How Long Does Surgical Extraction Take to Heal?
Tooth extraction is a common dental procedure to remove a tooth that is decayed, damaged, or causing oral health issues. While the process might seem intimidating, understanding the healing process will alleviate those concerns.
What Is Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extractions are a frequent and common procedure performed by dentists. They are the removal of a single tooth, or even several teeth because of severe tooth decay, advanced gum disease, or an injury. Extractions can be either simple or surgical.
A simple extraction is performed on a tooth visible above the gumline and done with local anesthesia. A surgical extraction is more complex because it could involve removing a broken tooth, a fractured tooth, or a wisdom tooth that has not erupted through the gum tissue.
Why Are Tooth Extractions Needed?
The most common reason for a tooth extraction is from severe damage or decay that can no longer be corrected. There are other reasons as well, including:
- Tooth Decay- This is the most common reason. When any decay reaches the center of the tooth, which is the living pulp, the bacteria will cause an infection. If the infection is too severe to be treated with a root canal, the tooth will need to be extracted.
- Gum Disease- Gum disease, or periodontal disease, damages the supporting tissue and bone structure of a tooth, leading to extraction.
- Overcrowded Teeth- Dentists could remove teeth to prepare the mouth for orthodontics. The overall goal is to properly align your teeth, which may not be possible if your teeth are too big.
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth- Impacted teeth, most often wisdom teeth, are those that have failed to emerge, resulting in pain, inflammation, and infection, and must be removed.
- Tooth Breakage or Trauma- Accidents, sports injuries, or falls can cause tooth damage. If the tooth cannot be repaired, it will need to be extracted.
- Other Reasons- You could have a medical condition or are preparing for other medical treatments that might require an extraction. If you are undergoing chemotherapy or an organ transplantation you might need to have compromised teeth removed.
What Is the Normal Tooth Extraction Healing Time?
The recovery time will vary depending on several factors, like the complexity and your overall health. For a simple extraction, the recovery time might last about a week. The healing time may extend to 3-4 weeks for surgical extractions.
What to Expect During Recovery
During your recovery, it is essential to take proper care of the extraction site to ensure optimal healing. Here is a basic timeline of recovery:
- Day 1- After the procedure, a gauze pad will be placed on the extraction site to stop bleeding and to help form a blood clot. Some minimal pain and swelling are normal. Appling a cold compress will help reduce these symptoms. It is best to stick to soft foods on the first day.
- Days 2-3- Swelling begins to subside around the second or third day. Begin gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water after meals. Keep eating soft foods.
- Days 4-7- As healing progresses, you can now gradually return to a normal diet. By the end of the first week any stitches can be removed.
- Weeks 2-4- The bone begins to heal and fill in the area where the tooth was.
- Week 4- Complete healing of the area usually takes 3-4 weeks if it was a surgical extraction.