I’m about halfway through the healing phase of my dental implants. I’ve been so excited about this and hadn’t had any problems until recently. Yesterday, it felt tingly and spongy. Today, I woke up with the area swollen and painful. I haven’t eaten. Can I wait until I can get in to see the implant dentist or do I need to see an emergency dentist?
Sylvia P. – South Dakota
Sylvia,
This requires you get seen immediately. I’d let your implant dentist know what it going on. If he or she can’t see you right away, then go to an emergency dentist.
It sounds like you’ve developed an infection at your implant site. You don’t want it to settle in or you’ll lose your implant. If they have to remove the implant, you’ll have to get bone grafting done in order to re-start the procedure.
Even without the worry about the implant, you don’t want a tooth infection to spread. It’s close to your heart and brain. People still die from tooth infections.
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