I got tooth #30 extracted on Oct 7 because of an infected root canal a dentist I had failed to diagnose but that is another story. I had to have the tooth removed and at 32 I do not want my face to dip as I read on here that is what happens after extraction. My oral surgeon said that because it was a difficult tooth to extract (it broke off at the gumline when I was out of the country) that it will take longer to heal. Well I went back in 2 weeks ago and the area was still swollen, I was clenching and grinding my teeth when I woke up and the area of the tooth extraction looked horrible and sunken in so he said to wait until the first week of December. Also, when I had the infected root canal a lymph node swelled up under my jaw where the root canal was but I see no decrease in size since I had the tooth removed.

My concern is how much longer should I wait if I want a bone graft done without sacrificing face shape or bone structure? I am very worried about my face looking lopsided if I don't do the bone graft. I don't necessarily want an implant right away because I plan to get braces since my upper teeth are slightly crooked.

Hi sweetbee,

Tooth #30 is a lower right first molar. If you have tooth #31 and #29 still present, then your face is not going to sink in or become lopsided due to this tooth missing. Even if one or both of those teeth are missing, you will not get any noticeable change in your outward appearance. Inside your mouth will see a concave area where tooth #30 use to be... but that will not affect the shape of your face.

The oral surgeon is correct in that the area will take longer to heal due to the extent of the infection in the bone. Evidently that tooth was infected for a long time before it was removed. It is best to wait until the sight is healed before putting in the bone graft. The surgeon will check it again in December.

Regarding the swollen lymph node.... that may need further evaluation. Have you taken antibiotics? Is the node sore or tender? By any chance do you smoke?

Bryanna