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Hard lump on gum after infection then extraction - how long before it goes away?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Annie364
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Annie364

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I had a root canalled UL7 tooth that got cracked then infected. It was probably about 4 months from when I first noticed the crack + aching pain (on and off) inside where the root was, to getting it extracted. A CBCT scan was done and an abscess was found at the end of the root of the tooth.

During that time, probably the last month of it, I noticed a hard lump on my gum, starting about 1cm from the gum edge towards the roof of my mouth. The lump area is not round but longer and around 1cm I think. I had a sore and stingy feeling on that gum area. The gum isn't spongy, it's normal/hard like the rest of the gums.

Then I had the tooth extracted, and the dentist did it really well. He said it was a complicated/difficult extraction. He did his best to clear out the infection as much as was possible as well. I had a couple of stitches, and I think it's healing well as far as I know. It's been 1 week since the extraction.

The gum still has the lump and is still quite sore and stingy in the area. We are planning to place an implant in 3-4 months when the bone has regrown into the extraction site and the infection has cleared up.

I am wondering about the lump:
1 - What is this lump exactly? It feels completely hard like part of my gum anatomy, like the lump is from deep underneath (nothing like a boil or pus spot etc and no discolouration). Is there an infection deep inside which has pushed the gum outwards to form this lump?

2 - How long will it take to go away?

3 - And will the body completely clear out all the infection from the area within 3-4 months to result in clean bone/tissue/gum in there? I would like there to be no infection in there when the implant is placed. I am generally healthy and not on any meds, and I don't smoke.

Thanks very much.
 
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1 - What is this lump exactly? It feels completely hard like part of my gum anatomy, like the lump is from deep underneath (nothing like a boil or pus spot etc and no discolouration). Is there an infection deep inside which has pushed the gum outwards to form this lump?
Can't really say from your description, sorry.

2 - How long will it take to go away?
Depends on 1, so I don't know.
3 - And will the body completely clear out all the infection from the area within 3-4 months to result in clean bone/tissue/gum in there? I would like there to be no infection in there when the implant is placed. I am generally healthy and not on any meds, and I don't smoke.
Probably. If all the tooth was removed, then yes, your immune system will clear out everything within 3 months. Assuming you're a normal healthy person with no underlying medical issues?

Best thing is to give it another week or so, see if the lump has changed any and then contact your dentist to get them to have another look at you.
 
Thanks so much Gordon, that's a real help.

Thankfully he did get all the tooth out 99% sure, if anything was left it would be a tiny bit up against my sinus. Yes, I'm a normal healthy person without any underlying medical issues.

I will give the lump another week or so then and keep an eye on it.
 
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