Got a swelling post-extraction. Why has it not reduced?

Question

Hi doctor,

A couple of months ago, I took out my lower wisdom tooth. There were complications and my inferior alveolar nerve was compressed during the extraction. I dealt with lip and chin numbness for over a month and I still have swelling below my chin in the jaw and neck area. It looks like a double chin and I did not have it before the extraction. I was wondering if it was fluid buildup. Is there any way to get rid of it, because it is not going away by itself. I had taken antibiotics, but the swelling did not reduce. Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. It does not seem to be like plain fluid, but hard to say without a picture. Do you have pain or fever? I would suggest using anti-inflammatory agents and antibiotics if you have pain or fever. I know you have used antibiotics before, but I am not sure which ones. Sometimes, my dentist fellow colleagues will use narrow spectrum antibiotics that may not cover an abscess, also sometimes it has to be drained, if it is an abscess. If the swelling is significant then I would suggest getting CT or MRI of mandible to look into nerve edema and abscess. You may also benefit from neuropathic medications if the numbness is bothersome. Please plan to see your primary care physician (PCP) for a thorough examination. Please keep me posted. If you already have the MRI results and need further help then please upload it along with the picture of your mouth, both open and closed. You can also use Ibuprofen 600 mg every eight hours for pain relief. Take care.