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Dentistry/Gum healing after a wisdom tooth extraction

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Expert: Zev Kaufman, D.D.S. - 5/29/2008


Question
I just had all four of my wisdom teeth extracted a week ago. I have been looking at my lower right and left wounds and it looks as if where the gum is healing that pieces of the remaining jawbone or socket protrusions are sticking out of the gum, as if a new tooth was coming in. I am wondering if this is normal for the gum to do and if so normal how long would it generally take for the gum tissue to cover the extraction site excluding time for bone tissue to form?

Answer
Dear Tommy:
Normal soft tissue healing takes two weeks on average.  Bone takes longer: 2-3 months for initial reformation and up to 6 months for final re-organization and maturation.  When an extraction socket heals it heals from the edges.  Soft tissue containing blood vessels, and tissue cells, has to creep in and cover blood clot that is formed within the socket.  After that the epithelium (gum skin covering) creeps over and final healing takes place.  Usually a post-op appointment after surgery is given in two weeks.  At that time, we expect to see soft tissue that is closing the wound, not swollen, and not bleeding. Depending on the width of the wound, the area might be fully closed or not.  Your situation is not unique.  As long as you do not experience pain (some discomfort is normal) and there is not a fetid odor (dry socket-which forms when bone fails to heal due to compromised blood supply-smell very badly) you are healing fine.  Make sure not to smoke and follow up with your oral surgeon to make sure everything is ok two weeks after the original extraction date.
Best wishes for good healing,
Sincerely,
Dr. Zev Kaufman

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Zev Kaufman, D.D.S.

Expertise

I can answer any question from simple routine dentistry to very complex dentistry with emphasis on reconstructive, cosmetic, and implant dentistry. My expertise is in co-ordination of very complex treatment plans with other dental specialists or as a one-man-team, since I have extensive training in Prosthodontics, Surgical Implantology, and orthodontics.

Experience

Over a decade in private practice of Surgical Implantology and Prosthodontics. Founder and owner of Prosthodontics & Implant Surgery of Manhattan, PC. Clinical Assistant Professor at the Post-Graduate Department of Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry. Lecture weekly since 1999 on advanced Implant Prosthodontics at New York University College of Dentistry Post-Graduate Program in Periodontics & Implant Dentistry. Former clinical assistant professor of Dental Radiology at the NYU College of Dentistry. Former clinical and lecture faculty at Lincoln Hospital, Dental residency program. Former clinical and lecture faculty at St. Barnabas Hospital (Bronx, NY) dental residency program. Lecture nationally on Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry.

Organizations
Memeber of the American College of Prosthodontics. Memeber of the Acacdemy of Osseointegration. Member or the Omikron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Honors Dental Society. Member of the American Dental Education Association.

Education/Credentials
Graduated with Honors from New York University College of Dentistry. Post-Graduate training and certificate in the specialty of Prosthodontics. Post-Graduate training and ceritificate in Surgical and Prosthetic Implant Dentistry. Honors-program in Comprehensive and Applied Practice Management. Honors-program in Orthodontics.

Awards and Honors
NYU Cervice award to the community. OKU honor society. National Dean's List. National Who's Who.

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