Introduction:
Recently, a 28-year-old patient named Seema came to our clinic with a complaint of pain in the right side of her lower jaw teeth. This case study explores the diagnosis, treatment, and successful resolution of her dental issue.
Patient History and Examination:
Upon taking Seema’s history, she revealed that she had previously undergone an extraction of her third molar on the right side of the lower jaw. During the clinical examination, I discovered caries in the first molar on the same side. Interestingly, despite the caries, the tooth did not exhibit pain upon tactile sensation testing with a mirror handle.
Identification of Root Cause:
To pinpoint the source of the pain, I asked Seema to indicate the exact area of discomfort. She pointed to the gums where the third molar had been extracted, raising suspicions of a residual problem in that area.
Diagnostic Imaging and Treatment Plan:
To confirm my suspicions, I advised a periapical radiograph, which revealed a piece of root remaining just below the gums, hindering complete healing. With this clear diagnosis, I proceeded to apply local infiltration anesthesia in the third molar area and carefully extracted the root fragment using an elevator. After washing the area with normal saline, a final radiograph confirmed the successful extraction.
Post-Procedure Care and Follow-Up:
Following the extraction, I placed cotton in the area for 30 minutes and provided Seema with post-operative instructions. A follow-up call later confirmed that she had no pain and was feeling well, indicating a successful resolution of her dental issue.
Conclusion:
This case highlights the importance of thorough diagnosis, including diagnostic imaging, in identifying the root cause of dental pain. By addressing the underlying issue with targeted treatment, we were able to alleviate Seema’s discomfort and achieve a positive outcome.
