AboutJoel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS Expertise I am a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon available to answer questions related to tooth extractions, implant insertion, facial recontruction, facial and oral tumor removal, TMJ dysfunction and various successful treatments, including surgery if all else fails, and occlusal discrepancy requiring orthognathic or jaw surgery.
Experience Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicing for over 20 years. Assistant Clincal Professor at State University School of Dentistry.
Organizations American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Question I'm 25 years old and I had my two bottom wisdom teeth removed a week ago (they were about 75% of the way in, but giving me pain and partially covered by the gum). Healing hasn't been too bad, but I'm still depending on 600 mg of Advil every five or six hours to keep the pain at bay. I can see that the hole from one of the sockets seems to be getting smaller, but the other one doesn't. In fact I can see into the hole and see something white (bone?). The pain isn't horrible and if anything is just a dull ach that happens five or six hours after I take meds.
How long will I need to be on meds for? Also, how long will it take for the hole to close? Do I need to go back to my oral surgeon? I've spoken to the front office staff at his office (who are very rude), and they said I don't need to come in unless the pain is severe.
I'm getting married in six weeks and want to be healed before I jet off to Europe for my honeymoon!
Answer Christina - The length of time until the ibuprofen is no longer needed is quite variable. The socket holes close at different rates for different individuals and even in different parts of the mouth. Keeping the areas clean with warm salt water rinses 3-4 times a day for a couple of minutes is extremely important in facilitating healing and reduce any inflammation in the sockets which can prolong the discomfort.
I personally believe that if you are still having discomfort a week after the extractions you should be seen by the surgeon. I personally believe in making follow up appointments for almost all my patients and especially those who are uncomfortable.
So I suggest that you contact the office to be seen. In the interim do warm salt water rinses. Often the rinses are enough to stop the discomfort.
Any further questions, feel free to contact me again.
