While dental professionals will always strive to save the natural tooth when possible, a tooth extraction is sometimes necessary. Treating extensive tooth decay (cavities) and damage may involve removing the tooth. If you have a tooth extraction on the horizon, it is good to know what to expect and what to watch out for as you recover.
The way in which an oral surgeon approaches a tooth extraction varies depending on the reason for pulling the tooth. Often, the surgeon will loosen the tooth to pull it from its socket gently. However, incisions may be necessary in areas with decay or infection. After extracting the problem tooth, the oral surgeon will clean and seal the area (such as with stitches), then place gauze over it to help the blood clot.
It is normal for the mouth to feel sore and swollen after a tooth extraction. Minor bleeding in the mouth is also common within the first 24 hours after the procedure. The oral surgeon can give the patient gauze before they leave. Along with that, the oral surgeon may recommend pain medication to help with any soreness or discomfort.
Although tooth extractions are common and safe, there are some potential complications patients should know about. For instance, if the extraction site continues to bleed after the first 24 hours, then the blood may be failing to clot. This could lead to dry socket, a painful condition that exposes the jawbone.
Other common complications include infection, nerve injury, and improper healing. The signs of each may overlap. Therefore, call an oral surgeon if any of the following symptoms arise:
Recovery time depends on several factors, but the type of extraction plays the biggest role. An extraction may be simple (performed on visible teeth) or surgical (performed on severely damaged teeth or teeth that have yet to erupt). Both will take a few weeks to heal completely, but patients should be able to return to normal activities within a few days.
Patients should consult an oral surgeon if the extraction site fails to heal or seems to be healing too slowly. Many have difficulty telling whether or not their slowed healing warrants concern. To help patients determine this, here is a closer look at extraction types and their average recovery times:
A simple extraction will take somewhere between one to three weeks to heal. If the tooth is small and has only one root, the recovery period will be on the shorter end. The larger the tooth and the more roots it has, the longer the recovery.
A surgical extraction involves cutting into the tissue and bone to remove parts of the tooth that are nestled out of sight. This makes for a longer recovery period. Most patients heal completely after about six weeks.
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Needing a tooth extraction may seem daunting. However, our team at Ecker Oral Surgery does everything we can to improve comfort and put each patient’s mind at ease. Call 305-404-5447 to schedule an appointment or talk to a member of our dental team.
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