Caligal,

The healing from the extraction of an infected OR root canaled tooth is longer than from an extraction of a non infected tooth. The reason being is that the bone surrounding an infected OR root canaled tooth will also be infected to some degree. To reduce the likelihood of post operative complications and to promote healing a few things need to take place:

1) The surgeon needs to be thorough in removing the tooth in its entirety along with removing all diseased tissue and bone. He needs to be aware and treat if necessary any sinus communication/perforations that are seen or occur during the surgery. Ideally, the bone graft should be placed in healthy, not infected, bone. If the bone has been thoroughly cleaned but there is still evidence or suspicion of infection still present, then it is sometimes best to not place the graft until the site has had time to become healthier.... about 2-3+ weeks post op.

2) The patient should follow the post operative protocol given to them by the surgeon. With the exception of rinsing with any type of chemically laden mouthwash like Listerine as that will cause further irritation and can disrupt the formation of a clot pre disposing the site to develop a dry socket.

3) The patient should not smoke or drink alcohol as long as the gum tissue is open. Any smoking or alcohol will slow down the healing and could easily result in dry socket.

4) The patient should drink water to the equivalent of half their body weight in ounces. Meaning weight 100 lbs = 50 ounces of water per day. The water helps to keep you hydrated and continuously flushes out the bacteria.

5) The patient should eat a sugar free, nutrient dense soft food diet to provide the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed to heal the bone and gum tissue. If not allergic... all vegetables, fruit, eggs, oatmeal, lean and tender meats (that do not require a lot of chewing), potatoes, and healthy fats like coconut oil, olive oil and organic butter.

6) The patient should brush and floss all of their teeth twice a day to keep the plaque from accumulating anywhere as this sticky substance can cause or contribute to an infection.

In a healthy patient, the healing from an non complicated extraction of a non infected or non root canaled tooth is generally about 2-3 weeks if no post operative complications occur. The gum tissue closes over in about that time frame and the jaw bone takes up to one full year (with or without a graft) to fill in completely.

There is a difference between hard and soft tissue swelling. Soft tissue is associated with inflammation of the tissue, muscles, tendons and ligaments. It is usually soft or spongy to the touch. Hard tissue swelling is when the inflammation is hard and immobile.

The dark spots underneath your tongue may have always been there and you never noticed them? They could be inflamed vessels in response to an irritant or health condition. They have to been seen clinically to evaluate.

Dental implants are intended to be placed in healthy adequate jaw bone no sooner than 4-6 months post op and no later than one year post op the extraction of a tooth.

Bryanna