Exposed bone after a tooth extraction

Dear Melissa!

Sharp bone corners are normal after a tooth extraction; important is not to have the bone completely exposed – it should be covered with fibrin and/or a coagulated blood clot.

Fibrin is soft and yellowish, and shouldn’t be confused with bone material, which is hard. Blood clots on the other hand are brown/red/grey-ish, and also of softer consistency.

If there is too much bone exposed – hard and white – then you should freshen up the wound, maybe even have it overstitched.

What you definitely should not do is play around and irritate the wound with your fingers and tongue, as that can lead to infection and prevent/damage the natural healing process.

Have a quick look in the mirror - ideally use a soup spoon to hold your cheek away from the affected area; if the wound is covered then you should be ok, if the bones are exposed then you should visit your dentist as soon as possible!

All the best!