After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth

Promoting Healing, Protecting Your Smile

Now that your impacted tooth has been exposed, your path to a healthier, more functional smile has begun. These post-operative guidelines are your tools for navigating the healing process. By managing discomfort, keeping the surgical site clean, and following our recommendations closely, you’ll support your body’s natural healing abilities and move closer to your oral health goals.

Home Instructions After Impacted Tooth Exposure

After Impacted tooth exposure, do not disturb the wound. If surgical packing was placed, leave it alone. The packing helps to keep the tooth exposed. If it gets dislodged or falls out, do not get alarmed but please contact our office for instructions.

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding that rapidly fills your mouth with blood can frequently be controlled by biting with pressure on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling apply an ice bag or a plastic bag filled with ice cubes on your cheek near the area of surgery. Apply the ice as much as possible for the first 36 hours.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or hard foods. Only consume soft food and liquids on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, one or two tablets of Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken four times daily, not to exceed 3200mg daily for an adult. Consult our practice for individuals under 18. Do not take the two medications at the same time.

For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic to them, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more every day. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.

Oral Hygiene

Oral cleanliness is essential to good healing. Clean your mouth thoroughly after each meal, beginning the day after surgery. Brush your teeth normally if possible. Rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) six times a day. Continue this procedure until healing is complete.

REMEMBER: A clean wound heals better and faster.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Be aware that your normal nourishment intake is reduced. Exercise may weaken you. If you get light headed, stop exercising.

Finally

  • Sutures are placed in the area of surgery to minimize post-operative bleeding and to help healing. Sometimes they become dislodged. This is no cause for alarm. Just remove the suture from your mouth and discard it. The sutures will be removed approximately one week after surgery. The removal of sutures requires no anesthesia or needles. It takes only a minute or so, and there is usually no discomfort associated with this procedure.
  • The pain and swelling should subside more and more each day following surgery. If your post-operative pain or swelling worsens or unusual symptoms occur, call our office for instructions.
  • There will be a void where the tooth was removed. The void will fill in with new tissue gradually over the next month. In the meantime, the area should be kept clean, especially after meals, with salt water rinses or a toothbrush.
  • Every patient’s situation is unique. If you have any concerns, reach out to the experts who know your case best: Drs. Wolf, Mekhail, or Moll, or your family dentist.Retry
  • Brushing your teeth is okay – just be gentle at the surgical sites.
  • A dry socket is when the blood clot gets dislodged prematurely from the tooth socket. Symptoms of pain at the surgical site and even pain near the ear may occur 2-3 days following surgery. Call the office if this occurs.
  • If you are involved in regular exercise, be aware that your normal nourishment intake is reduced. Exercise may weaken you. If you get light headed, stop exercising.

Before & After Patient Transformations

Real Transformations, Lasting Outcomes

These before-and-after images showcase complex implant rehabilitations, wisdom tooth extractions, and full mouth reconstructions performed by our board-certified surgeons. Each transformation represents restored function, improved oral health, and renewed confidence through specialized surgical care.
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500+

Smiles Restored

20+

Services Offered

98%

Satisfaction Rate

4.4

Average Rating

350+

Implants Placed

2700+

Lives Changed Last Year

500+

Smiles Restored

20+

Services Offered

98%

Satisfaction Rate

4.4

Average Rating

350+

Implants Placed

2700+

Lives Changed Last Year

500+

Smiles Restored

20+

Services Offered

98%

Satisfaction Rate

4.4

Average Rating

350+

Implants Placed

2700+

Lives Changed Last Year

500+

Smiles Restored

20+

Services Offered

98%

Satisfaction Rate

4.4

Average Rating

350+

Implants Placed

2700+

Lives Changed Last Year

500+

Smiles Restored

20+

Services Offered

98%

Satisfaction Rate

4.4

Average Rating

350+

Implants Placed

2700+

Lives Changed Last Year

500+

Smiles Restored

20+

Services Offered

98%

Satisfaction Rate

4.4

Average Rating

350+

Implants Placed

2700+

Lives Changed Last Year

500+

Smiles Restored

20+

Services Offered

98%

Satisfaction Rate

4.4

Average Rating

350+

Implants Placed

2700+

Lives Changed Last Year

Patient Testimonials

Real Patients Share Their Life-Changing Experiences

Patients consistently describe how our specialized oral surgery care restored their confidence and comfort. With hundreds of 5-star reviews, their transformative stories speak for themselves.
  • This dentist office is great. Everyone is so professional, nice, and inviting. This was also the fastest dentist appointment I’ve had in years. Literally an in and out process. 10-10 highly recommend
    T Shanille
    2 weeks ago
  • My husband had some work done by Dr. Wolf and Dr was very patient and professional with the care he provided. Staff was friendly and helpful. Would recommend Dr. Wolf if someone is in need.
    Stephanie Wagner
    2 weeks ago
  • The pain is here. But Dr. Mita was great. He is professional and kind. I know I spelled his name incorrect. My dental assistant was outstanding. All in all I had a visit.
    Natylee NatyleeG
    2 weeks ago
  • They were great made me comfortable cause they knew I was nervous. I had some anesthesia for my tooth extraction, and I was done quicker than I knew. Great job I would definitely come back, but hopefully I won’t have too lol😘
    Lauren Davis
    4 weeks ago
  • So far so good! Actually I messed up my appointment was for the next day but they said it was alright and squeezed me in! Very nice professional and way to communicate with! And very helpful! Thank you great staff!
    Sandra Erb
    2 months ago
  • I got my wisdom teeth out this morning and Dr. Moll, along with the nurses did an amazing job taking care of me. I was nervous going into it, but they made me feel very comfortable and eased my nerves.
    Kaitlyn Meredith Macki
    2 months ago
  • My husband has gone to Northwest Oral Surgeons twice now. Both times he has had great experiences with Dr Mekhail. Both the doctor and assistant Cheyanne took great care him. All the front office girls were very friendly and helpful. We would highly recommend Northwest Oral Surgeons.
    Debbie Porte
    2 months ago
  • Everyone was so pleasant and professional! We appreciate the staff working to get our son in for a consultation before he heads back to college. We saw Dr. Moll. He did a great job of explaining everything to us.
    Tyann Hayden
    2 months ago

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Our Schererville office on US Highway 30 and Munster location provide easy access for patients throughout Northwest Indiana including Hammond, Crown Point, Valparaiso, and surrounding communities. Both convenient locations ensure specialized oral surgery care is accessible when you need it most.

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Exposure Site Care

Protect Your Healing Site for Successful Tooth Eruption

Following these specific care instructions ensures your exposed tooth can properly erupt into position as planned. Your attention to healing site protection directly impacts the success of your orthodontic treatment timeline.

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