Tooth Extraction Recovery: How Long Does It Take?

Heather E. Martinson, DDS • August 18, 2022

Did you know that the number of dentist businesses in the US is 178,867? This is an increase of 0.4% from 2021. Additionally, between 2017 and 2022, the average growth of the number of businesses that are in the US dentist industry has been 0.4% per year.

If you're planning on seeing one of the many dentists in the US, and you're thinking of seeing a dentist in Arlington, TX, who does tooth extractions, you might feel anxious about this procedure. You might worry about how long recovery takes.

Fortunately, in this guide, we'll review everything you need to know about tooth extraction recovery.

Finally, you can get your tooth extraction procedure done with all the information you need, feeling less pain without the stress of worrying about the procedure. Read on to learn more.

What a Tooth Extraction Is

Before we go into how long tooth extraction recovery takes, we'll review what a tooth extraction is. This is a dental procedure, and when it occurs, the person doing it for you will remove one of your teeth from its socket entirely. Sometimes, people will refer to this procedure as pulling a tooth.

Tooth extraction is a process that a dentist or a dental specialist (like a periodontist or oral surgeon) will perform when the damage to your tooth is so bad that removal is necessary.

When possible, dental professionals will use a restorative method so tooth extraction isn't necessary. These include, for example, dental crowns or dental fillings.

However, if these aren't possible, it may be necessary to remove the tooth.

A dental professional might recommend tooth extraction in certain situations. These include situations in which you might have one or more of the following:

Cavities (severe tooth decay)
An impacted tooth
A fractured tooth
Severe gum disease
Crowded teeth

Additionally, if you have tooth luxation or another dental injury type, tooth extraction might be necessary. Note that, when cases that require tooth extraction are more complex, the person who does the procedure will usually be a periodontist or oral surgeon.

What Occurs During a Tooth Extraction

To understand the healing and recovery process of a tooth extraction, you have to know what occurs during a tooth extraction. This way, you can understand which specific parts of your mouth need to heal. Everything that follows is what occurs after you're given local anesthesia, regardless of the tooth extraction cost.

The dentist or dental professional loosens the tooth gently. Then, they lift it carefully from the socket.

Note that, depending on your tooth's situation, the dentist or dental professional may have to make incisions to access the tooth. Specifically, these incisions would be in your gums.

After the tooth removal part of the procedure is completed, the dental professional or dentist will clean and disinfect your socket. They might also put in a dental bone graft or put in stitches for the promotion of healing.

How Long Recovery Takes

The amount of time it takes to recover from a tooth extraction varies. This is because the complexity of the case is what will determine the length of the recovery time. This said the majority of people will start to feel normal again in a few days.

When it comes to most of your routine activities, you'll be able to return to them within 48 to 72 hours. However, when it comes to the healing of the jawbone itself, the healing will take several weeks.

For this reason, if you plan on, a dental implant or any other dental services for, replacing your tooth, you should wait until full recovery to do this. The amount of time you'll have to wait in this case would probably be a few months.

What Impacts How Long Recovery Takes

Certain things will impact how long your recovery takes. These are all part of your tooth extraction aftercare and post-surgical instructions to follow. Usually, after the extraction has occurred, your dentist will provide you with a post-surgical instructions list that's detailed.

When you follow this list, you'll ensure that your recovery is speedy. For a speedy recovery, here are four general guidelines.

Take All Medications as Directed

Your dentist might prescribe you pain relievers and antibiotics. You must take, exactly as directed, all of these medications. Note that it's also possible for you to take pain relievers that are of the over-the-counter type, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Keep the Site of Extraction Clean

Two to three times every day, you should rinse the area of extraction gently using an antimicrobial mouthwash. As for brushing, avoid doing this directly on the site of extraction until your dentist says it's safe for you to do so.

As for the other areas of your mouth and teeth, floss and brush as you would normally.

Avoid Strenuous Activity For at Least Two Days

When your heart rate is elevated, it has the potential to cause an increase in post-operative discomfort and bleeding. For between the first 48 and 72 hours, you should skip going to the gym. To know when it's safe for you to resume normal routines, ask your dentist.

Be Careful About What You Eat

Whether you've had a wisdom tooth extraction, an emergency tooth extraction, or another type of tooth extraction, tooth or wisdom tooth recovery needs to be careful about what you eat. During the first few days, avoid crunchy and hard foods.

Instead, eat soft foods. These might include applesauce, yogurt, eggs, pasta, and rice.

Also, don't drink through straws. This could dislodge blood clots, as well as cause dry sockets.

Looking for a Dentist in Arlington, TX, Who Does Tooth Extractions?

Now that you've learned about how long tooth extraction recovery takes, you might be looking for a dentist in Arlington, TX, who does tooth extractions. In this case, you should look no further than Heather E. Martin, DDS.

Dr. Martinson has attended many universities, including Loma Linda University School of Dentistry (where she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery), the University of Texas at Arlington, and Southern University in Tennessee.

She also has an American Academy of Facial Esthetics certification. To find out more about how she can help you with your dental needs, contact her now.

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Dr. Heather E. Martinson

D.D.S

Dr. Martinson has been serving patients and improving smiles through her work for the past 25 years. She attended both Southern University in Tennessee and the University of Texas at Arlington before earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Southern California. She is a graduate of The Dawson Academy in Florida and the Schuster Center in Arizona, and has completed several cosmetic, implant and restorative continuing education courses. Dr. Martinson has also earned certification in the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. This allows her to provide Botox and dermal fillers to her dental patients.

The favorite part of Dr. Martinson’s job is being able to work closely with so many wonderful people and help them become healthier! And also help them to avoid heart attacks and strokes!

Dr. Martinson is married to Captain Myron Martinson (formerly a pilot with American Airlines). Together they have several 4-legged kiddos. When she is not busy at work, she enjoys bicycling, gardening, cooking, entertaining and traveling with family.

Dr. Martinson maintains active membership in the following professional organizations:

The Dental Implant Process Explained

By Heather E. Martinson, DDS • May 21, 2025

Undergoing a comprehensive surgical procedure, such as a dental implant, can be a big step. Still, studies like one by Tobias et al. (2025) report over a 97% success rate , even after five years. These show that it can offer significant long-term benefits with a reasonable guarantee of retention. So, if you are searching for a reliable solution to a dental issue, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, may be the one to choose for state-of-the-art implant surgery, but what does it entail? Below, our dental implants guide describes the dental implant process step-by-step to help you understand and feel more comfortable getting the smile you want. Explore each stage, from the initial consultation to attaching the crown. Then, discover what you might want to discuss with Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, to ensure you get the desired results. Why Dental Implants are Our Best Fix for Missing Teeth Unlike crowns or fillings, dental implants are not a simple cap on an existing tooth . Nor are they intended to be temporary. Instead, they replace both the tooth's root and crown , preserving the jawbone and structure of the face by offering a complete prosthetic that the body should accept as its own. Titanium posts integrate with the bone and offer a very stable foundation for chewing. This is one of the reasons studies such as those by Kupka et al (2024) have found that dental implants often last for decades, with 80% continuing to last for over 20 years. With crowns, you will still need to be careful of what you bite into in case the prosthetic detaches from the tooth. However, implants can often restore the full force of your bite. For this reason, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS , and her team prefer to use these prostheses, eliminating several difficulties one might encounter with other options. How Gaps Affect Function and Appearance We understand that it can sometimes be tempting to leave tooth gaps as they are due to the perceived hassle of installing a new implant. However, missing teeth can drastically impact the mouth beyond issues with appearance or speech patterns, as it can cause the jawbone itself to start "sagging" where the tooth no longer exists. Teeth may also begin to shift position, leading to bite issues. Early restoration via a professionally-implanted denture can prevent this loss and maintain the face's proportions. Perfect for maintaining a youthful visage. Why Implants Outperform Bridges and Dentures Bridges and dentures are critical parts of a high-quality dentistry offering . However, they do not tend to last as long as an implant due to how implants preserve the underlying bone. This fact may go a long way towards explaining why the NIDCR in the US has recently discussed a " fourfold increase " in the number of adults receiving dental implants over two decades. Still, that doesn't mean discounting these options. If you feel a bridge or denture may be best for you, you should discuss your options with our dental team . Discuss the pros and cons of each option. In some cases, implant-supported dentures are also available , allowing for a combination of both. Dental Implant Process Step-by-Step at Heather Martinson DDS Our implant procedure steps combine: Consultations 3D imaging Surgical planning Continual checks for precision Constant coordination with colleagues Using these, we can ensure that your results are accurate and efficient. Initial Consultation and 3D Scan The first step is always to take a detailed medical and dental history . Using this, we can determine if you have any risk factors, such as smoking habits, that we need to be aware of so we can help maintain your safety. Then, we will assess how your jaw aligns to ensure we do not interfere with this. Our advanced scanner can capture 3-dimensional images of every part of your mouth for precision-planning, including: Jawbones Sinuses Nerve canals Details of prior surgery We can even use this to preview the final outcome before surgery, allowing you to understand the most likely results and give a go-ahead from a position of knowledge. Precise Implant Placement Before the final crown "tooth" can be placed in the jaw, you will require surgery to install the implant itself. This implant is the structure that sits in your jawbone, maintaining the visible crown's position while preventing it from moving. This step involves local anesthesia or other forms of sedation to ensure your comfort. Then, the dentist will create a path for your implant to sit within your jaw. The implant is up to 5mm in diameter and up to 13mm in length, meaning it is robust enough to prevent damage due to torsion or other forces. After the placement, the dentist will use sutures and a protective cap to shield the site. During this healing phase, the implant undergoes "osseointegration," which is the growth of bone cells around the implant surface. This process takes up to six months to ensure it integrates with the body. Once the dentist is sure that your body has accepted the implant, they will reveal the site of the implant and perform a scan to ensure that an external lab can produce a perfect crown for the area, matching your prior teeth as closely as possible. After the final attachment, you can review the tooth , offering feedback such as colour adjustments or determining whether it needs minor alteration to match your bite. Long-Term Implant Care The Arlington, TX, dental care experts can offer advice and guidance on the best steps to ensure that the implant lasts as long as possible and remains comfortable. However, should you need anything else , their clinic will be available for you to follow up, so ask them for more details on how you need to schedule follow-up appointments to ensure you get the best results. Take the Next Step with One of the Best Dentists in Arlington After learning the dental implant process step-by-step , you should understand what it entails and be able to make better healthcare decisions. With over 25 years of experience in Arlington, TX, we can ensure your treatment focuses on improving your dental health and restoring your natural and healthy beauty using the latest techniques and advances. If you want to investigate the possibility of an implant, remember that you can always request a free consultation with Heather Martinson, DDS. Following that, you should be able to begin your journey to regain your full chewing ability and a confident smile.