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

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

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.

Answered by Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sadaf Mustafa is an Internal Medicine Specialist. She can diagnose and manage complex and multisystem disease. She can treat chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders. She can provide preventive care and routine health assessments. She can help in the management of infections and autoimmune diseases. She helps in the interpretation of diagnostic tests and imaging reports. She can do medication management and adjustment for long-term therapies.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At May 2, 2016
Reviewed At June 28, 2023

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sadaf Mustafa is an Internal Medicine Specialist. She can diagnose and manage complex and multisystem disease. She can treat chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders. She can provide preventive care and routine health assessments. She can help in the management of infections and autoimmune diseases. She helps in the interpretation of diagnostic tests and imaging reports. She can do medication management and adjustment for long-term therapies.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Companion

Post-Extraction Swelling Companion

How it works

After a tooth extraction, especially a wisdom tooth, complications can arise. Here's what you need to know about persistent swelling and nerve issues.

1

Swelling
Overview

2

Nerve
Symptoms

3

Swelling
Assessment

4

Antibiotics
Infection

5

Imaging
Tests

6

Treatment
Follow-up

This information is based on general medical guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice; consult a qualified clinician.

Always consult a doctor before taking medication; self-medication carries serious health risks. Take exact prescribed doses, and never start, change, or stop treatment without medical supervision.

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sadaf Mustafa is an Internal Medicine Specialist. She can diagnose and manage complex and multisystem disease. She can treat chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders. She can provide preventive care and routine health assessments. She can help in the management of infections and autoimmune diseases. She helps in the interpretation of diagnostic tests and imaging reports. She can do medication management and adjustment for long-term therapies.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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