So, I went to see an ENT today to try and find a resolution for my long tern constant sinus problems and more recent throat problems (not sore but feeling like there is a lump in my throat and hoarse all the time). Good news, vocal chords etc look good & no sign of anything that needs biopsying. He did refer me for a upper GI endoscope as I have inidigestion a lot and that can cause throat issues. Also suggested allergy testing because I have so much drainage despite being on 3 meds.
Odd things he found. A dental implant I have had for 4 years is sticking through into the sinuses. He suggested going to see the oral surgeon. I asked what needed to be done and he didn’t know.
The other odd thing was a hole in the floor of the sinus (other side and the side I have most of my sinus problems and the throat swelling). He said he had never seen anything like it. But had no suggestions of what to do. He did mention in passing that he could send me for a CT scan but seemed to leave it to me to decide.
I’m a bit lost about what to do really. My initial reaction was no to the CT scan. Now I’m wondering if the hole might be the root of my problems. And I’m not sure what, if anything, to do about the dental implant in the sinus. The procedure was very expensive and quite a miserable experience (took almost 2 years before I could actually get the teeth because of lots of problems and complications). I dont want to mess with it really.
I kind of feel like I’m more in the dark than before. Found there is something going on, but not really any guidance about what to do.
It sounds like the hole in the floor of the sinus is what would be called a nasal fistula. I would contact the oral surgeon to have them examine you and recommend a course of treatment. It may require a surgical fix.
And this is why I love college Confidential despite being several years removed from college. Thank you both so much! That sounds exactly like what it is. (Shouldn’t an ENT know what it is?). I will make the appointment with the oral surgeon. I’m feeling like the hole is the route of my major problems.
So frustrating - these problems have been going on for 4+ years and I feel like i keep getting the brush off cause I can feel (physically, not in some emo way!) there is something there but they can’t see it!
@BunsenBurner - I like having front teeth. But if I had it to do again, I would not. I think I was really not a good candidate.
Now, whether to go to the same oral surgeon or a different one.
It was too wide a space for a bridge and the roots of the surrounding teeth not strong enough. It was implants or dentures. Didn’t like the denture idea, but wish I’d gone that route!
Good point about the ENT punting the diagnosis to the oral surgeon. Though he seemed more concerned about the implant in the sinus. I’m more concerned by the hole because that is the side I am having all the swelling and discomfort in the roof of my mouth and now my throat.
Did you have a sinus lift procedure with the implant? The sinus membrane is so thin that even though it looks as though the implant is in the sinus it is possible that the membrane is intact. If your insurance will cover it I would seek out an oral surgeon associated with a teaching hospital for a second opinion. They should do the CT for a clear picture of what’s going on. I just had a dental implant with sinus lift that protrudes into the sinus but doesn’t cross the membrane. An oral surgeon I later visited for a wisdom tooth extraction said I was lucky the procedure worked without complications. He said he spends a lot of time fixing these types of implants when complications occur. Good luck!
No, no sinus lift. It is sticking right out into the sinus - I had a camera stuck up my nose (not pleasant he said it wouldn’t hurt but it did! Maybe because my sinuses are so sore already. Plus I thought I was going to gag when it hut my throat. A dental assistant once said i was a “gagger” when I had a mold made for a crown - I think she was right ) and he and the nurse were both like “what is that!!”.
None of the dental implant stuff was covered by insurance as we had no dental insurance. I guess this will hopefully come under medical insurance. I think I need to take a couple of days to decide what to do. The teaching hospital sounds likeva good idea. I’m a little reluctant to go back to the original surgeon because I told him repeatedly that I had swelling and discomfort in the area and he never listened.
you really should get the cat scan(if you have not already) and I would do two things one is go to the oral surgeon (100% for sure) and 2nd after you have the cat scan go to another ent. and finding an oral surgeon and ent at a teaching hospital maybe a very smart idea too as mentioned.if you have a collaborative type hospital that you can go to …even better like the mayo or cleveland clinic. group approach to determine correct way to proceed.
I’d go to a different ENT, also. You shouldn’t leave feeling like you didn’t get your questions answered. I have an ENT and they are really good about proactively working on sinus stuff rather than scratching their head. Same with that oral surgeon-what he did does NOT sound ok.
I’m surprised your ENT hasn’t done a cat scan on you already-for a lot of people with sinus issues it’s a diagnostic tool right from the get go. Again, maybe crowdsource with your friends for another one, or if you live in the North Atlanta area, PM me and I’ll give you the name of mine.
I haven’t done anything yet. Have a big tax deadline coming up and am behind. Will probably arrange something after 9/15.
I am leaning toward my first thing being a 2nd opinion with another ENT. Will probably go to the one that we wnt to a couple of times when our daughter had really bad ear infections. I liked him. Wish I’d gone to him in the first place instead of the guy in town. Then go from there.
The first ENT did say he could send me for a cat scan if I wanted. It was kind of weird, like it was my choice. I said no (thinking of my $2000 deductible!), then afterwards decided I should have said yes.
Update. Had a cleaning appt and took the pictures to show the dentist - not only did she know straight away what the hole in the sinus was, the hygienist did - CC told me first. Anyway, she said I need to go to an oral surgeon. She wanted me to go back to the same one. I’m reluctant, not so much because he caused the problem - I know things happen. More because I kept telling him I was in discomfort and he just did not even try to get to the bottom of it. Then it turned out he is not on our medical insurance plan so that made the decision for me. Actually, it was really hard to find an oral surgeon who is on our plan. I do have an appointment November 3rd. Really hoping he can fix this AND that it will be covered by medical insurance. Don’t have dental, and I have met my high deductible on the medical - this seems medical to me but I’m sure insurance will try and find a way out of paying. Kudos to the ENT who, even though he was not terribly helpful about what to do about the hole in my sinus, did suggest an endoscope because of the hoarseness. I was quite nervous as I had started having trouble swallowing which is a symptom of the type of cancer my husband had (esophageal). I have erosive esophagitis and a small hernia. Treatable - hopefully I can also get the sinus problem fixed before the clock resets on my deductible!
Good luck! Glad you followed up and have an appointment SOON (tho sooner would bw nice). Maybe you can call the new MD for any cancellations and ask to be put on the wait list in case an appointment opens up prior to your scheduled one. Some offices do offer thus service.
I am just finishing the dental implant process and waited a long time for my first surgery to go to a top notch oral surgeon. My dentist explained to me that so many are getting into the dental implant field and many are not the quality that they should be. My dentist explained to me that among other things, many are rushing the process to complete more cases. For example, I have a friend who was dating a dentist who went to a 6 week crash course in NYC to learn to do implants. The scared me! One thing I have learned is to always look for a surgeon who is board certified. It is amazing how many are not.
But back to your situation. I suspect that you needed a sinus lift in order to have an implant and that your surgeon never completed that. Good luck to you. I know the cost is unbelievable and insurance doesn’t cover it. I do believe you could have a law suit against him if this was the case. Its very obvious in x-rays prior to an implant if a lift is needed. Try to obtain a copy of your original x-rays so you can take them to a qualified surgeon if you need to.
Yes, that us what I was wondering. If the surgeon screwed up, why should you pay for it to be fixed? I wonder if you should get those original x-rays first from him, before letting on that there’s a problem. I wonder if they would claim not to have them if they were worried about litigation.
Prior to both of my implants I signed several pages of “release from liability” clauses that specifically stated the risk of sinus perforation. It would be difficult to obtain compensation, though his dismissal of your symptoms could justify a malpractice accusation. Regardless, you wouldn’t want to risk further damage at the hands of the same person. At least the repair will be covered by insurance. Hopefully they can save the implant and just cut off the peice that protrudes into the sinus.
I inclined to not do anything about the implant. It isn’t causing me any problems I’m hoping it can be just something to keep an eye on. The side with the hole in the sinus is where I have a lot of problems. I’m guessing because of drainage that maybe has nowhere to go. The ENT and his nurse both commented - “what is that!” Is just what you love to hear from your medical professionals - about a bead of liquid circling the hole then going into it (like circling a drain?). Anyway, the general area always feels swollen and uncomfortable and burns a little. Feels worse lately so I do hope they can figure it out.
I’m sure I probably signed something where I acknowledged all sorts of risk. Not concerned about pursuing any sort of suit. Just want to feel better and really hope medical insurance will cover it. I go through a bag of throat lozenges every day - Halls may go under if I get this fixed.
Have to admit, I’m a little frustrated with all 3 of the medical professionals that I have been trying to get to listen to me for years. I was 99.99999% sure the sinus issues were related to the implant procedure and definitely got the little pat on my head and oh no not possible response. As the ENT said, well now you have the pictures to prove it. Grr…
I get an “F” for reading comprehension. I missed that the problem is not in the sinus with the implant, but on the other side. At least your implant will not be jeopardized by the repair procedure.
