Question for Sherbear ...

RE antibiotic use following dental implant: you have posted about taking either Zithromax or Clindamycin. Did you start either of these the day of implant, or afterward? How many days did you continue to take it? Luckily my bone graft healed properly-- so OS will do the rod implant soon. So far he's been fuzzy about the antibiotic issue, though; he's apparently big on Amoxycillin, but I'm allergic to that whole family! / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)

Thanks very much, Sherbear. The OS posted on his Website that dental implant patients have to use Peridex rinse before bedtime after the surgery is done + 2 times the following day, but his antibiotic instructions are totally vague. I phoned his office today to ask if they could give my Rx to the pharmacy in advance so that I would already have it at home on surgery day. Would you believe his assistant asked: "Why are you so concerned about it?" I then told her that it has happened on past occasions that the local pharmacy had run out of some med I needed urgently, and I'd rather not leave the Peridex script (especially) to surgery day for that reason! "Oh," she said-- and then laughed. I mean, really, why do they always have to give us an argument? (Duh!!!!!) Thanks again; I'll let you know how the rod insert goes. The OS did say that he'll have to use the shortest available rod to avoid hitting my sinus-- so then I'll have to wait 4-6 mo. to insure a very firm bond with the bone before he places the abutment. (It seems these procedures go fastest for patients with dense bones, probably males.) / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)

The affected tooth site is #13 premolar, a big space for me as it turned out. Seems I'm not getting a rinse, either; the OS's assistant called the pharmacy, which gave me Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen (appalling!), & Clindamycin 300mg (4 caps daily for 7 days!). Grrrrrrrr! I already tossed the Ibuprofen & will ask the OS tomorrow for Z-pack. It really galls me that they just seem to think about covering their behinds, instead of attending to the fact that we need the antibiotic least likely to waste our gut!!!!!!!! I told him that last week, but he didn't write it down. It says right on the Clindamycin flyer that the stuff can cause C-difficile!!!!!!!! Give us a break ... / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission takiing brandname Colazal)

They seem not to understand that we can get very messed up by antibiotics, or else they just don't want to admit it. So frustrating! Anyway, here I am back with rod in place-- after 2 more CTscans, Septocaine, & 3-4 stitches, plus the OS's assistant called my pharmacy & Rxed a Z-pack FINALLY. I did a whole lot better with Septocaine injections (no epinephrine) compared to Lidocaine for the extraction/abscess/bone graft last fall. It wore off within 2 hrs, but I didn't need to take the Hydrocodone; I just iced for a while & was able to eat supper on the opposite side. This OS knows a good technique, TG. He works fast, too. At one point after he inserted the rod, he commented to his assistant: "Well, I can turn it a couple more times." So he did! At the end they did the 3rd scan, which showed the rod safely in place under the left sinus-- so that was pretty interesting to view. Still, the dental implant process is an expensive nuisance. BTW, the pharmacy did give me a Peridex Rx, too, but the OS just wants me to dab it on the implant wound with a Q-tip AM + PM, then rinse out with water-- in addition to salt water rinsing 4-5 times daily. He says that Peridex stains teeth if used as a full rinse! / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)

Many thanks again for your advice! Also, thanks again to Quincy, pb4, Callalily and several other Forum veterans who alerted me to probiotics & Zithromax. I got thru this so far w/o complications because you all took the time to share info/experiences. As you wrote above, Sherbear-- sometimes the medical personnel just doesn't understand. / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)

All but one of my bone graft ones came out too. Stitches just refuse to stay in for me but even though they have come out I have never had a problem with healing.

Glad it all went well. I had to leave my last stitch in for two weeks. That last week it drove me nuts flapping around. I cut it out a day early. LOL I'm getting some kind of cap put onto my rod when the rod is put in. Then next year I will have the crowns done.

Unfortunately that is not the plan. I at least can get the break of it being a new year when they bill for the crowns. I hope his kids go to a great college with all the money he makes off of me. LOL