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What Causes Sinus Congestion And Headache After Tooth Extraction?
I had sinus congestion, pain in early April. 10 days prior I had a temporary cap put on an upper right molar . I went to ENT . Did a scope in office, placed on 6 day medpred. After 1 week , congestion and headaches , especially when awakened, back to ENT , now steroid injections in to turbinate sinus . These shots 1 per week x 3 then every 3 months . After 2 nd shot mentioned to ENT , my cap tooth. Told me to go back to dentist . Went to dentist started root canal on tooth. After 2 nd visit to dentist , asked to just pull tooth. Congestion and headaches remain .cat scan of sinuses done, nothing remarkable Followed up with ENT . Sent me to allergist . Had allergy skin tests , not reactive to anything. Allergist suggested using Mucinex D . Used for 1 week with some relief. Started on Flonase 2pumps per nostril once a day. First day seemed to help. Second day seemed to make congestion worse. Back to ENT another 6 days of med pred. No change . Begged to try antibiotics , augmentin given, on day 6 out of 10 , still with congestion, maybe a slight bit better. Headaches every night . I do not sleep more then a few hours each night. It s going on over 2 months. Through all tried net pot too. Nose seems very try at all times . Some dental pain too. Could this all be from my tooth extraction. Sometimes wonder if there is a connection between sinus and upper jawbone . Desperate .
Thu, 15 Oct 2015
Hello dear,
After going through your history, I believe you have some genuine concern and I will try to help you out of this situation.
Our nose is surrounded by sinuses. Sinuses are empty cave like spaces in the facial bones with their mouth opening into the nose. These opening are very small and lined by epithelium same as that of nose. In a normal situation when we breathe, air enters the sinuses and ventilate them. Also there is constant production of fluids inside the sinuses, which drain out through the small opening to the nose.
When nose is affected with some infection, even common cold, the epithelium swells and so the epithelium around the mouth of the sinuses. Now the sinuses can not be ventilated nor can be drained. This leads to deposition of fluid inside the sinuses and SINUSITIS. Any anatomical defect like DNS (Deviated nasal septum). Hypertrophied turbinates and other abnormalities only add to the risk of development of sinusitis.
Addressing your concern with the relation of upper jaw bone ( Maxilla) with sinus, I would say you are right. The Pre-molar and the molar teeth ( Last 5 teeth used for chewing) in upper jaw have got longer roots and the parting bony wall between the sinus and tooth root may be very thin or even it may be absent. So even tooth infection can travel to the sinus. It is not uncommon that after any dental procedure over these teeth recurrent sinusitis develop due to a new connection between the root of tooth and sinus.
In your situation, I believe there is similar communication between your sinus and tooth root which is leading to your suffering.
In my clinic in cases like you I advise them to go for a CT scan PNS ( Para nasal sinuses) to see any hidden pathology inside the nose and sinuses and also any communication as I have specified and manage according to the report.
I hope I could solve your query. Please do not hesitate to clarify more doubts for the same situation.
Thank you for the way you are in my life.
Dr Ipsit Panda
After going through your history, I believe you have some genuine concern and I will try to help you out of this situation.
Our nose is surrounded by sinuses. Sinuses are empty cave like spaces in the facial bones with their mouth opening into the nose. These opening are very small and lined by epithelium same as that of nose. In a normal situation when we breathe, air enters the sinuses and ventilate them. Also there is constant production of fluids inside the sinuses, which drain out through the small opening to the nose.
When nose is affected with some infection, even common cold, the epithelium swells and so the epithelium around the mouth of the sinuses. Now the sinuses can not be ventilated nor can be drained. This leads to deposition of fluid inside the sinuses and SINUSITIS. Any anatomical defect like DNS (Deviated nasal septum). Hypertrophied turbinates and other abnormalities only add to the risk of development of sinusitis.
Addressing your concern with the relation of upper jaw bone ( Maxilla) with sinus, I would say you are right. The Pre-molar and the molar teeth ( Last 5 teeth used for chewing) in upper jaw have got longer roots and the parting bony wall between the sinus and tooth root may be very thin or even it may be absent. So even tooth infection can travel to the sinus. It is not uncommon that after any dental procedure over these teeth recurrent sinusitis develop due to a new connection between the root of tooth and sinus.
In your situation, I believe there is similar communication between your sinus and tooth root which is leading to your suffering.
In my clinic in cases like you I advise them to go for a CT scan PNS ( Para nasal sinuses) to see any hidden pathology inside the nose and sinuses and also any communication as I have specified and manage according to the report.
I hope I could solve your query. Please do not hesitate to clarify more doubts for the same situation.
Thank you for the way you are in my life.
Dr Ipsit Panda
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