No teeth but gums hurt like hell.

[PleaseHelp]

I’m at my wits end and I don’t know where else to go to help my mother. She is in her late 70’s. Had all of her teeth removed and bridges implanted, root canals were done before bridges but were incomplete because dentist who did all the procedures was not a root canal specialist. All of this was done overseas while on vacation during the pandemic. After returning, she complained of her gums being in extreme pain. Took her to the dentist and we decided that all the work that was done had to be removed; now toothless and getting ready for dentures. Even after the removal of her implants she complained that her gums were still in a lot of pain; there’s a protrusion on the bottom of her gums, any pressure causes her pain. I complained to her dentist but he said it was probably swelling and the pain will subside. A year later she’s still in pain, so I took her to another dentist and I was told there’s nothing that can be done. If anyone knows which specialist she needs to see to ease her pain please let me know. I don’t know who else or where else to turn to. Thanks.

 

[Dr M]

Good day

A photo will definitely help in this case as well as any post extraction xrays. Does your mom suffer from any other systemic conditions? Diabetes etc? The bony protrusion could be a bony specule, although this should have resorbed by now, or it could be a retained root left in situ?
You could also seek a second opinion from a periodontist or oral medicine specialist.

 

[MattKW]

Yes, unlikely to be within the realm of a general dentist. I'd go to a Oral-Maxillo-Facial specialist or similar to check for obvious dental issues (e.g. excessive bone loss overlying mental nerve) , and who may then refer her to a neurologist or pain clinic as he sees fit. Sometimes the pain cannot be removed entirely but needs management (e.g. drugs, psychology). I'd be interested to hear what happens in the long run.