In early July, I had my lower left wisdom tooth extracted. I wanted to see the tooth after the extraction, but my dentist wouldn’t let me handle it or keep it. My gum took about three weeks to heal and close.

Since then, I’ve had pain on the left side of my face, in my ear, and behind my eye. The facial and ear pain have mostly gone away, but the pain behind my eye continues. I’m wondering whether the entire tooth was removed. Could a tooth root fragment left in the socket become infected and cause this type of pain? – Thanks. Judith from OR

Judith,

After a wisdom tooth extraction with an open socket, infections are uncommon because the area can drain naturally. In contrast, infections are more likely when an impacted tooth requires stitches that close the gum over the site.

If a full root or large fragment remains in the socket, the gum can heal over it and trap bacteria inside the jaw. This situation can lead to ongoing discomfort or infection.

Does a Tooth Root Fragment Require Removal?

Ongoing symptoms deserve attention from another dentist, ideally an oral surgeon who can both diagnose and treat the problem. An X-ray provides clear evidence of whether any tooth structure remains.

This step helps determine:

• If a retained root is causing symptoms
• Whether the bone has healed over the area
• How complex removal would be, if needed

If a significant root was unintentionally left behind, requesting a refund could be reasonable.

Tooth roots do occasionally fracture during removal, particularly in older patients whose roots may thicken over time. This complication can occur even with careful treatment and is not automatically the dentist’s fault.

Appropriate care depends on the fragment:

• Small tips in risky locations may be left to heal naturally
• Larger sections should be removed by the dentist or an oral surgeon

Patients should always receive a clear explanation when this happens.

Many patients like to see or keep their extracted tooth, and dentists often honor that request. If you couldn’t view the tooth after asking, seeking clarification or a second opinion is a reasonable next step.

Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy sponsors this post. Dr. Lacy and her team cater to patients with dental anxiety.