I have had a dental implant for a couple of years.  It started bothering me a few months ago. I went to see my dentist and he said it was fine.  Today, I bit on something and got a disgusting taste in my mouth.  I peeked into my mouth and their was puss surrounding my implant.  I tried calling my implant dentist, but he’s not there. I realize it is the weekend.  What should I do? Wait until  he comes back or go to an emergency dentist?

Elizabeth H. – Portland

Elizabeth,

I realize it is the weekend, but I want  you to call your implant dentist anyway.  He likely has a number in case of emergencies like this. They’ll be some kind of protocol in place for emergency cases like yours.

It sounds like you have a pretty severe infection that has been there for a while.  If you want a chance of saving your implant and your health. Don’t put this off.

For that reason, if you can’t reach your implant dentist, then you’ll need to go ahead and call an emergency dentist. This needs to be taken care of.

The emergency dentist will be able to get you out of pain and give you an antibiotic to begin to help you deal with the infection. If possible, he may put a splint on the implant to stabilize it.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.