Tooth extraction: how long does it take to fully heal?

In stages: Beginning healing in about 1 week. Next stage healing in about 2-3 weeks. Complete healing can take up to 3-6 months.

3 to 6 months: Healing starts the day the tooth is removed, but it takes a while for gum to cover the socket where the tooth was, and for bone to fill in the hole underneath the gum. Often, an x-ray will show the outline of where the tooth was for years after the extraction because teeth are surrounded by a dense layer of bone.