5 weeks post molar tooth extraction and gums still not closed. Is this normal?

[Joyturner75]

I had a root canal which became infected, leading to molar extraction. I still have pain and my gums have not closed all the way. Dental surgeon told me I “ have prolonged healing”. Is this normal 5 weeks after an extraction?

I am nervous about getting the implant due to how painful and long this process has been.

 

[Gordon]

Yes. It doesn't sound terribly unusual, depending on how big the tooth was and how badly infected originally.

Placing an implant is a whole different kettle of fish to an extraction.

The implant site has to be handled with extreme care and delicacy, not the case with an extraction at all.

 

[clairesmith1973]

@Gordon hi Gordon. Would the recovery of slow healing after extraction affect your full mouth until fully healed.

 

[Gordon]

No, not in any meaningful way.

 

[clairesmith1973]

Thanks for replying Gordon. I had extraction of upper molar 5 weeks ago and slow healing but had dentist yesterday and said healing ok now but slow so still have radiating pain in ear and jaw and burning tightness on and off at extraction site. Would this be normal. The other pain at opposite side is a small ulcer but I have had so much pain with this one tooth which I probably could have saved that I don’t actually know when will ever be ok.

 

[Gordon]

Healing takes place at different rates amongst different people, so it's not that unusual.
I'm afraid it will just take its own time, there's really nothing anyone can do to speed up the process.

 

[clairesmith1973]

@Gordon thanks for replying Gordon just can’t wait until all is ok and as long as I know that this is normal for healing will continue with pains meds and look forward to the end and is getting so anxious that not normal pain.

 

[clairesmith1973]

@Gordon Sorry to annoy you again but I am suffering bad anxiety and hate to go annoy the dentist again. Today the pain radiating into my jaw and neck has been bad and my mouth tastes metalically. The extraction site has a raw feel to it. Do you think this is just healing.

 

[Gordon]

Sounds a bit odd. I'd give the practice a ring and ask them to take another look, it might be a bit of boney spicule trying to work its way out. Like a wee sharp bit of the socket that cuts through the gum as the gum tries to close over it.

 

[clairesmith1973]

Thanks Gordon. I took your advice and went to dentist but they can see nothing wrong and it is a mystery so I have to go private to oral max now. I am praying that it is not nerve damage as I cannot cope much longer.

 

[Gordon]

What kind of "nerve damage" do you think it might be?
Actual nerve damage would result in a loss of sensation in the area, not pain and bad taste.

 

[clairesmith1973]

I don’t know but I have managed to get a private oral max appointment tomorrow so I am hoping will be different.

 

[clairesmith1973]

Hoping it’s not this phantom pain that is my worst fear but the pain has been consistent since few days after. Radiating to cheek, ear, jaw and down neck maybe burning at extraction site but that’s easing.

 

[clairesmith1973]

@Gordon hi Gordon. Just thought I would update you. The oral max said was TMD. Have to rest jaw continue with soft foods and pain meds and hopefully will ease down. Too early to see any nerve damage so hopefully will clam down.

 

[Gordon]

Have a read at our TMD page here: https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/faq/tmj-pain/

There's some decent advice there.