Reviewed by Dr. Hardeep Dhaliwal
|
Reading time: two minutes
Have you had a tooth extracted recently and now notice a sharp edge or hard bump under the gums? This is often a small bone fragment working its way to the surface during healing. These pieces can feel irritating, but they are usually a normal part of the body’s remodeling process.
Table of Contents
What Are Bone Spicules?
Bone spicules, also called dental bone spurs, are tiny pieces of bone that naturally surface through the gums after an extraction and especially after a wisdom tooth extraction. They can feel like splinters, rough edges, or hard bumps in the healing socket.
During healing, your body remodels the bone under your gums. As part of this process, loose or sharp fragments may work their way out on their own or need gentle removal by your dentist.
Why Bone Spicules Develop After an Extraction
After a tooth is removed, the jawbone goes through a normal remodeling phase. As the extraction site heals and reshapes, small tooth fragments can loosen and break through the gum tissue, where they may feel sharp or raised.
Several factors can make these fragments more likely to appear:
- Surgical or complex extractions that disrupt more bone
- Irregular or sharp edges around the socket
- Bone loss from periodontal disease
- Micro-fractures that occur during tooth removal
These situations simply increase the chance that a loose piece of bone will surface during healing.
| How Long Do Bone Spicules Take to Go Away? Most bone spicules resolve within 1 to 2 weeks as the area heals. Small fragments may fall out on their own, while larger or sharper pieces can take longer. If the irritation lasts beyond two weeks or the fragment becomes more prominent, a quick smoothing or removal by your dentist can provide relief. Contact your provider right away if there is swelling, increased pain, pus or a foul odour. |
How Bone Spicules Are Treated
Most bone spicules do not require treatment, but intervention is simple when needed. Your dentist or oral surgeon may:
- Smooth or trim the exposed bone
- Remove any loose fragments
- Recommend warm saltwater rinses to support healing
- Prescribe antibiotics if the surrounding tissue is inflamed
These procedures are quick and typically provide immediate relief.
What You Can Do At Home
Never attempt to remove a bone spicule yourself, doing so can damage the healing site. Discomfort is usually manageable with:
- Warm saltwater rinses
- Gentle brushing around the area
- Over-the-counter pain medication
If irritation increases or the area becomes more tender, contact your dental office.
Bone Spicules Are Common And Treatable
Your oral health plays a key role in your overall comfort and confidence, and having a specialist you trust can make every step of treatment feel easier.
To book an appointment at our oral surgery office in Issaquah, WA, call (425) 428-5888 or visit us at 6505 226th Pl SE STE #100 Issaquah, WA.
FAQs
Can I pull out a bone spicule myself?
You should not attempt to remove them yourself. Attempting removal can damage soft tissue and increase infection risk.
Do bone spicules cause infection?
The spicule itself does not cause infection, but irritated tissue around it can become inflamed if debris collects.
How do I know if I have a dry socket instead of a bone spicule?
Dry socket causes pain, bad odor, and visible bone in the socket. A spicule causes mild, localized irritation.
Is it normal to have bone spicules two months after wisdom tooth removal?
Bone fragments can appear weeks or even months after a wisdom tooth extraction as the bone continues to remodel. If the area feels sharp or irritated at two months, schedule an evaluation so your provider can determine whether the fragment should be smoothed or removed.
