Expert answers
We know how daunting dental treatment can be. Our Dental Phobia certified experts are here to help ease your mind before treatment by answering your questions.
Should I Get a Second Opinion About Dry Socket?
Hi, I had a tooth extracted on Friday, which was the worst experience I’ve ever had. However, I’m now in far more pain than prior to having the tooth removed. I’m taking painkillers every 3 hours and not sleeping at night as it is so severe.
I went back yesterday as the pain is so unbearable, where the dentist informed me that I now had “dry socket” and will take an additional 15-20 days to heal.
Can I move to a dentist elsewhere and seek a second opinion, as she has been no help whatsoever and I can’t continue to suffer like this. I also think she has disturbed one of my top teeth, as the pain is at the top of the mouth too.
I will try to give you some tips on how to manage this.
If the extraction was difficult, then its likely you would have some post-operative pain and that’s to be expected.
However, you should have been given some post operative instructions on how to take painkillers.
A dry socket is very painful, sometimes it’s difficult to kill off the pain without strong painkillers and antibiotics can help, but are not necessarily the answer. The dentist is right that the pain may be at a level of 10 at the moment on the scale of 1-10, but the pain score does gradually go down, the number of painkillers reduces, but it can take up to 3 weeks for the score to be zero.
She will not have disturbed one of your top teeth, but the pain can radiate all over. You need some advice about what painkillers to take and that’s not something I can advise, as I don’t know you. Yes, seek a second opinion, that’s something that you can do, and they may be able to help with the pain.
I’ve had one of these and didn’t realise how painful they were. Hope this helps a bit, Jenny.
