It may seem counter-intuitive, but sometimes tooth extractions are necessary to maintain oral health. Suppose your dental provider has recommended you have one or more teeth removed. In that case, you likely have several questions, including what the site will look like while it's healing. It's essential to understand the healing process and know what to expect after an extraction.
What the Site Will Look Like After a Tooth Extraction
After a tooth extraction, you can expect to see the following:
Blood Clot
A blood clot will form in the socket within 24 hours to stop bleeding. The clot will look like a dark-colored scab and reach the gumline. You can use a mirror and flashlight to check that the clot is getting smaller each day.
Granulation Tissue
The body will start building granulation tissue to cover the wound. This tissue is often creamy white in color and contains collagen, white blood cells, and blood vessels.
Tissue Around the Socket
The tissue around the socket may appear whitish due to trauma.
New Gum Tissue
After about two to three days, the site will appear smaller, and you should notice new gum tissue starting to form around the edges.
White Gums
Your gums may turn white around the extraction area as part of the healing process and should fade after a few days.
A Small Hole
It's normal to have a hole in your gums where the extracted tooth was. A smaller hole from a simple extraction of a small tooth with a single root usually takes about seven days to close and heal. However, a larger hole from a simple extraction of a large tooth having several roots will close after three weeks. Still, complete healing and elimination of the hole may take several months.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Extractions
How Long Does a Tooth Extraction Take?
The tooth extraction procedure is typically quicker than most patients think. The entire tooth pulling process —from administering the anesthetic to applying stitches (if necessary)—usually takes between 20 and 40 minutes. However, the procedure will take longer if you require more than one tooth pulled.
Will I Experience Swelling After a Tooth Extraction?
Swelling is quite common after a tooth extraction. As such, your mouth and cheeks may swell up for a couple of days after the procedure, especially near where the tooth was extracted. To decrease the swelling, you can apply a bag of ice for the first two days—20 minutes on, 20 minutes off—and then alternate warm and cold applications after the first 48 hours. Taking pain medication as directed can also help reduce swelling as well as discomfort.
Tooth Extractions at Fabey Dental
At Fabey Dental, tooth extractions are a last resort. Even still, sometimes they are the best way to good oral health and can pave the way for further necessary treatments, such as dental implants. When you choose us for your tooth extraction, we will be with you every step of the way. We will explain the procedure and let you know what to expect during the recovery and healing process. We are here for your questions, concerns, and any emergencies that might arise.
Call Fabey Dental at 610-810-2704 to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online.