Swelling after Extractions

We’ve provided lots of people with replacement teeth at the office of Dr. Martin Urban, but sometimes teeth need to be extracted before new ones can be put in. When a tooth is severely compromised or causing overcrowding, a patient may be glad to be rid of it. But they will likely have to deal with some swelling after the procedure, so they should know what to expect.

When a tooth is extracted, the empty socket will briefly be exposed before the blood clots and seals it off. The immune system will trigger inflammation at the extraction site to prevent the migration of harmful bacteria and to concentrate while blood cells. Swelling following a simple extraction is usually not as severe as following one in which incisions were made, but the patient should try to minimize it by applying cold packs. A cold pack should be applied for no more than fifteen minutes at a time, with fifteen minutes allowed to pass between applications.

Swelling should peak within three days. A patient should call for advice if it does not. After swelling has peaked, they may try reducing it with heat packs, again using the fifteen-on, fifteen-off rule. The patient should schedule an emergency appointment if they are in pain or the extraction site turns black or white, but in most cases, the swelling completely recedes within a week. Follow-up examinations are common at this point.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.