bone particle and re- covered the site with collagen and membrane with at least 12 stitches. This time he did not prescribe me antibiotics. He checked the site on day 9 and removed the stiches on day 16. This time the surgical site was partially pink, but three small spots were still red. But I started to feel itchy on the surgical site since day 10. At first I thought the itchiness was a good sign. But the itchiness persisted and I couldn’t fall sleep. So on day 21 my dentist prescribed some steroids solution for me to apply on the surgical site. It helped to suppress the itchiness at first, now it is not as effective as before after using it for over a month. I can also feel the itchiness and a kind of sore when I apply the medicine on the gum on the surgical site. And I can see that the gum is still not completely healed. Is there an infection underneath the gum? Is there anyway to stop the itchiness? Please help me Dr Amin. It is so itchy that I cannot sleep. Thank you in advance!

    Reply
    • Are you allergic to
      Any foods?

      There is a remote
      Chance you are
      Allergic to the membrane or sutures.

      This is very very rare. Please reply.

      Reply
      • Thank you Dr. Amin.
        I don’t have any food allergic history. Although I am moderately allergic to cat and pollen etc. my dentist ordered biopsy when he removed the top layer the result returned normal, no infection nor allergies found. He did switch to different membrane and thread for the second surgery.

        Reply
  39. Hi Dr Amin,
    I had a tooth extraction (what was left of my tooth) with bone graft done yesterday. The tooth had already fallen off many years ago (previously had a root canal with crown which came off and stayed off) and I didn’t plan on getting an implant until now. So there wasn’t really any infection to my knowledge (never had any pain or swelling at the site). The dentist yesterday told me that she placed the bone graft and put in a suture and asked that I start on a 10-day course of amoxicillin. I was unaware that I needed to be on antibiotics after the procedure, and it sort of upset me because I’m currently breastfeeding a 4 month old. I know that the medication is generally safe while breastfeeding but I’d rather not expose her for various reasons. Do I need to be on antibiotics? And if so, is a 10-day course really necessary? I’m generally very healthy and don’t smoke.
    Thank you,
    Jane D.

    Reply
    • UGH…. It sounds like your dentist does not know you very well. I personally would have delayed until your baby was older. Please watch the video because it discusses how not all grafts need antibiotics but most do. It really depends on the number of walls and the technique of the graft. This is a discussion you should have with a dentist. Fortunately young and healthy mothers tend to heal well.

      Reply
  40. Hi Dr. Amin,

    Thanks so much for touching on this topic. I haven’t been able to find any dentists who are aware of this issue so I was happy to find this thread. (I’ve been putting off a tooth extraction that seems to be infected in order to avoid antibiotics while trying to heal from pretty severe stomach issues.)

    I was wondering:

    1. How soon after an extraction does a bone graft need to be performed to avoid bone loss/gum recession?

    2. Do you recommend any natural “antibiotics” following tooth extractions and bone grafts? Or are conventional antibiotics for these procedures absolutely necessary?

    I’d really appreciate your input. Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Graft is best done at time of extraction in most cases. There are no real natural antibiotics that would have a systemic effect

      Reply
  41. Hi-I had tooth #31 extracted today. I did not have a bone graph…there was also infection.I am now thinking that I should have….what are my options for an implant since i didn’t have the bone graph done at the same time. Can I get it done post extraction?

    Reply
  42. I just had two impacted wisdom teeth removed today. There was no previous infection. My dr prescribed 500 mg of penicillin 4 times a day for about 7 days for prevention. I took the first pill tonight but really don’t want to continue with the prescription. Will that one pill I took do any harm to my gut flora? or does it need to be more?

    Reply
  43. Hi,

    I hade a failed root canal and api on #9 and the tooth was extracted in June. Additionally, I had a crack in root canal #10. My oral surgeon extracted #10, did bone grafting and gum grafting 11 days ago. About 5 days ago pinkish/yellowish discharge started coming from the area when I smile. He started me on amoxicillian yesterday. Now the area is discharge thin yellown fluid. Should I be concerned and does the graft need to be removed?

    Reply
  44. Thank you so much for continuing to answer questions on this thread, it is so helpful!

    Here’s mine: I’m almost done with a 28-pill prescription of clindamycin for an infection in my lower left molar, 2nd from back. This tooth has a deep mercury filling from at least 20 yrs ago and part of the tooth broke 12+ months ago.
    My dentist recommended a root canal or extraction and I did a consult with the nearest endo specialist, who agreed.
    His bedside left me feeling unsure, and I had no pain until a month ago. For the past month I managed the pain with oil of oregano mostly, and ibuprofen occasionally.
    Things went nuclear last Sunday, with terrible uncontrollable pain about 8-9 on pain scale all night and rapid facial swelling early in the morning. Called my dentist, but she was not available to see me. Called an oral surgeon near me but they also don’t do emergencies. So called dentist back and she agreed I needed antibiotic. I am allergic to penicillin after getting an infection in a root canal in other tooth on lower jaw, other side, which is part of my uncertainty to get another root canal.
    I have decided to get the tooth extracted and my dentist already said she doesn’t feel she can get me numb, and recommends an oral surgeon, so I expect to go to an oral surgeon soon.
    My tooth still hurts about a 4-6 on pain scale, but the swelling in my face is nearly gone. There is still swelling in the tissues next to the tooth on the cheek side and a hard “module” that can be felt externally through my cheek.
    Would it be necessary to do another round of clindamycin starting tomorrow before proceeding with the extraction? Or, can a surgeon go ahead with it even if it’s not completely cleared up? And, is a second round of clindamycin preferred over a different antibiotic?
    My dentist hasn’t followed up with me and may be too busy to get to me, so I thought I’d see what you think. I’ve got the red-hair gene issues with numbing, extra sensitivity, early metabolizing etc. Thank you in advance for your thoughts!

    Reply
    • I have had many redheads with the same anesthesia gene!

      Basically in order to resolve the infection, the tooth needs to be removed. The tooth is the source of infection and should relieve everything once it is removed. No amount of antibiotics can cure a hot tooth that causes pain in the 8 to 9 scale.

      Reply
      • I finally got my situation resolved. It took seeing a total of 6 dental professionals and I had to go through a household move in the middle of it. The 4th dentist agreed to help me and she gave me as much numbing as it took to do partial endos on both teeth to get me out of pain and hold me over until I got to my new place. She also gave me a good recommendation of a dentist there. That dentist determined that both of my teeth were cracked, and the lower infection had still not cleared up after more antibiotics. She gave me a great recommendation for a local oral surgeon and he did the extractions 4 weeks ago. This week the pain from the infection is finally gone – I didn’t take any antibiotics with the extractions. The extractions went great, no bleeding at all after 30 min. No pain the next day either. Now I’m letting everything heal up and will be seeing my new dentist later this month.
        I did have to live with my hot tooth for 4 months, but getting connected to great professionals with good judgment gave me a good resolution. There is no substitute for experience! Thanks for your help!

        Reply
  45. I have a tooth implant that is really hurting and antibiotics not working very well. My implant was put in 20 plus years ago. Will it calm and stay well in time with a different antibiotic..maybe??

    Reply
  46. I had two extractions on bottom right with immediate implants on June 13, 2018. I developed an infection with swollen face, gums, under tongue, and throat. I was put on Clyndomiacin for 5 days. There is still redness and some pain on gums around bridge behind implants, and some swelling under tongue. Today is July 4th. I’ve asked if another round of antibiotics will help and the dentist is hesitant. I was told antibiotics just mask the symptoms, they are waiting for one of the implants to “commit” so they can determine if one needs to be taken out. Wouldn’t 5 more days of antibiotics be a better plan? Thanks for your advice.

    Reply
    • I agree with you. And also if you are not allergic to penicillin I would suggest you switch to something else besides clindamycin.

      Reply
  47. I have had three implants for about ten years with no problems. Recently, there has been an infection develop even through I practice good hygiene. Do I need to have a procedure done to clean out the infection or take low-dose antibiotics to clear up the infection. The pain waxes and wanes from being very painful to a low level of pain. Please advise by email.

    Reply
  48. Hi Dr. I had a periodontist do a bone graft behind #17 molar to correct a 10 mm pocket. The following day the flap began to turn necrotic then fell off. The doc said not to worry. 2 days later i had a horrible taste coming from the area and went back and he gave me a bottle of Peridex to put on the area and said to return in a week. My next visit I still had a foul taste but it had subsided some. I had research a little in between visits and heard of people getting antibiotics either before or after this procedure. I asked the doc why he didn’t put me on them and he response was “oh, I didn’t prescribe you antibiotics?” He the gave me a prescription for Augmentin 500 mg and said we will have to wait to see if the graft took. Meantime I have terrible sensitivity now that the root is exposed. What is usual protocol as far as antibiotics with this procedure?

    Reply
    • Is this a wisdom tooth? #17 in the American numbering system is a wisdom tooth unless you are making reference to the European system where this would be a second molar. If this was a wisdom tooth it seems strange to even try to save it with a 10 mm pocket. Under my care you would have antibiotics both before and after with this type of procedure but each practitioner has a different school of thought. Not all dental surgeries require antibiotics.

      Reply
      • I’m sorry it was second molar. Will that gum tissue ever grow back? Why do you think it died? Should i get a gum graft to cover the root or just leave it as is as long as the gum stays tight to the tooth? Thanks for your help. It takes a special person to make time like this for complete strangers.

        Reply
        • That area is Sometimes inoperable. Surgical access is very difficult. Sometimes the area can be more successfully treated with a carbon dioxide laser first and then try to bone graft the root. Each situation is very different.

          Reply
      • It has been about 3 months now since this graft. The area continually has a foul taste and odor almost chemical like. Small fragments still occasionally come out. The gum tissue that died never did come back but everything look pink and normal. I just can’t take the odor and taste coming from the area anymore. What are your thoughts or suspicions?

        Reply
  49. I am having a tooth (#30) extracted and bone graft for an implant on Thursday, June 7, 2018. The tooth has an old crown that came off and the dentist determined there was new decay and the tooth was not salvageable for a new crown. The periodontist that will do the extraction and implant has prescribed antibiotics but did not mention when I should begin taking them. When do I start taking the antibiotics? Days before the extraction, after the extraction? The periodontist office is closed so I cannot contact him until Monday, June 4, 2018.

    Reply
    • One hour before is usually the best. But the dose one hour before is different (bigger) than the regular. You will need to call them. They should have alerted the pharmacy to write this down on the bottle.

      Reply
  50. Hello, I had a root canal with a crown done on the 1st week of April. On April 16th I found out that I had an ear infection. I wad prescribed Amoxicillin. On April 25th I went to my dentist for toothache. Found that I have an tooth infection below the root. I was still on my Amoxicillin meds from the ear infection. My dentist could not understand why out was there since I was on my medication since the 16th. He removed my crown an put medication down the root. A calcium oxide horrible tasting liquid. There was no puss so he irrigated the tooth and put the crown back on. I was very sore and could not eat anything not even a soft fry. When I woke up the next morning my gum and face was swollen. What should I do? Did my ear infection cause my tooth infection or vis-a-versa? Help?

    Reply
  51. Hi!

    I recently had a bone graft on my lower jaw. It was the kind with the flap not the socket kind. Anyways, on day 8 I was still having pain and it was quite swollen. Went in to see my dentist and now I’m on clydimician and flagyl. For the first 7 days I was on amoxicilian. The swelling has gone down over the first 48 hours of these new antibiotics, but the oozing from the site has not ceased and I am still having some pain. Can infection post surgery be treated effectively with antibiotics? I’m worried that if the infection in the graft then an antibiotic isn’t going to affect it. Are my odds that this is going to cause the graft to fail and have to be removed?

    Reply
    • It is too early to tell but not a good sign. They usually heal despite infection if the bone graft technique is correct and you are healthy.

      Reply
      • One thing I notice is that the suture along my inner gum didn’t fully close. Could this be why the infection was caused?

        Reply
          • I’m three weeks post surgery and finished with my course of antibiotics. My pain is gone and there is no more discharge from the site, however my jaw still feels swollen. My oral surgeon told me this was the mass of the graft, but it feels like a previous infection I had from a failed apico. My face is slightly noticeabley swollen. Does this sound like it could still be infection?

          • Give it a few more weeks. Some swelling takes one to 2 months to fully go away depending on your body’s response to inflammation and of course the type of procedure that was performed. Best of luck!

    • Why only amoxil. . . Why not amoxil along with metro/trinidazole… I hope your tooth would be fine now. . . But ask your doc if there are some meds that work better in a combo. And about your question about the origin of infection; your dentist can better answer it.

      Reply
  52. I had a (cadaver) bone graft on 3/27. Procedure went fine, and at first I only had pain that that I expected from dental surgery. Three days after surgery, I had horrible pain in the back of my jaw/gum line. It felt like it was from the Novocain needle poke. Had that same pain until I went back at the 2 week mark for stitch removal. At this point, I had been on 1 round of antibiotics pre and post surgery, then another round. At that appointment, she put me on a third round. Personally, I thought it was too soon for the stitches to come out bc the site looked like it was still healing. Anyhow, the stitches are out and almost a week later the incision site is in excruciating pain. There are late nights that I cry myself to sleep. I was put on Percocet and then Tylenol/codeine and they did nothing to stop the pain. I take anywhere from 3-4 ibuprofen, 3-4x per day. (Last night, I took 5!). As of yesterday, I’m also having pain near my ear and even up into my eye, and my jaw aches when I chew. Could my body be rejecting the implant? How can there possibly be an infection after being on antibiotics for 3 weeks? At this point, I wish I could reach in and pull the implant out on my own. By the way, I’m leaving for Florida in 2 weeks and there is no way I want to deal with this pain while on a family vacation.

    Reply
    • hmmm….There may be remaining infected tissue in the extraction socket. You may want to consider removing the entire graft if it does not get better very soon. Something is not right here. A basic x-ray should be taken and possibly another 3-D scan. Let me know what happens

      Reply
      • Turns out the gums were not healing correctly. When I looked in the mirror, I could see down into my gum line, the graft, and other things I did not want to see. I just called it a “flap” that was hanging there. Didn’t look like my gums were connected to anything! Doc said that I was basically walking around with an open wound. She put, what I call, liquid bandaid on it, then covered it with a gooey substance which she hardened/cured and made into a “papoose” that covered the open gums. Worked like a charm! Aside from having that wad of hard stuff in my mouth, I am just about pain free. The hope is that while my gums are covered and not being moved around and touched, that they will begin to heal.

        Reply
  53. Hello!

    I had my first two dental implants done on January 22, 2018. Both upper, on right and left sides. The left implant never felt right from the very beginning. I also began to experience a slight sore throat with post nasal drip which I still have. When I had the stitches removed 3 weeks later, the dentist said they were both doing fine. The left one always felt more swollen but I lived with it, thinking it was OK. It continued to bleed when I flossed under the bridge that was over it. About 5 weeks post op, the gum over the left implant was noticeably swollen, painful, red and I felt pressure bending over. My dentist was on vacation when I went in on March 5. The substitute dentist x-rayed it and said he didn’t see anything but gave me antibiotics. They helped! Well after another 10 days, the pain was back and I went my regular dentist. He cleaned it with a laser with one small incision. 3 days later pus was coming out of the incision. 5 days ago, he he opened up my gums and said 1/3 of the implant bone was gone – he spent about an hour with the laser and did excessive grafting around the surrounding teeth as well. I have 5 stitches. The swelling was bad for the first 3 days, but I still feel pressure on the left side of my face and head, still have the post nasal drip and the sensation over the implant still feels swollen. I generally feel kind of crappy too. The gums are pretty rough looking, with bruising and some bleeding and I swear I do smell pus sometimes. I am supposed to go back in 10 days for the suture removal. My heart and gut tells me its still not right. NOTE: I have had extensive dental work throughout my life. I have several crowns, root canals and 3 bridges. My parents never made me brush my teeth as a child and I have paid the price through out my life. I am 57 and have impeccable dental habits now. I brush and floss twice per day, without fail.

    Reply
  54. Dr,
    I had a sinus lift January 12, with 3 implants to my upper right teeth. That Thursday I went in to horrible pain and was told it was healing and I might be just slow to heal. I was taking Cipro.
    On Monday I couldn’t take it anymore and went it for severe pain. He said my gum was swollen and gave me augmenton 875mg tid. He said he didn’t know why I was hurting so bad. That night I had the worst pain of my lift and about 2 in the morning my gum busted open and thick green pus was pouring out. About 1/4 cup if I were to measure. I called the next morning and he said just keep taking my augmenton and he’ll see me Wednesday. I went in Wednesday and he said keep taking my augmenton and he’ll see me Friday.
    He didn’t want to do any scans at this point. He said in 22years he’s never had a graft fail. I also have a wierd air feeling in my gums when I sniff, but he wasn’t concerned. So I go in Friday and it’s the same story! I’m still hurting, I’m still draining but come back Monday. I go in Monday and he (the oral surgeon)was running late so his partner saw me. He added flagyl and they said they’d see me Wednesday. I go Wednesday and I’m still having pain but the swelling is going down some. I’m still having pus and bone fragments. He said I’ll see you in a week.
    So here I am the last day of flagyl and I’m still having pus and bone fragments. The pain is definitely less and it’s still a little swollen and definitely numb. The drainage is still green with a foul taste. My appointment is Wednesday so3 days away. I’m at a loss! This has been the worst experience of my life. 3 antibiotics and more than 50 Motrin 800’s plus Tylenol round the clock every 4 hours. He doesn’t want to go back in and says the antibiotic can heal it even if the lift is bad.
    I need another professional opinion:(
    I’m also severely nauseous from the flagyl. But I’ve taken it tid as prescribed.
    Thank you so very much!

    Reply
    • Yikes…3d scan to Make sure drainage hole for sinus is open, decongestants to open of passages, **REMOVE GRAFT** because it has been too long and antibiotics to not get rid of the dead stuff and pus, culture pus. Augmentin and Flagyl is a great combo. Ask for zofran for nausea.

      KEEP ME POSTED –not normal!!!!!

      Reply
      • I went in today and it’s going to get cleaned and drained on Wednesday. He said he’d know when he goes in if it’s the membrane or graft. Thank you for your advice!
        This has been a long and exhausting 3 1/2 weeks!

        Reply
    • Yikes…3d scan to Make sure drainage hole for sinus is open, decongestants to open of passages, **REMOVE GRAFT** because it has been too long and antibiotics to not get rid of the dead stuff and pus, culture pus. Augmentin and Flagyl is a great combo. Ask for zofran for nausea.

      KEEP ME POSTED –not normal!

      Reply
      • Update: I went in yesterday prepared for the surgeon to clean it out. The ct showed my right sinus was full, he said my gum looked better than 2 days ago and I didn’t have any pus so he wanted to give me round 4 of antibiotics and see me in 2 days. Well I woke up with green pus coming from my gums and pain once again. I was told that the antibiotic can heal the membrane if it’s infected. But I’m 4 weeks in now and my stomach is a mess from all these antibiotics and with continued draining I’m at a loss!
        Do I demand he go in even after my gums supposedly look better? But continue to pus?
        I’m at my breaking point!

        Reply
          • Thank you for all your advice! I agree and have a call in for the surgeon.
            I’ll keep you updated.
            Again, thank you for all that you do!

          • He’s going to go back in today! My only concern is the pus and pain is intermittent and this morning I didn’t have pus. It still feels like a big knot in my cheek and gum area and I took alieve so I’m not in pain.
            This happened Wednesday and that’s why he wants to keep waiting.
            Should regardless have him go in?
            Thank you again!
            Making decisions are stressful and confusing since I don’t know what’s going on.

          • I went in Friday and he finally opened it up. First, I was awake with nitrous and when he numbed me in the sinus area I felt and tasted all the pus and medicine drain down my throat in a rush. It was a very painful and stressful experience.
            He cleaned it out and said the membrane was bad and desolving and part of the graft didn’t look good either so he only took out the bad part then cleaned everything. I was put back on augmenton 875 bid. And since I don’t tolererate Sudafed told to take dimeatapp. I really hope this will be the answer for me to heal.
            I’m extremely sore and achey from the procedure today but I will say the green drainage that I was getting from my mouth and nose is gone at this time.
            I’m nervous because he didn’t take the entire graft out.
            I don’t want to ever have this traumatic experience again.

          • This is definitely not a usual experience for most. Of course complications can happen but we try to avoid them at all costs. Seeing a very experienced provider will prevent or reduce the chance of complications. Just so you know, I have re-grafted patients that have had failed bone grafts in the past with great success. It is possible if you ever get the courage to do it again.

            thank you so much for sharing your entire story from beginning to end

  55. wish I could have heard your information, but sound of your voice was so soft I could not hear you. No way to turn up the volume

    Reply
  56. Hello I hope it’s ok to leave this message here but I have recently had my bottom left 2nd molar from back retreated with root canal. The tooth itself is no longer sensitive like it was by I am still having some jaw ache and pressure type feeling and my gums feel very irritated but look fine. I also get sharp pain from ear down the side of jaw. My Endodontics said the next step would be extraction my fear is I am allergic to many antibiotics penicillin, azythromyacin, keflex and clindamycin which are all the preferred antibiotics for implant. If I go with a bridge to avoid antibiotics does this put my jaw or teeth at greater risk of anything?

    Reply
  57. Dear Dr.
    I want to have extractions, cleaning, sinus lift, implants 8-10, and veneers in the Dominican Republic. It will take a team of 5 doctors to do the work right. I have to stay 2 weeks. Do you think it’s safe to do all this in two weeks?

    Reply
  58. My wife has a root canal over 50 years ago. She had a root canal redo in ~1995 after a apical resection did not eliminate an infected root canal. Amazingly the infection subsided. Over a month ago she develop a mild pain in the upper gum with swelling in the apical area and was placed on antibiotics for three weeks while we were on vacation. She followed up with her endodontist who noted a pustule on the upper gum, opened it up, purulent material drained, and he noted a cracked root. Antibiotics were continued and she was sent to an implant specialist. His xrays demonstrated that the apical area was the only infected area. He is planning on extracting the tooth and inserting an implant on the same day. Would it be preferable to extract the tooth and let the area rest for a few months before inserting the implant? I am concerned that the infection could spread to a congenital heart valve abnormality. Thanks

    Reply
    • Thanks for your detailed explanation!!!
      Immediate implants by a skilled provider are very predictable. Of course a two stage procedure is completely ok but if the long term success is the same for both methods, then the choice becomes more obvious. If this is a front tooth it can make it more predictable or more risky. Just have a frank discussion with your dentist about it and ask about their past experiences in similar situations.

      Antibiotics should be on board before the extraction to prevent issues. If the infection has active pus, pain and redness I would not place the implant.

      The rules are different for one implant between natural teeth vs when I remove all teeth and place 12 implants simultaneously.

      Good luck. 🙂

      Reply
  59. Hi Doctor Ramsey, Thank you for your post and video.
    Acute question: I just had a dental implant procedure done at a specialist clinic, not my normal dentist. I was given antibiotics to take post surgery (which is right now now): Amoxicillin for 7 days (no pre-antibiotics). I was not prepared for this and I don’t want to take Antibiotics..

    Im 30 and very healthy. No smoking or drinking, Taking lots of vitamin C and supplements.

    Do you think it’s a stupid risk to run not taking the antibiotics? I’ve read several studies online and see that succes rate without A is 94% vs, 97% with A. In healthy, low-risk people like me.

    Thank you, your opinion is very muc appreciated and I will read your other comments now.

    Reply
    • An implant is a foreign body that “in general” should be covered by antibiotics. Many of these studies are done with really simple, straightforward dental implants and not ones that are in bone loss situations or bone grafted situations. If it were me I would take the antibiotics and I would also take a yeast based probiotic along with. This way it does not cancel out the probiotic because it is a nonbacterial version. I like the brand floarstor and recommended routinely. I would also suggest to her mouth rinsing with 0.12% chlorhexidine 3 times daily for a week. This has antibiotic properties also. Without antibiotics, most of the surgical procedures done in medicine today would not even be possible!

      The providers experience, surgical sterility and time taken can also increase or decrease your chance of becoming infected

      Reply
      • Can the antibiotics be taken shorter than the 7 day traditional recommendation if no signs of infection/problems are present? I have read that there are a lot of conflicting or lack or research supporting the full duration of the antibiotic.

        Reply
        • antibiotics should be used very judiciously. But there are times where a shorter duration is fine and there are times where I will place a patient on an antibiotic for 2 solid weeks. This is not a decision that should be made by you but rather evaluated by your physician/dentist based on so many factors such as difficulty of surgery, surgical flap size, vascularity, medical comorbidities, bone density, medications, age, introduction of foreign bodies, bone graft dental implants etc. If you develop an infection will having any sort of advanced procedure your likely to lose the implant/graft etc.

          Reply
  60. Dear Doctor, I had a tooth extracted, due to a cracked root canal and an immediate bone graft placed with an implant screw. The site was healing very nicely at week one, then it started to have a foul smell and part of the bone graft seemed to come out. Since then at week 3 I have a very swollen gum, it has swollen over the implant and I can no longer see the top of the implant. Also I now have pus draining from the site. I started on Azithromycin 500 mg. and am on day two of the antibiotic. I have also been doing salt water mouth wash. There is redness and pain in the area now. What should I do, I have travelled and am not in the same country as the implant was performed. Should I seek a local dentist? How long should I wait until I see someone?

    Reply
    • Do not wait to see a dentist. The area should be evaluated and a second antibiotic or different antibiotics should be used in addition to a possible Betadine irrigation or debridement. There is a good chance your losing bone or could lose the implant entirely. Find someone that focuses on implant dentistry rather than just regular dentistry.

      Reply
  61. I think this is the most informative site about dental implants.
    I want to say thank you. There are just not enough honest open sites like this.
    I think there is a lot of people out there who have not been given the facts needed to make an informed choice.
    I wish I had found this before my surgery.

    Reply
  62. Hi
    Dear Doc
    I had a root canal done 4 weeks ago..(bottom right) it caused terrible pain, also crown was too high,it has now been adjusted. It hurt for a full 7 days! While healing i noticed i had another pain i thought it was the top (upper right) of the teeth but the dentist said nothing was there, there was no crack! . But i just realized it was the tooth behind the root canal root.. it feels sensitive to biting!! I cant believe this is happening!! Its been so expensive! Is it possible that the tooth behind (root canal tooth) become infected? Does this happen ? Cant this be cleared by antibiotics… This tooth was fine before the one in front became infected! Just what do i do now? I cant afford any more time from work or money! Wont this just get better on its own?

    Reply
  63. Dr. Amin,
    Thank you for your informative video. I have to do an extraction of tooth #3 this coming week because it is still infected after a root canal re-treat. The additional complicating factor is that I also need to have endoscopic sinus surgery for polyps and chronic sinusitis – this was originally scheduled for 2 weeks from tomorrow but now may need to be rescheduled. My sinus dips down right above the root of this tooth, so it might likely require a sinus lift procedure too.

    My question is on timing of the bone graft – whether it needs to be done at the time of extraction, or can be delayed a couple months. My periodontist said he always ideally likes to graft bone at the time of extraction if the plan is to do an implant for the missing tooth, which I want to do. This would mean delaying my sinus surgery, which could be done, but how long do you think I should wait before the sinus surgery if grafting is done? And what would be the disadvantages of waiting a couple months to do a bone graft?

    Also, if there is a pre-existing severe infection around the root of this tooth, does this make bone grafting at the time of extraction more risky? Thank you.

    Reply
    • The two procedures should be separated by a 2-3 months.
      I would take out the tooth first and graft at the same time as long as the infection hasn’t penetrated your sinus.

      This way if you have any sinus complications the ENT can help on the tail end.

      Reply
  64. Dear Doc Amin,

    Good day, im 28yrs old from philippines. i am so worried of my bone graft and don’t know what would be the consequences. I had 2 implant and bone graft at the same time 1week ago on my upper front tooth. After 1 week i have to come back as the stitch on the other one was gone loose and the bone graft was exposed i can tatse the grafts so i came back to him and he stitch again. The graft still expose and 1 day later when i woke up today the bone graft that has been exposed became a whole now that makes me worried. The other one was all ok which he made extraction too. But this one here that makes all the complications was a missing tooth 11yrs ago. What can u advice me doc, i am so worried please help.

    Thanks

    Kind regards,
    Erma

    Reply
  65. After, I had a infected tooth extracted and my face swelled up. I had to submitted to the hospital due, to swelling.

    Reply
    • I’m guessing this was a lower tooth like it wisdom tooth or second molar that can compromise your ability to breathe if the infection heads towards your throat or if you develop hematoma on the inside surface after extraction.

      Reply
  66. I hope you can answer I am having an implant 6/17 no bone grafting planned…although this guy seems to prescribe antibiotics for implants regardless. I am dead set on not taking them unless infection occurs however i do have some holistic options on board for preventative. As I have no known health issues and am a clean unprocessed diet would this be an option you would entertain? I don’t really like what happens to me on antibiotics and it takes months for me to get my body back to normal after a round of them.

    Reply
    • There are more factors to decide this than I can answer in a single post.

      If the implant is really basic I would suggest at the minimum a single loading dose of antibiotics 1 hour prior to first incision. An implant is a foreign body entering the bone. The bone space connects to many non intra oral spaces that infections can spread.

      Just some food for thought. ?

      Reply
  67. Dear Dr. Amin,

    At this time I’m hoping you will be able to give me your opinion in regards to my current situation.
    I had an implant placed last July after the tooth was pulled 5 months prior.
    I had no infection after the implant was placed. About 2 months ago the screw in crown was placed . When the crown was placed the area were it was inserted was very sensitive for almost a week.
    Because it was sensitive I made the mistake of not cleaning it for the first week. I then started having symptoms of infection. It was on a Saturday when I noticed the infection. Because the implant was placed in the area of my left nostril, I decided to pour warm salt water down my nose to hopefully get rid of the infection. When I did pour it the pain was extreme as if someone hit me in the face with a baseball bat. I immediately took some advil and kept rinsing my mouth with salt water for a few days. The dentist then put me on anti-biotics and the infection cleared up. A few weeks later I fell asleep after attending a dinner party without cleaning my teeth. I woke up with another infection and started to again rinse with warm salt water and Listerine. A few days later I went to my regular dentist to have her unscrew the implant crown to check for infection and she said there was nothing visible. After another round of anti-bio tics and rinsing after every meal, I have no more issues and it’s been almost a month now.

    The x-ray that my regular dentist took, according to her, showed a slightly dark and cloudy area around the new implant tooth. She emailed it to me as well as to the implant doctor. He then had me come in to check the implant via his own x-ray. He has told me that because I have no current symptoms of any infection and that the implant and crown are not wiggling or lose, that there seems to be no issue currently. He does want me to come back in a month so he can take another x-ray and has said he will take out the implant if I have symptoms that there is an infection.

    Here is my question which I would so much appreciate if you would answer—

    Does an x-ray that shows some a slight dark and cloudy area definitely mean the implant is infected and needs to be removed even when there are no symptoms of failure?

    It’s the implant on the right side that is the one in question. I’m not an expert but I don’t see any difference at all around the area of either implant.

    Thanks in advance for any info you are willing to share with me.
    PS—I have 2 digital x-rays but don’t know how to post them here. Is there a way I’m able to post the x-rays?

    Thanks for your help!
    Diane

    Reply
  68. Hi … I have read through the blog and watched your video. I had an extraction and bone graft tooth #3 on 4/19/ 2016 after having a failed root canal and apico. The tooth showed signs of localized infection. I have a history of sever c diff and can’t take ANY antibiotics according to my GI. The extraction went well not much pain and day 2 zero pain however, your comments are concerning about the risk of infection . My oral surgeon said he cleaned the infection very well and all looked great and he understood I can’t take the antibiotics. Is there still a high risk of infection and how long until I am out of the woods?
    Thanks,
    Chip

    Reply
    • All you can really do is assume the risk at this point. Either way is risky whether or not you take antibiotics or you don’t. The size and technique of the graft also placed a big role on whether or not it becomes infected or not. Because you developed C. difficile before your likely to develop that again. As long as you have a good immune system, you don’t have any bad lifestyle habits and the graft is fairly small hopefully nature will just do its thing. Good luck!

      Reply
      • Thanks for your reply! After having 4 severe cases of c diff that lasted for over a year and ended needing a FMT to cure the c diff obviously infection concerns me. What is the general time frame one would be looking at if an infection was going to occur?
        Thanks!

        Reply
        • The first month after having the implant surgery and/or bone graft would be the most common to develop an infection. Did the FMT Fecal Microbiota Transplantation work?

          Reply
  69. These videos are great. I had an upper molar extracted in November ’15 and have been putting off the implant process, even debating whether or not to replace it (the second from the back is what’s missing). The tooth originally had a crack under a crown and they attempted a root canal but it had to come out. I was on one course of climomycin (sp), then another on cipro back to back for the extraction. I developed C-Diff as a result. I’m only 55 and haven’t been near a hospital in 8 years and hadn’t been sick literally for 25 years prior to the tooth incident. I’ve recovered from that, but now I’m terrified not of getting an implant, but of having to take antibiotics. My dentist says there is no alternative. That’s why I’ve been considering leaving it alone. Have you heard of such a scenario? He doesn’t think I’ll need a bone graft – just the “tapping” procedure that you described. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Each situation and each patient’s history has to be evaluated carefully to make a decision to do a dental implant without any antibiotics at all including preoperative antibiotics. Regardless, you’re taking risk but you need to have this discussion with your dentist. You might want to see somebody who is very experienced and has a long track record of success to reduce your chance of infection if no systemic antibiotics will be used.

      Antibiotics are most important when bone grafts are involved.

      Reply
  70. I was wondering if you have seen a situation where Clindamycin caused an increase in E. Faecalis? This happened and I was put on Doxy and Flagyl and they didn’t help.. my symptoms worsened and then I was put on Cipro and I feel as if I may get pancreatitis.

    Reply
  71. I have diabetes. I was told I need antibiotics for tooth removal and possibly implants. Issue here is I have had awful side effects on these. It’s bad enough to need all this work done but even worse is the thought of medication. Antibiotics cause my nervous system to go crazy causing effects like body burning, anxiety and so much more. Are they really needed. And if so what could be a conservative plan? I appreciate your video. Thanks.

    Reply
    • each situation is unique. Her diabetes status needs to be evaluated in the context of the surgery and surgical technique/materials that will be used. You should speak to your dentist about this. Diabetics are much more prone to infection and slower healing of bone grafting and dental implants. The lower your blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c, the better

      Reply
  72. Good Morning Doctor-

    I had bone grafting and 3 teeth implants done in Jan 22nd 2016… It is today Feb 22nd of 2016.. I have been on more medications and antibiotics, and I’m still in the same situation….. .. The middle implant got all infected, my Surgeon cleaned it all out and put me back on Biaxin for 10 days.. I’m going back this evening to see him, my Chin and bottom lip are all num… its already 5 weeks..

    Please reach out to me [email protected],

    Reply
    • If there is questions as towards whether the implants are causing the numbness they should be taken out. This will likely resolve the infection and allow areas to heal.

      I would also suggest a treatment with some steroids also. Keep us posted

      Reply
  73. Hi Dr, Amin,

    Tomorrow my root canaled tooth #14 will be extracted. I am not prescribed antibiotics prior to my extraction which I am happy about it. My gum around tooth #14 is not swollen or sore. I feel fine. This is probably a dumb question but since I am very nervous about my extraction, will I feel pain during the extraction? I heard local injection will not numb my infection side if I don’t use antibiotics and having an infected root canal before the extraction date…

    My other question is I will have bone grafting right after the extraction. And then plan is having an implant in 4 months. I don’t like to use antibiotics especially because I used a lot of antibiotics in the past and I am only 30 years old.I would rather use vitamins and supplements to fight with the infection. But of course I do not now if it is required for my future implant operation. Do you suggest using antibiotics after bone grafting?

    Reply
      • Thank you Dr, Amin. Your articles made me somewhat knowledgeable and my doctor was suprised while I was asking him some questions before my extraction:) hopefully I did not bother him.
        I did not feel anything during the extraction. It actually happened pretty fast. I hope that area is cleaned very well… Extraction With the bone grafting took about 15-25 minutes of the nitrous didn’t fool me:)
        I was not given antibiotics prior. My dentist said that the only reason he is giving me antibiotics now is because bone grafting. It is called cephalexing. As for pain relievers I am using Vicodin and ibuprofen one at a time exchanging. I took a day of from work and will take today real easy. Hope my healing goes well without any contradiction.

        Reply
  74. Hello Doctor,
    I had a block bone graft done a month ago and everything was going well until I noticed the gum above one of the teeth near where the graft was placed has now healed and also noticed small amount of pus coming out. I did not take any antibiotics after the surgery and the surgeon not placed me on it for a week. I do not have any pain unless I press heavily with my finger on the gum where the graft was placed. Should I avoid the area with my tongue completely or is it a good idea to massage it around the healthy area that has healed. I was told I can use the antibiotic mouthwash and my finger to massage the area around. Thank you very much.

    Reply
  75. Hello Doctor,
    I had a block bone graft done a month ago and everything was going well until I noticed the gum above one of the teeth near where the graft was placed has not healed and also noticed small amount of pus coming out. I did not take any antibiotics after the surgery and the surgeon not placed me on it for a week. I do not have any pain unless I press heavily with my finger on the gum where the graft was placed. Should I avoid the area with my tongue completely or is it a good idea to massage it around the healthy area that has healed. I was told I can use the antibiotic mouthwash and my finger to massage the area around. Thank you very much.

    Reply
  76. My son has infection smell in his mouth where the bone graft is, he loose teeth, it’s oozing and serious pain. The dentist is hard to get ahold of and we have a poor insurance. He is taking hydro for pain and penicillin for antibiotic. Now what? Surgery was 7 days ago.

    Reply
    • He needs to see the surgeon for a follow up asap….please reply when you find out the outcome for the benefit of other readers.

      Reply
  77. I just had a dental implant done and it is infected. My dentist increased my Clindamycin to 300mg 4x per day. I’ve finally had some relief, but still am having pain. I have about 3 days left on my antibiotic….. How long does this type of infection take to clear up!! Thank you for a reply in advance!!

    Reply
    • Some infections can be aggressive and take 1-2 weeks to cure. I would suggest a culture and sensitivity test and perhaps switching antibiotics or adding a different antibiotic to the mix. Is the infection gone now as of Christmas Day?

      Reply
      • We switched to Augmentin about 3 days ago. They took the bone graft out on Monday. I’m feeling a lot better, but still a little swollen and slight pain. I’ve been able to just use 800mg Motrin. I think I’m on the mend. Thank you for your reply.

        Reply
        • wow…. Took the graft out….. I rarely have to do that and I do bone grafting procedures every single day.

          I’m glad you’re better but I am only sorry that you’ll end up having to repeat the procedure. There are other options of antibiotics and local treatment rather than removing the entire graft but sometimes it is the only option. Of course without seeing you there is no way that I could be certain.

          Thanks for the follow-up

          Reply
  78. a month ago, firstly my doctor took a 3D scan of my mouth areas that I had been considering having dental implant, then he did a virtual surgery on the computer without touching my mouth. It didn’t hurt at all.

    Reply
  79. I just had a dental implant and was given antiobiotics Metronizadole and swelling medicine Dasathasone. I took one of each immediately after the surgery. Is it compulsory for me to continue taking the medicine as i am trying for a baby with my wife and i was told by my urologist that it is not good if the baby is conceived while i am on such medication? Will infections occur if i do not take them? After a night of rest, i do not feel any pain around the implant area. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Hi Ng,

      You’re taking additional risks by not being on the antibiotics and the dexamethasone if it was prescribed by your implant surgeon. If it was a very straight forward, non-complicated dental implant without a bone graft and you’re a healthy young man with a healthy lifestyle, you will likely be okay.

      The experience of your dentist is got a lot to do with how well things will turn out. Also using a sterile set up like I have shown on this post, will help decrease the chance of infection. I’m sure you will be fine. Good luck on the baby….. I have a few kids myself and they are great!
      😉

      Happy Thanksgiving

      Very respectfully,

      Ramsey A. Amin, D.D.S.
      Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology /Implant Dentistry
      Fellow-American Academy of Implant Dentistry

      Reply
  80. Dr. Amin: I watched your video and have a few questions. I am post surgery from 9/18/15 and still having pain and swelling in the left lower jaw. I had two implants placed, teeth 20 and 21 and am beside myself. For two weeks I have been taking 800 mg of Ibuprofen and Hydrocodone for pain.

    I did go to a well known dental school in Philadelphia to have this work done but I am really tired of being in pain. I did go back a few days after surgery because I was in so much pain and the student dentist said everything looked good, no infection.

    I had the stitches out last Friday, October 2nd and again he said everything was healing nicely. If everything is healing nicely why do I have so much pain and swelling still. If I knew it was this much pain I would not have had this done and would have opted for a partial plate.

    Thank you for any input.

    Reply
    • Take a 3d scan to evaluate the position of the implants to the nerve. It is possible that it is pressing on the nerve.

      Also a scan and a regular X-ray can look for rare things such as osteomyelitis.

      I am sorry you are having so much pain…this is not common but can occur especially in the lower jaw.

      If pain is not gone in 4 weeks and it is that bad, you may want to remove the implants.

      Your past and current medical history may also be the cause of the pain.

      Reply
  81. Hi there,

    I’m wondering if you can offer some advice? I had my back upper 3rd molar extracted approximately 7 weeks ago. It was done with stitches and a cheek flap. Since this time I have suffered from continual pain in the bone in and around the extraction site. I think it’s improving and then it starts getting worse again.

    I have also had sinus surgery recently due to a bacterial infection caused by perforation of the same tooth. My sinus issues still continue and I’m on 2 antibiotics and halfway through a course of pulmicort which I’m inserting into my sinus rinses. I’m doing salt water rinses and basic pain killers only take the edge of the pain.

    I’m at my wits end and I feel as though I’m annoying my oral surgeon as he cannot see anything wrong and xrays have shown no abnormalities. I’m 33 and have been on antibiotics for the most part of this year and am desperately unhappy. I’m wondering if you can offer any advice or suggest any avenues that have not been explored.

    Reply
    • Hmm…I hope you have had a ct scan and that the surgeon and the sinus doctor are the same person or they know what the other is doing. If not, see an ENT immediately.
      If you smoke or have any other medical conditions this could slow things down too.

      Some bone infections can get so bad that they turn into osteomyelitis and would require antibiotics via IV. Fortunately osteomyelitis is not that common in the upper though.
      The other likely thing is called an oral Antral fistula. This must be closed surgically for you to heal.
      Make sure if you reply to cut and paste this thread back into your new post.

      Good luck.

      Reply
      • Hmm…I hope you have had a ct scan and that the surgeon and the sinus doctor are the same person or they know what the other is doing. If not, see an ENT immediately.
        If you smoke or have any other medical conditions this could slow things down too.

        Some bone infections can get so bad that they turn into osteomyelitis and would require antibiotics via IV. Fortunately osteomyelitis is not that common in the upper though.
        The other likely thing is called an oral Antral fistula. This must be closed surgically for you to heal.

        Hi there,

        Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to find a doctor who can help with both the tooth and the sinus. I have seen two ENT’s and had the tooth removed by a reputable oral surgeon. The CT scan revealed that there is some congestion remaining in my sinus, however, I don’t believe that there was any evidence of an oral fistula. Every time I go off antibiotics, the sinus issue seems to flare up and becomes refilled with pus. I cannot help but feel that the pain at my extraction site is related. Examination of the site shows that everything is healing as it should. It is possible for an oral fistula to remain undetected on a CT scan? The new ENT I am seeing seems to think that the problem may be nerve related, but I am skeptical as the pain is always there. Anyway, any additional insight would be much appreciated.

        Thank you for your response.

        Reply
  82. My dental implant in #5 that also had bone grafting, shows bone loss in the latest x-ray. I was told, I cannot get the implant. He told me to come back in a month!
    I went to another dentist because he is giving me invisalign braces on my bottom teeth. He said the “bone loss” is an infection, and he prescribed me the Z-pack as we were going out of the country, and that area, had shooting pain.
    Why would he not make an appointment to have it removed again?
    It hurt like hell when he had to remove it the first time it failed.
    He only prescribed antibiotics when he drilled in the implant.
    No antibiotics during the first bone graft, or even the second one, when he had to SCRAPE out the infected graft.
    I have a headache now and also #12 has shooting pain.
    No x-ray to check even when I complained about it.

    Is this NORMAL behavior when things go bad?
    I am terrified, both implants HURT, and I am getting NO CALLS back from the dental surgeon, or my own dentist.
    I emailed PUBLIC HEALTH, because I cannot get anyone to help me.
    I do not want to sue anyone. I just want this mess addressed!!!!!
    What should I do now?

    Reply
    • 7-10 days would be considered normal.

      Ramsey A. Amin, D.D.S.
      Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology /Implant Dentistry
      Fellow-American Academy of Implant Dentistry

      Reply
      • Background
        I have an upcoming surgery in two weeks to remove a tooth root that is infected and has caused bone loss. Apparently the tooth root has been hidden between two other teeth and never come to the surface. I had multiple teeth removed as a child due to overcrowding. It may have been there since then???
        Question
        My question is regarding antibiotics prior to the surgery. The gum has been swollen for over three weeks. The area was cleaned by my dentist as much as they could of the puss and blood. I brush and rinse with hydrogen peroxide twice a day.
        Symptoms
        BUT I have developed 2 small, tender pimple like cysts under my arm. Should I be worried? I am using topical antibiotic cream on the cysts. I don’t have fever but do have headaches and my ears have become tender – wearing face masks can cause ear-ache in the outer ear
        Concerns
        One hears horror stories of oral infections moving to the brain. I know!!! My brain is not under my armpit 🤪 but should I be worried about possible lymph node involvement. My oral surgery will involve iv antibiotics and follow up antibiotics, but it’s the intervening 2 weeks that have me worried.
        Thank you for not laughing at me 😌

        Reply
          • Hello Dr. love what you do here. But aren’t there times where tooth infections do cause systemic symptoms such as feeling generally unwell. The distinctive feeling that the body is fighting an infectious process. Let third she, lack of appetite headache even fever, that sort of thing.
            Is that different from the infection actually entering the bloodstream?

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