I can see a bone spur in my gums. What should I do?

December 07, 2021

  

Do you feel a projecting bone fragment lodged in your gum tissue? You likely have a bone spur in the gums. While uncomfortable, the condition is not usually cause for concern. In fact, a bone spur in gum tissue is not an uncommon postoperative complication and most often it is easily treatable.

What is a bone spur in gum tissue?

A bone spur in the gum is also known as exostosis, a bone sequestra, or a bone spicule. It is a small, sliver-like piece of bone left behind after bone damage or bone loss. The types of possible fragments include tooth pieces, root tips, bone flakes, or remnants of a dental restoration. It may be floating or still attached to the jawbone. It may also poke through the gum or remain just under the surface of the gum tissue. Bone spurs in the gum tissue are most common in individuals who have undergone a more difficult or traumatic extraction. Conditions like spondylosis or osteoarthritis can also increase a patient’s risk of bone spurs.

How did I get a bone spur in my gums?

Bone spurs in the gums most often occur after a tooth extraction or other oral surgery, especially if it was a more difficult procedure. During the extraction, the dentist will use a curette or root tip pick to remove any remaining bone fragments. They will also irrigate the socket to clear away debris. While these practices remove most bone fragments, tiny pieces may still be left behind. Then, during the healing process, the body may reject the fragment and attempt to discard it, causing the bone spicule to migrate up and out of the jawbone and gums. Bone spurs usually appear in days following the extraction. But it can take several weeks or months to develop. Some bone spurs in the gums can even occur years later.

Is a bone spur in the gums a concern?

Often a bone spicule feels rough to the tongue, like sharp slivers, a ledge, or chips of bone. Depending on the location of the bone spur, it may cause some chronic pain or irritation. Fortunately, the condition is benign and often treatable.

Will a bone spur in gum tissue go away on its own?

The development of bone spurs is part of a natural healing process. In some cases, the body may break down the bone spur or work the bone fragment to a point where it falls out on its own (exfoliation). If the body does not discard the bone fragment, patients may simply give it more time or decide to undergo a minimally invasive procedure to remove the bone spur.

What is the treatment for a bone spur in the gums?

In short, the dentist removes the shard. In most cases, removal may only require a quick flick or tug of the offending piece with a dental instrument—no anesthetic required. If the bone spicule is larger, or still embedded in the gums or jawbone, some type of anesthetic and a more involved procedure and might be required.

If you find a bone spur in the gums after an extraction, you should not hesitate to ask for attention or help from your dentist. It is their obligation to provide the care and assistance you require during the site’s healing process. And once the bone spur has been removed you can expect pain reduction and healing to progress rapidly.

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