Paging Dr. King (was:Re: root canal failure)

Susan wrote:

This was on the bottom right. Which is one of the reasons why my entire right cheek, jaw and down my neck swelled up and became black and blue

This is very unusual, the dentist even said that too. Perhaps he was inexperienced in this field.

Has to be finished up at some point. Wondering if I should even go back to him or not. Afraid it will happen again

It has improved since last Wednesday. But a bit concerned that the dentist has not made a call to see how I am doing since last Thursday


I have changed the header and hope our resident oral surgeon will read this. I'm thinking it may still be possible with an errant injection to the pterygoid plexus if the injection is a bit high and lateral.
Before I start to dig out my anatomy and anesthesia texts, maybe Dr. King will read this.

Steve



Steven Bornfeld wrote:



Susan wrote:

I went in to the dentist to have 2 root canals done, side by side. The one came out ok. Then he started working on the other one. Then the sh__ hit the fan.

I let out a scream and within moments my right cheek swelled up so big I look like a freak show. By that night, not only was I all swelled on my cheek, jaw and down my neck, I was also black and blue.

Did this guy know what the heck he was doing or what? He said as a result of the needle hitting a vein, it was hematoma.

Now, I have had many root canals over course of time. But never like this. Talked to many people and they are shocked too

He never did get the chance to finish it. And I had to be out of work Thursday and Friday taking sick leave. Could hardly open my mouth to talk. Let alone not being able to eat much of anything

I am at a loss here, and don't know whether I should go back and have him finish it (and hit another vein) or find someone else. Really confused

Any suggestions?

Susan



If this is in the upper premolar or first molar area, your dentist doubtless damaged a vein in the pterygoid venous plexus. I've seen this only once--the patient in the cubicle next to me in dental school. I think the instructor may have given the injection.
It's almost certainly just one of those things. You have to stay close to the bone to try to avoid the plexus. My guess is (based on the rarity of this happening) than unless you have a very unusually prominent plexus this is unlikely to happen again.
You probably should be followed by an oral surgeon to manage the hematoma, and may need to be on antibiotics to lessen the chance of infection.

Steve




--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001
.

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