Response & Wound Healing

Question 1

Extraction wounds heal by..

Answer 1

Secondary intention

Question 2

What events follow immediately after an extraction?

Answer 2

1. Blood fills extraction site
2. Both intrinsic & extrinsic pathways of the clotting cascade are activated
3. Resultant fibrin meshwork contains entrapped RBCs, seals off torn blood vessels & reduces size of extraction wound

Question 3

Most common complication of extraction..

Answer 3

DRY SOCKET

Dry socket is when the blood clot at the site of the tooth extraction fails to develop, or it dislodges or dissolves before the wound has healed.

Question 4

Why are the hours after tooth extraction critical?

Answer 4

If blood clot disintegrates, healing may be greatly delayed & will be extremely painful. (Dry socket sicca dolorosa/ focal or localised osteitis)

Question 5

How long does it take for bone to heal?

Answer 5

4-6 weeks

Question 6

How long does it take for alveolar bone to gain back pre-fracture strength?

Answer 6

3 months for maxilla
6 months for mandible

Question 7

What is Wallerian degeneration?

Answer 7

Distal axon degeneration, following section or severe injury, with degeneration of the myelin.

• takes weeks to months for recovery
• portion of the nerve is inexcitable electrically