Does a hole in the palate after apicoectomy heal by itself?

Question

Hi doctor,

I had an apicoectomy on tooth number 10, upper tooth nine days ago, the cyst was large and spreading to the palate. I still have the stitches, but what I am worried about is a hole in the palate. I feel air blowing from this hole extending to my front teeth where I have stitches. When it happens, I feel intense pain. I received a bone graft. Will it heal and close by itself? Please help.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Kindly let me know why you had the bone grafting procedure twice. I need to know the reason exactly, then I can recommend the correct measures, as I am a maxillofacial surgeon myself.

Usually, bone grafts should not be exposed to any kind of atmospheric interference, or the wound healing will not be proper or complete. So let me know the exact details, and I can help you out.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Here are some of the tips you can generally implement to promote better healing of your graft. The thing you have to understand is that bone grafts after placement may take up to one whole year to heal. Within this one year, you need to be extra careful.

Whenever you get such a swelling externally, you need to apply ice packs first to the swollen part of the outer jaw.
Eat only soft foods for some days when you get a repeated abscess or cyst like this.
Try elevating your head so that you reduce the pressure on the cyst and allow it to drain.
Start doing Chlorhexidine mouthwash twice a day.

A repeated abscess or cyst means an increased chance of graft failure. This is almost the second time in your upper tooth that the complication has been repeated. When such an abscess occurs, go to the dentist immediately or your maxillofacial surgeon.

If you cannot go to the clinic, you can try consulting me here directly. Now, coming to the final part, apart from these instructions to stop the swelling, the most important part is antibiotic prophylaxis.

If you tell me whether you have any allergy to any medicine or if you have an allergy to any Amoxicillin or related Penicillin allergies, you need to tell me right now because I am gonna prescribe you right now.

The swelling is quite huge, and the cystic content can be drained only through antibiotic prophylaxis. Also, let me know if you are taking other medicines for any other issues.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.