Bit of root left in socket after tooth extraction

Pennylane

Had a lower tooth out yesterday under sedation. In advance I asked for the tooth just out of interest because it had caused me so much bother.


All went well but late last night looked at tooth in bag and there was a bit of the root missing. I just assumed it broke and they threw it away. Tonight I've just looked properly at the hole and can see a lump of white root. Hubby looked with magnifying glass and it definitely is but not near enough to surface to get at. Not that I dare anyway!!


I was told to rinse mouth with salt water which I've done several times today. There is just a tenderness on my lower jaw so I'm hoping this doesn't cause an infection.


I'm wondering if it will work its way out or whether I will have to go back and get it removed. I am also worried that it will heal over with the bit of root still inside. I'm stressing a bit because its night I guess.

Powla

I had a wisdom tooth taken out, both the dentist and I heard it snap and a small part of the root was missing from the extracted tooth. He said to remove it he could cut the gum there and then, take it out and stitch it. Alternatively I could just leave it and hope for the best - I opted for this. He said if there were any problems they would likely be earlier than later, luckily I haven't had any yet (it was years ago) and the gum has healed over it. I guess the best thing to do would be ring the dentist and ask their advice?

Owain_Moneysaver

It's not unusual for small chips of bone or tooth to make their way to the gum surface a few days after extraction. It might be different if there is still a piece of root actually attached in your jaw. Are you sure it is actually root, or can you just see some of the jawbone/socket?

If you're at all worried call the surgery.

Don't stick anything in the hole!

brightlikeme

It either removed later with a small operation or sucked in by the gums up u see. that will not Bother u Much

Pennylane

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

It's not unusual for small chips of bone or tooth to make their way to the gum surface a few days after extraction. It might be different if there is still a piece of root actually attached in your jaw. Are you sure it is actually root, or can you just see some of the jawbone/socket?

If you're at all worried call the surgery.

Don't stick anything in the hole!

I have the tooth and you can definitely see quite a chunk missing from one side of bottom.

Have been to dentist now and he said he is happy that it's healing well and not to worry about missing piece as this often happens. He said sometimes it stays there with no problem and other times the body treats it as a foreign object and it works it's way up. He said this could even take up to 4 years!!! He said sometimes it causes a problem and you have to have gum slit open and it removed and is classed as surgery but I'm not to think about that right now. So I'm trying not to.

Frith

I had 4 teeth out to make room before having braces.


My teeth had multiple pronged roots and the hospital said (I was under GA!) one prong had snapped off and been left behind.


This was 24 years ago and it is still somewhere in my jaw!


I didn't look to see if I could see it as the op really knocked me about for a few days.