Some of the most significant dental infections are the ones patients never notice. In the video above, Dr. Jigar Gandhi sits down with a patient at his two-month follow-up after surgery to remove infection from two areas of his jaw: the upper left side, near the sinus, and the lower left side, at the site of a previous tooth extraction. The patient describes what he saw come out during surgery, how quickly he got back to his routine, and the changes he has noticed in his sleep and overall recovery since.

This article walks through his story, explains how hidden jaw infections develop, and covers what patients can expect from diagnosis, surgery, and healing at Tooth & Body.

The Upper Left Side and the Sinus

Dr. Gandhi explains that this patient had an infection on the upper left side that had reached his sinus. The roots of the upper back teeth sit very close to the floor of the maxillary sinus, and in some people the bone between them is thin. When infection develops in that area, it can extend upward and affect the sinus. Because the symptoms can resemble ordinary sinus congestion, the dental source is easy to overlook.

On the lower left side, the patient had a tooth removed in the past. Dr. Gandhi describes finding a large infection at that extraction site. Areas like this, where bone did not heal fully after a tooth was taken out, are what biological dentists often call cavitations. They can remain quiet for years without obvious pain.

Behind the extraction site were two more teeth. The patient asked why Dr. Gandhi recommended removing an additional tooth in the back. Dr. Gandhi explained that the tooth was not being used for chewing and that there was infection behind it as well. Removing it allowed the infected area to be fully addressed rather than leaving part of the problem in place.

Dr. Gandhi describes it as a big surgery. The patient recalls that the tissue removed was dark and discolored, and that friends he showed the photos to could hardly believe it. For many patients, seeing what was removed helps them understand how an infection could be present without causing obvious pain.

A hidden jaw infection is a chronic infection in the jawbone or around a tooth that causes few or no noticeable symptoms. Common sources include old extraction sites that did not heal completely, infected areas around teeth, and infection that extends from the upper back teeth toward the sinus. To learn more about how these areas form and how they are found, see our article on cavitation surgery patient stories.

Chronic infections in bone can develop slowly. The body may wall off the area, so there is no sharp pain or visible swelling. Standard two-dimensional dental X-rays can also miss changes in bone, especially where structures overlap.

Dr. Gandhi uses 3D cone beam CT imaging to evaluate the jawbone, the roots of the teeth, and the relationship between the upper teeth and the sinus. Combined with a detailed review of each patient's dental and health history, this gives a clearer picture of areas that may need attention.

Back to Life Quickly

Dr. Gandhi notes that this patient was traveling only about three days after surgery, which was earlier than he would usually like. Even so, healing went well. Every patient's recovery is different, and patients should always follow their own post-surgical instructions and plan travel with the care team.

At the two-month visit, Dr. Gandhi reported that the gum tissue had closed nicely, the bone grafts were doing well, and the patient was healing well physically. He also observed that the patient looked better than at their first visit.

The patient shared that he is sleeping much better, that his recovery has gone better than expected, and that he simply feels better overall. He is also back to playing soccer, which, as he jokes, his wife is not entirely thrilled about.

These are one patient's personal experiences. Research into the connection between oral infections and overall health is ongoing, and results vary from person to person. You can read more about this area of research in our article on dental infections and the oral-systemic connection.

At Tooth & Body, surgery is planned with healing in mind. Depending on each case, Dr. Gandhi may use bone grafting to rebuild areas where bone was lost, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) made from the patient's own blood, ozone therapy, red light laser, and the Bone Healing Protocol. The goal is to remove the source of infection and give the body the best possible conditions to heal.

If you have had teeth removed in the past, ongoing sinus issues, or a sense that something in your mouth is not right, a thorough evaluation can help you understand what is happening. Visit Tooth & Body at 875 N Broadway, North Massapequa, NY 11758, or book a nationwide virtual consultation with Dr. Jigar Gandhi.

This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for an individual dental or medical exam.