Dental Surgery question

[Sofa King]

Hey all,

I'm 70 days post op LTHR, and for the past 3 months I've had wisdom tooth pain that I've ignored. It has recently gotten worse, and I remember hearing and reading several times that a tooth infection, and/or dental surgery can complicate the hip prosthetic, for several months following surgery. I went to the Dentist last week, and told her about the past medical history. She put me on 10 days of Levaquin, but I haven't told my Dental Surgeon, nor my Ortho Surgeon. I'm scheduled to have 3 teeth removed next Thursday under general anesthesia, (Aug 21st), and am have quite a bit of pain, signs of infection, etc. I have a current fever of 100. Is there anything else I need to make the Dental Surgeon aware of? What are the dangers of me having this removal so soon after Hip replacement?

~Dalton

 

[JudyS]

Dalton,

Sorry about the teeth,it is always something.
My OS told me not to see a dentist yet. My 3 month apt is Aug 29th. I know we are close in hip dates.
Yes, I would most definately let your OS and dental surgeon know .

Good Luck with the teeth

Judy

 

[westexas]

Hey KFC,
Just happened to be on-line...The big factor is INFECTION...You need to contact your OS ASAP and after speaking to that office, you need to contact the Oral Surgeon before you do anything at all. I was told after making my appt. to have my teeth cleaned that I needed an OK from my OS. I was put on antibiotics as a safe guard. All was well.
BUT, do not do anything until you OK it with first the OS and then the Dental Surgeon...I am so sorry you are in so much pain....Anything with teeth is not much fun...And, thank God you are on antibiotics...Keep us posted...Patty

 

[Josephine]

Echo what's been said - but even for just dental cleaning you need a MINIMUM of 14 days antibiotics. For this, it should be about a month, I would think. Your surgeon should know and the dentist. You are in a high risk period. You cannot be careful enough.

 

[Sofa King]

Thanks Jo, Patty, and Judy,

I'm taking 10 days of Levaquin, (one per day), and I told my dentist, but not the dental Surgeon, nor the OS about it yet. (I tried to call the OS, but he was out of office and booked solid). I've felt so bad over the last week with tooth pain, hip pain, and back pain, I've kinda dropped the ball. I can't stand the tooth pain anymore, and will go ahead with the 3 tooth removal on Thursday the 21st, (I've GOT to get them OUT!), but I will definitely remind the Oral Surgeon about the THR and the need for continued antibiotics following the surgery.
I'll let you all know how it goes. By the way, my Wife had 4 Wisdom teeth removed last Friday from the same Oral Surgeon, and she's doing just fine. Weird how we both have had to have the same thing done so close together.


~Dalton

 

[JudyS]

Dalton,

I know dental pain is really bad. Make sure you tell the Oral Surgeon about your hip before surgery.
My spine doc has prescribed pain med for my back pain and I am in pt for my back too.
I can relate to the hip and back pain!! My knee has joined in as well as my right shoulder. Always something

Good Luck with the teeth. Please do not get an infection!!

Judy

 

[Josephine]

BTW, Dalton - the risk is not just from the infected tooth. When you have any dental work done, especially an extraction, it dumps a huge quantity of bacteria into the blood stream and that's the principle problem. Having a significant cover of antibiotics gets them dealt with in circulation before they can settle anywhere. What you are taking is a broad-spectrum antibiotic which is good but given that you are having multiple extractions, you do need more than a 10 day course - 14 days minimum.

 

[Sofa King]

Thanks for the reply and advice Jo and Judy,

I made sure the oral surgeon knew what was up before the extraction, and he called my OS to make sure all the ducks were in a row. They gave me a one time large dose of Penicillin, (4 capsules, 30 mins. before the surgery), and another 5 days of the Levaquin. They said that should be just fine. Everything went well, and I did the extraction with just a local. I'm home now with a mouth full of gauze, and a few mepergans. Piece of cake.

~Dalton

 

[Josephine]

Yep - like the 'ducks in a row' analogy - ducks=teeth! LOL But glad you're okay and all covered.

Make sure you don't dislodge those blood clots in the sockets. NO teeth cleaning for at least 48hrs and be VERY gentle with the mouth washes.

I had a dry socket once - you thought the pain before was no picnic - believe me, you do NOT want to try a dry socket.

 

[westexas]

Hey Dalton,
Glad it went well. I,too know about the dry socket....Had two after having wisdom teeth out and I was miserable..Migraine headache and a very bad mouth...Would not wish that on anyone.
Jo, much wiser on the having any extras done after hip replacement. I took a risk when I did the teeth cleaning. Thank goodness all went well with our Mr. KFC>>>>

 

[Josephine]

Yep - to use the old cliche "better safe than sorry"

 

[Sofa King]

Well, things didn't go as well as I hoped...


I am just now recovering from an average 101 (up to 102.7) fever for over 6 days. My Hip, and my jaw, hurt worse than ever, had nausea, aches, pains, etc, but, I continued taking my Levaquin daily, and finally, I feel a bit better. Folks, don't underestimate having dental work too soon following a THR. It really, REALLY, threw me for a loop; and I'm 38, and relatively fit. GOSH I do NOT want to go through that AGAIN! If you can delay any dental work for at least 6 months post THR, please do so.


~Dalton

 

[JudyS]

Dalton,
I hope you are on the road to recovery now. That sounds really miserable. Although it did not sound like it was anything you could delay.

I still have glute, quad and today down the back of my whole leg pain. I am swimming a mile at a time when I go to a pool (about 4 times per week) Walking a lot with the doggie. I just got the OK at my 3 month apt to go to a gym and use machines. Most Important I got the OK to hike. I am going to get ready to go on the first hike this am.

I guess I should post a 3 month thread.

Judy

 

[*gmac*]

Dalton-
Your the front runner. I too am really having teeth problems. Using lots of Oral Jul and partial pain med left overs for the last couple of days. Couple of days shy of 17 weeks post THR. The ringer is that I am still on Coumadin. Not sure where or what to do.
-Gary

 

[Josephine]

Get well soon, Dalton. I'll be praying ..

 

[westexas]

Hey KFC,
I am also thinking about you. I know that anything to do with the face or teeth is not a fun deal. Hope you get well soon. I am sure you are zapped at this point...Take care of yourself....Patty

 

[rejoyce318]

Dalton, I hope you are feeling more like your old (I'm older than you, so I can say that!), healthy self soon!

I'm going to have to have a tooth replaced - A twice-filled tooth cracked over the weekend - fortunately, my new dentist had Saturday hrs. & was open this weekend!
I took my prescribed antibiotics an hr. before he put in a temporary filling, & don't see him again till the 13th. I'm planning on calling my OS's nurse tomorrow to find out what I need to do antibiotic-wise, especially after reading about your experiences.

Feel better soon.
Joyce