Oro-Antral Communication and diving

[Milkman670]

Hey Dr. Deco, I have been suffering from a oro-antral communication for 6 weeks after a 2nd molar pulled. Went back in after a month for surgery to try to seal it with cutting gum and overlapping and stitches. Still no better and heading back for possible more invasive surgery next week but am starting to panic as am booked to PDC/Cozumel in 45 days. Any suggestions? My worries are obvious, equilizing and just the mouthpiece. I have a tube of crazy glue and am tempted. Thanks

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Milkman, not sure if you're checking this but I hope the surgery went well. If you dive you're risking possible trauma to the area via the regulator mouthpiece (if it reaches that far back) and/or sinus block. If there was surgery there, there is likely still inflammation and it would be unwise to dive. I would go with the advice of your oral surgeon.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[Milkman670]

Milkman, not sure if you're checking this but I hope the surgery went well. If you dive you're risking possible trauma to the area via the regulator mouthpiece (if it reaches that far back) and/or sinus block. If there was surgery there, there is likely still inflammation and it would be unwise to dive. I would go with the advice of your oral surgeon.

Best regards,
DDM

Thanks, DDM, I got real lucky, went in for consultation with a maxial-facial or something like that surgeon. They had a cancellation first the next day so got in and they went crazy in there. Just went back yesterday for a check and got the OK to dive in 2 weeks. Feels great, just needed someone that had the knowledge and skills to fix it.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Nice, great to hear!

Best regards,
DDM

 

[Milkman670]

Everything went great, got my OW Cert, 4 dives under the belt with 10 more booked. I think my surgeon has a bottle of tequila coming his way