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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Reason For A Whitish Layer On The Extraction Site?

Hello Doctor, I had all four wisdom teeth removed 1 week ago and I developed a "white-ish" layer over the lower extraction sites a couple of days ago. Today I was eating sushi and I noticed that the white film is now gone and a hole is completely exposed. Is this normal?
Wed, 9 Apr 2014
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Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement,  's  Response
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us
Once a tooth is extracted, the resulting hole fills with blood and clots. This blood clot is the matrix from which your body creates the new bone and gum that will fill in the space left by the extracted tooth. As this blood clot matures and becomes more fibrous, it can appear to have a white film or skin over the top of it. This appears as a white spot in the center of the healing socket. This is nothing more than new gum tissue being formed and because this layer of the clot is exposed to the saliva in your mouth, it becomes saturated with moisture, waterlogged in a way, and appears white. This is perfectly normal and will disappear as the healing progresses. Do not poke at it or disturb it at all if you can help it. Your are doing all the right things with your salt water rinses and keeping it clean.
Hope this helps you.
Wishing you good health...
Regards.
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What Is The Reason For A Whitish Layer On The Extraction Site?

Hello, Thanks for writing to us Once a tooth is extracted, the resulting hole fills with blood and clots. This blood clot is the matrix from which your body creates the new bone and gum that will fill in the space left by the extracted tooth. As this blood clot matures and becomes more fibrous, it can appear to have a white film or skin over the top of it. This appears as a white spot in the center of the healing socket. This is nothing more than new gum tissue being formed and because this layer of the clot is exposed to the saliva in your mouth, it becomes saturated with moisture, waterlogged in a way, and appears white. This is perfectly normal and will disappear as the healing progresses. Do not poke at it or disturb it at all if you can help it. Your are doing all the right things with your salt water rinses and keeping it clean. Hope this helps you. Wishing you good health... Regards.