How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Tooth Extraction?

If you are in need of a tooth extraction, you may be wondering how long it will take to heal from this procedure. Let's discuss the various reasons for having a tooth extracted, the extraction process itself, and the healing process.

Reasons you may need a tooth removed

There are a variety of reasons why someone would need a tooth extraction. A tooth may have a large cavity that has caused the tooth to be beyond repair. A tooth may be so severely broken that it cannot be fixed. Severe gum disease may have weakened the bone that supports the tooth. A tooth may need to come out, but for some reason, it won't fall out on its own. A baby tooth may be blocking an adult tooth from coming in.

Your dentist may need to create more space in your mouth to administer an orthodontic treatment or put in a denture or dental implant. You may have an impacted tooth that has only partially erupted (not completely on the surface). You may still have your wisdom teeth and had one or more of them become infected. You may even need a tooth extraction simply because the tooth is causing you severe pain.

Recovery time for tooth removal

The recovery time for a tooth extraction varies from patient to patient based on the size and location of the tooth, your overall dental health, and how well you follow the aftercare instructions your dentist provides.

The recovery time for a simple extraction is usually very short. A simple extraction is a tooth extraction involving a tooth that has fully surfaced in the mouth, and no surgical procedure is needed. It is recommended that you take at least two or three days to rest after a simple extraction. Doing this will allow a blood clot to form at the extraction site, which promotes healing and helps prevent infection. After those first 48-72 hours, patients can usually resume normal activity. It will usually take the soft tissue three to four weeks to heal completely.

Surgical tooth removal

Surgical tooth extraction is a more complicated procedure than a simple extraction, and as such, it comes with a somewhat more complex healing process. A surgical extraction is necessary when a tooth is still inside the gums and requires removing part of the jawbone. As with a simple extraction, it is recommended that you take two or three days to rest and allow a clot to form, but you need to wait about a week before doing any strenuous activities.

How much time a patient needs to take off of work will depend on the physical strenuousness of their job. You should discuss this with your oral surgeon before the day of the procedure so you can make arrangements for how much time off you need.

Generally, tooth extraction may not be as bad as it sounds, thanks to modern dentistry and the available anesthesia.

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