How Long Does It Take The Hole To Close After A Tooth Extraction?

Man at the office smiling while looking out the window
You will be able to return to normal activities within a day after having an extraction.

Adult teeth should last you through your entire adult life. Unfortunately, for some, there are instances when a tooth needs to be extracted. 

Although the extraction of a tooth is generally the last thing we want to do, sometimes, it’s unavoidable. When a tooth is extracted, there is a space in place of what was once your tooth, and in that space, a small hole.

The amount of time required for this hole to heal depends on a few factors. We are going to look at how long it takes for some of these holes to close.

What Types of Extraction Are There?

At Dental Partners of Boston, we perform two types of extractions:

  • Simple Extraction – This is one of the most common extraction procedures. This extraction is generally performed on the canines, incisors, premolars, and first and second molars.
  • Surgical Extraction – The surgical extraction is generally done for teeth that are securely trapped in the jawbone, like wisdom teeth

How Long Does The Healing Process Take?

When it comes to the amount of time required for a hole to heal completely depends on a number of factors. These can include the type of extraction, size of the tooth, and difficulty of extraction.

A Small Tooth

If the extracted tooth is a small tooth or a tooth with only a single root, the hole will close relatively quickly. A single root tooth should begin to heal by the end of the first week. You may find, by the second week, you should be able to eat more comfortably without fear of food entering the crevice.

A Larger Tooth

If the removal required the extraction of a larger tooth or a tooth with more than a single root, the healing time will be slightly longer. A larger, multiple-rooted tooth extraction hole will heal around the third week. One thing that should be noted is that the hole may still feel prominent for a few months after the procedure.

Wisdom Tooth

The wisdom tooth is an impacted tooth, so the healing time of this hole will always be slightly longer. The difference with the healing of a wisdom tooth is that it’s not just the healing of gum tissue. The wisdom tooth extraction also means your jawbone has to heal as well. The healing time after the removal of an impacted tooth is generally around six weeks.  

What To Pay Attention To

There are certain factors that can delay the healing process of any extraction hole. These include:

  • Smoking
  • Certain Medications
  • Blood Thinners

All of these can cause an increase in healing times.

Schedule An Appointment Today

If you have any questions or concerns about healing times, or if you need us to look at a tooth that may need an extraction, contact Dental Partners of Boston. You can also schedule an appointment online. We are on hand to help with any of your dental needs. We look forward to helping you improve your smile!  

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