Well, went to a new dentist today to "make sure" things were healing nicely since it has been 4 weeks since upper simple extraction of wisdom tooth. Wow....I cant believe that he said yes, it looks fine and it is healing well but it has a ways to go to be completely filled in, ect. He then went on to say that is could take several more weeks...maybe even a month more before I really stop feeling these strange "healing" sensations. I tell ya. If the dentist that did the extraction would have told me this.....I am not sure I would have had it done. Yes, it was crooked. Yes, it was looking kinda nasty and hard to clean around but this recovery is a pain. I keep reading where people are "healed" up in a few weeks....why am I so different? I am taking Vitamin C and drink milk....eat pretty healthy. Maybe it is because I am 40 that this is taking so long? OR maybe it is because my expectations were that since the dentist said "simple" extraction, I mistakenly thought 2 weeks max and I will be good as new. I guess lesson to be learned here is patience, patience and more patience. Good luck everyone!!!!

Hi Kris,

Well that's good news!!!

Your dentist referred to this as a simple extraction because that is exactly what it was compared to one that is complicated. Meaning, your tooth was probably buried in more tissue than bone whereas most teeth are sitting in more bone than tissue....simple vs complicated. Everyone heals differently and at different durations. Some people feel nothing, others are aware of every sensation. There is no way to know how the patient is going to react post operatively to the extraction so because this was a "simple" extraction, I'm guessing that your dentist purposely did not want to put unnecessary concerns in your head.

You are fortunate that you had this tooth removed because it had a high risk of becoming infected due to the angle and difficulty in keeping it clean.

I think your healing phase is very normal and typical of a simple wisdom tooth extraction.... and I have assisted on countless extractions. Supplementing with vitamin C is always a good idea because it aids in the healing process.

I hope you are able to worry less after seeing the new dentist today ;-)

Bryanna

Bryanna,

I did hear a crack before the tooth fell out...does that mean it was more "serious" than a simple extraction or was that just the tooth coming out of the socket? I do feel better with your comments and the new dentist but I just hate discomfort, who doesnt right? Maybe I should just take a Tylenol once in awhile and stop obsessing!!

Kris,

Hearing a crack during the extraction is NORMAL. It is the tooth releasing from the bone, NORMAL. There is no reason to think that there is something wrong.... you are healing normally.

Yes, I agree that you are obsessing. Each day brings more improvement which indicates the healing is progressing properly.

Bryanna

LOL!! Yes, I am obsessing and need to be told that once in awhile so I STOP! This darn anxiety....and reading these boards can make one crazy!!! Thanks again Bryanna! You are doing such a great service here for all of us!! THANK YOU!

You're welcome ;-)

I am all too familiar with anxiety and how it can RULE our every thought! I believe that it is usually best to give/receive the information as straight forward as possible ....even though I know it can be disturbing to hear because it does not help "us" when we're given information that leaves us to our own imagination.....if you know what I mean ~'.'~

You are doing just fine..... thanks for sharing your experience with all of us!!

Bryanna