When does the hole close after wisdom tooth extraction

It takes about 6 weeks for the jaw bone and gum tissue to repair itself following wisdom teeth extractions. This time may vary depending on if the wisdom teeth were impacted in bone or in gum tissue. Deeply bony impacted wisdom teeth require more bone removal and therefore may require more healing time. If the gum tissue is sutured to close the tooth extraction site, a blood clot forms quickly and the healing process begins. The soft tissue usually heals itself to the point where its not annoying anymore in about 3 weeks. Pain usually subsides in a couple of days, but may linger when more extensive surgery took place. Bone grafting at time of extractions may minimize the post operative complications and speed healing time.

Tips to decrease healing time following a tooth extraction:

• Eat nutritious meals even though you may not feel like it – fruit and vegetable juices are a nutritious alternatives to solid foods.
• Avoid small seeds or small, hard food (granola, celery seeds, poppy seeds, etc.)
• Do not drink with a straw or rinse vigorously this may dislodge the blood clot
• Do not use an electric tooth brush
• Do Not Smoke or Chew Tobacco as it may increases risk of a dry socket which is very painful – call your dentist if you are experiencing worsening pain a couple of days after the extraction so that a dry socket can be treated properly.
• Avoid chewing near the dental extraction site
• Use antibacterial mouth wash twice a day for one to two weeks – Chlorhexidine Gluconate , also known as Peridex, can be prescribed by your doctor. DO NOT use Listerine, Scope or other over-the-counter mouth rinses.
• Warm salt water gentle rinses four times per day starting 24 hours following surgery
• If food does get into extraction site, flush gently with warm salt water – the blood clot tends to feel like something is stuck so don’t try clean it out.
• If you have an increase in pain, swelling, or any concerns regarding the healing process contact the oral surgeon or dentist immediately

TMJ Pain Following Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Damage to the TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) during wisdom teeth extractions is usually temporary. If you have or have had TMJ problems in the past, you are more susceptible to TMJ symptoms following the teeth extractions. Make sure you let your dentist know so they can advise you better how to prevent these symptoms. A commonly used technique is pre-operative anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil (also known as Ibuprofen). Anti-inflammatory medication is also recommended for approximately 3 days following wisdom teeth extractions. Muscle relaxers such as Flexeril (a Cyclobenzabine) may also be used to aid patients with a history of TMJ disorder.

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Dr. Michael and his staff focus on providing painless dental services in a welcoming atmosphere. His dental expertise includes general dentistry, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, oral & I.V. sedation, full mouth reconstruction, teeth bleaching, veneers, laser dentistry, metal-free crowns, inlays/onlays, and dentures to enhance both your health and appearance.

Depending on how your wisdom teeth grow in, they may require removal. Regular teeth cleanings can help monitor your wisdom tooth growth so any removal will be done at the best time for your dental health. If a wisdom tooth removal in Columbia, MD is required, our expert team can help guide you through the procedure with a skilled extraction and all the information you need about costs, recovery time and tips.

Depending on how your wisdom teeth are positioned in your mouth, you may never need to get your wisdom teeth removed. However, if your wisdom teeth are impacted, aren’t fully erupting or are causing crowding in your teeth, your dentist may recommend getting your wisdom teeth removed. Failure to treat a wisdom tooth that needs to be removed could lead to bacterial infections.

Wisdom teeth surgery is a very safe and relatively painless procedure. Depending on the degree your wisdom teeth are impacted, either a local anesthetic or general anesthetic will be administered. Wisdom tooth extraction takes no longer than an hour and a half.

In the first 24 hours after your wisdom teeth removal, a blood clot will be forming in your tooth socket. During this time it’s important to avoid any rinsing, brushing, spitting, smoking or drinking through a straw as it could cost you to open the clot or lead to a dry socket.  Strenuous physical activity could also cause bleeding in the first day or two. After 24 hours you may brush your teeth but avoid the extraction site for another few days. As part of your aftercare, lightly rinse your mouth with warm salt water every few hours to reduce swelling, relieve pain and shorten healing time.

After getting wisdom teeth out, swelling and jaw stiffness may continue for 1-2 weeks. Ice can be used as aftercare in the first 24 hours to help reduce swelling and control pain.

The area around a wisdom tooth extraction typically closes within six weeks. In the next several months, those sockets will fill with bone. During the six weeks, it will take the site to close, it is important to keep the area clean and make sure food isn’t trapped in the socket area.

Bleeding at the extraction site is common after getting wisdom teeth removed during the first 1-2 days. To control bleeding and avoid infection, keep gauze pads over the extraction site for 1 hour after surgery. During the 1-2 days of initial healing time, check gauze every hour and replace when saturated until the bleeding stops.

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