How long do extraction gaps take to heal and close?

[shanlola]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone could help me with some questions I have, I am currently around 10 months into my brace treatment, with an estimated 8 months left, I am scheduled to have my top second premolars (on either sides) removed in order to correct my over overbite, I have just had my most recent brace tightening around a week ago and was told to schedule the extractions at my normal dentist, the next available appointments there for the extraction is 6 weeks away which I have gone ahead and booked, the problem is this is the same week when I am supposed to be having my next tightening (wire change) at my orthodontist!
I realise that I will have to reschedule this appointment at the orthodontist as I will not be able to have my brace tightened just days after having extractions, my question is how soon after said extractions will it be likely that I could go in for my wire change? I am worried that the long waiting time for my extractions could delay the progress of the braces so I am hoping to carry on with my appointments without the extractions causing much disruption. Also how long usually does an extraction site take to be fully healed? Also to anyone that has had extractions how long did it take for the gap created by the extractions to close in your case? Thank you in advance!

[JanineJanine]

Hi!

I've only had my braces a week so it'll be a long while before my extraction gaps close, but I have been told the gaps should close by around 1mm per month.

In terms of the extractions, I was told to wait 2 weeks after the procedure before getting the braces put on. Owing to appointment times I actually had a 4 week break between extractions and braces. By that time the root holes had almost completely closed up. There are just small indentations left at the extraction sites now.

[shanlola]

Thanks for your helpful reply! I am going to ring my orthodontist today and tell them the dates when I am going for the extractions and ask them to book me in as soon as I'm allowed to go back in for the wire changes, two weeks later sounds great as you said, that won't disrupt my progress much! Can I ask how you felt after the extractions? I'm guessing there will be some pain, do you think it would be wise to take the day after my appointment off work? I work in a pharmacy so I do a fair amount of talking to customers, I dread the idea of spitting blood at them!

[djspeece]

Your ortho will be able to give you the best estimate. I understand that the goal is to move teeth no faster than 1 mm per month (also mentioned by Janine), so you can probably get a ballpark estimate by measuring the gap. However it might take longer, if you have dense bones like I do. The pain after extractions seems of course to vary person to person. I preferred to take a narcotic oral analgesic (Tylenol #3 or Percocet as I recall) for a day or two. I'm not much for needless suffering. Others here get by with Tylenol. Obviously that would impact your ability to return to work. I would definitely recommend you take the rest of the day off following the extractions, in any event. I would probably wait a week before changing the archwire or replacing powerchains, but again your ortho is the best source of advice. There may be some advantage to an adjustment sooner rather than later since the jaw bone will be in a serious remodeling phase following the extraction, but again I defer to your ortho. You may have some slight oozing from the wound for a day or two, but you won't be spitting blood on customers. Or just issue them biohazard gear as they approach the counter . Best of luck to you!

[JanineJanine]

My extractions were done mid-morning and I needed to hold the gauze in place until the bleeding stopped for good at about 5pm. I went to work the next day but I have a desk job so was able to sit quietly most of the day, so you may be more comfortable taking an extra day off.

I took paracetamol when I got home after the extractions and I think just once the following day - the pain was not as bad as I was expecting. Good luck, I hope it all goes well for you :)

[Lovespain5]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone could help me with some questions I have, I am currently around 10 months into my brace treatment, with an estimated 8 months left, I am scheduled to have my top second premolars (on either sides) removed in order to correct my over overbite, I have just had my most recent brace tightening around a week ago and was told to schedule the extractions at my normal dentist, the next available appointments there for the extraction is 6 weeks away which I have gone ahead and booked, the problem is this is the same week when I am supposed to be having my next tightening (wire change) at my orthodontist!
I realise that I will have to reschedule this appointment at the orthodontist as I will not be able to have my brace tightened just days after having extractions, my question is how soon after said extractions will it be likely that I could go in for my wire change? I am worried that the long waiting time for my extractions could delay the progress of the braces so I am hoping to carry on with my appointments without the extractions causing much disruption. Also how long usually does an extraction site take to be fully healed? Also to anyone that has had extractions how long did it take for the gap created by the extractions to close in your case? Thank you in advance!

My extraction gaps were completly closed after 24 months of treatment but my upper AND my lower first premolars had been removed. So probably your teeth will need half the time my teeth needed. Maybe between 8 and 12 months. But teeth don't necessite the same time to move in each person.

About the healing, I put cloves in the extraction sites to help with it. It lessens the extraction pain.

I received my braces three weeks after the 2 last extractions, because it's impossible to eat with the braces and the extraction pain at the same time + 4 teeth missing.

[lambchop]

I got my braces put on one week after I had my two upper premolars extracted (took the day of extractions off, went to work the next...I wait tables, so there was much talking involved....not a big deal, other than feeling like I looked like a hick, lol). There were no problems, except when the mold was taken for my uppers; the suction pulled at one of the extraction sites upon removal, and some bleeding ensued. The ortho didn't seem to think the clot had been dislodged, so we went ahead with the braces that day. I wore my braces for three months shy of five (count 'em, FIVE!) years, always anal about wearing my elastics...mostly because my extraction gaps wouldn't close and stay closed. They would work on my bite, and the gaps would open; they would close the gaps and the bite would get wonky...I wore double power chains, metal wire ties, and some special scalloped thingy to cant my top teeth just right while letting things close up...it took forever! Not trying to freak you out, but one never knows how their teeth are going to behave...just hope for the best and keep 'em clean!