Post-Operative Care Guidelines: Ensuring a Smooth Recovery After Oral Surgery
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FAQ’s about Wisdom Tooth Surgery
Is it normal for one side to hurt more than the other?
This is completely normal. It is very common that teeth can be at different orientations and sometimes more or less bone has to be removed on one side versus the other. This can result in postoperatively having more or less pain in certain areas over others.
Is it normal that one side or area will heal faster than the other?
This is completely normal as well. Sometimes a larger incision is necessary and that can differ from one side to the other as well as more or less bone needing to be taken out to remove a certain tooth. This difference is absolutely normal in addition to being normal for them to have different healing times.
I have noticed some white stuff in the wounds where my teeth were taken out, is that normal?
Yes, this is normal. Much like a scab that one would get on the skin, the inside of a socket after a tooth is removed will heal like a scab and protects the bone. Much like when you get a scab wet and it turns a whitish or yellowish kind of color, this is observed with the healing process in the mouth as well and it is completely normal.
Is it normal to have some bleeding from my nose after the procedure?
This can be normal as well. Oftentimes upper wisdom teeth sit within the maxillary sinuses. A small amount of blood from the extraction site can get into the maxillary sinus and is it normal for them to drain through the nasal cavity. This can be totally normal but it is also a good question to bring up at your postoperative appointment.
Is it normal for my blood clot to come out?
This can be normal as well. Typically the blood clot that starts to form a scab is deeper in the socket and adherent to the bone, meaning some of the superficial part of that clot can come out.
I think my sutures came out, is that normal?
Oftentimes for wisdom tooth removal, stitches or sutures are placed to aid in hemostasis (slowing or stopping the bleeding from a surgical site during the procedure and immediately postoperatively). While it is normal to have sutures placed, it is also normal to have no sutures placed after wisdom tooth removal. The length of time that the sutures stay intact for this procedure is not critical.
Is it normal to have a hole where the tooth was taken out?
This is normal. There are two types of tissue: hard, also known as bone, and soft, also known as mucosa. These two tissue types heal at different rates. It is normal for the soft tissue to start healing faster than the hard (bone). This creates what appears as a “hole” in the area where the bone will continue to regenerate.
*Please note that for patients of record we provide round-the-clock access to the surgeon on call for post operative concerns. Please call 281-392-1130 for after hours help.
Dr. Justin R. Brock
Dr. Brock performs all aspects of oral, maxillofacial and reconstructive procedures. Dr. Brock’s interests...
Dr. Christopher D. Morris
Christopher D. Morris DDS, MD, FACS is a board certified oral maxillofacial surgeon whose surgical...
