My husband's jaw was broken about 6 years ago and he had a long metal plate put in. He is still a little numb but says he doesn't have pain. Off and on over the last year he's had puss coming out of where the plate is. One doctor said it's an infection is causing this and he needs it removed. Another doctor said if it was an infection, he would be feeling pain. He is obviously very apprehensive about having another surgery but is worried that the bone will get infected if he doesn't.
December 10, 2017
Answer: Do jaw plates need to be removed? Thanks for your question. Yes, the plates need to be removed. The underlying bone is certainly healed by now, so it's safe to remove the plates. Most people keep plates in for the rest of their lives and do fine, but sometimes, particularly with mandible fractures, the plates become infected and this happens. Typically they respond initially to antibiotics, but then the drainage returns as soon as the antibiotics are stopped. The bacteria live on the plate kind of like coral living in a reef- they secrete a material to protect themselves. The antibiotics can't penetrate the film so the only way to remove the bacteria is to remove the plate. This is a fairly straight forward operation. Nothing like what he went through initially. Good luck.
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December 10, 2017
Answer: Do jaw plates need to be removed? Thanks for your question. Yes, the plates need to be removed. The underlying bone is certainly healed by now, so it's safe to remove the plates. Most people keep plates in for the rest of their lives and do fine, but sometimes, particularly with mandible fractures, the plates become infected and this happens. Typically they respond initially to antibiotics, but then the drainage returns as soon as the antibiotics are stopped. The bacteria live on the plate kind of like coral living in a reef- they secrete a material to protect themselves. The antibiotics can't penetrate the film so the only way to remove the bacteria is to remove the plate. This is a fairly straight forward operation. Nothing like what he went through initially. Good luck.
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July 30, 2015
Answer: Infection infection of jaw plates and screws are serious.You need to see a specialist and make a decision if and before the bone gets infected, Then it is more than just taking out the plates and screws.Plus puss coming out of the mouth is not the healthiest for him or the relationship
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July 30, 2015
Answer: Infection infection of jaw plates and screws are serious.You need to see a specialist and make a decision if and before the bone gets infected, Then it is more than just taking out the plates and screws.Plus puss coming out of the mouth is not the healthiest for him or the relationship
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