The bones in the extraction site won't fully reform, but the gum tissue will completely cover the empty socket. If, due to any reason, you still see an empty socket in the gums after tooth removal, immediately see your dentist. Slow healing or frequent dry sockets can increase the chances of infection development.
You may notice a “hole” in your gums after surgery. This is the tooth socket, and it will fill in over the next 4-6 weeks. Food may become lodged in the sockets (especially the lower). If this happens, wound healing will be compromised, and you will be at risk for developing dry socket and even infection.
Although the bony anatomy in that area won't necessarily re-form or completely fill the socket in, you can expect the gum tissue (gingiva) over the opening to close it off entirely. If for any reason you continue to see a hole in your mouth after a tooth extraction, please see our dentist or an oral surgeon right away.
Within the first 24 hours after a tooth extraction procedure, a blood clot will begin to form and fill the hole left by the extracted tooth. This blood clot is valuable and responsible for the healing of the socket. The clot closes the hole and keeps bacteria and food particles from entering the empty socket.
In most dental patients, blood fills up the open socket in the bone left after a tooth extraction. The blood hardens or clots and protects the tooth socket while the gums grow over the top of the hole. In most cases the gums completely grow over and close the tooth extraction socket within one to two weeks.
Your dentist or oral surgeon may pack the socket with medicated gel or paste and medicated dressings. These can provide relatively fast pain relief. The severity of your pain and other symptoms will determine whether you need dressing changes and how often or if you need other treatment.
Your gums do not grow back after receding, however they can be restored to an extent. This process is called regeneration and usually occurs after the underlying bone has been exposed. However, not all cases of gum recession are reversible.
Dry socket, or alveolar osteitis, can last for up to 7 days. It is a common complication of wisdom tooth extraction. If food particles enter the socket, they can exacerbate the pain, increase the risk of infection, and slow down the healing.
Antibiotics given just before or just after surgery (or both) may reduce the risk of infection and dry socket after the removal of wisdom teeth by oral surgeons. However, antibiotics may cause more (generally brief and minor) unwanted effects for these patients.
Dry socket usually occurs within 3-5 days of an extraction and more commonly in the lower jaw. Symptoms include severe pain, a throbbing sensation, an unpleasant taste, a fever, or swollen glands. It can last for up to 7 days. By following your dentist's instructions carefully, dry socket can usually be prevented.
The healing timeline can be delayed by the health of the tooth that was removed. If the tooth was infected than there is a possibility for gum disease or infection in the gum that may delay healing.
In some cases, it may be too late for gum grafting to save the gums. If your gums are severely damaged, receding so far back that they expose the tooth's root, or if there is significant bone loss from advanced gum disease, gum grafting may not be able to restore them to their healthy state.
If you recently had a tooth extracted, you may notice a white formation in your tooth socket. This white material is usually granulation tissue, a fragile tissue composed of blood vessels, collagen, and white blood cells. Granulation tissue is a normal part of your body's healing process and is not cause for concern.
What causes osteonecrosis of the jaw? ONJ tends to occur after oral surgery like a tooth removal (extraction), dental implant or dental bone graft that may leave some of your jawbone exposed. In osteonecrosis of the jaw, your gum tissue doesn't heal after your dental procedure and your jawbone is left exposed.
Typically you'll receive instructions and a plastic syringe with a curved tip to squirt water, saltwater, or a prescription rinse into the socket. You'll likely need to continue the rinse until the socket no longer collects any debris.
Painful, dry socket rarely results in infection or serious complications. However, potential complications may include delayed healing of or infection in the socket or progression to chronic bone infection (osteomyelitis).
Your dentist may: Rinse and clean the socket with salt water. Place medicated gauze (soft dressing) in your socket to ease pain. Instruct you to take over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications.
A healthy socket will be a hole with a noticeable blot clot in the center. If your socket appears white in color, chances are you are seeing exposed bone and have lost the blood clot. In cases where bacteria or infection cause the clot to dissolve, you may see a socket that is black, green, or yellow in color.
If you see blood coming from the socket directly, then a new pressure gauze should be placed to seal off the area. The patient should be instructed to bite constantly for another hour. It is important for the patient to keep their mouth closed during this time.
By day 3, your gum swelling should subside and your open wound from extraction will begin to close. In 7 days, your gums should be very close to being completely healed with minimal sensitivity or pain. These are all signs that your gums are healing nicely and in the expected time frame.
Dry socket with stitches
Unfortunately dry socket is still possible with stitches.
Dry socket is a complication of having a tooth pulled (tooth extraction). The socket is the hole in the bone where the tooth used to be. After a tooth is removed, a blood clot forms in the socket. This protects the bone and nerves underneath as it heals.
Dry socket typically heals within 7-10 days. After this time, new tissue has been able to cover the visible bone and the wound has begun to heal. For patients with thin alveolar bone, such as those with periodontal disease, healing may take longer.