Scary, you should really listen to your doctor, not the experiences of other people. Give it a few more days and then call your dentist, since you said the office staff is very concerned and has treated you well. However, I will say one thing. You often need to wait about 2-3 weeks for many tooth extractions to heal properly. Dry socket isn't that common, although it sounds as if you had a complicated extraction.   If you do have a dry socket, it's painful but treatable.

Thank you justxploring. I guess I am just being paranoid. My mom also said it will take some time to heal, but I think I freaked when I saw some of my jaw bone. lol.

I agree with justxploring.
A phone call to your dental office should take care of any questions.
I would think follow up questions are expected from a patient.

When I was in the Navy back in 1986, nearing the end of my 4 year contract, I went to the naval dentist for one last checkup, where he did remove a tooth and warned me about dry socket.

Well, being only 22 years old and still wet behind the ears, I laughed and walked out the door, lit a cigarette and smoked away like there was no tomorrow.

Guess what happened?..lol

About 2 days later, I was in so much pain that I nearly went into shock from the excruciating pain of dry socket. I ran down to the dentist where he fixed the problem.

If you smoke, then don't drag too hard, because it will suck out the natural healing properties within the hole, which is trying to heal itself.

If you drink liquids, don't drink sucking out of a straw, for it will do the same thing as smoking, when one is bad on the cigarette to get the smoke out.

Do not flush your mouth with extensive pressure. That will contribute to dry socket as well.

But by hearing what you've said so far, almost 9 days without pain, you must be doing something right. Just keep doing what you're doing...lol

Thank you Jap69 and pacattack. I don't smoke and I am avoiding drinking from a straw and I try to be gentle when I flush my mouth. I am beginning to believe that I need to just be patient and let my gums have time to heal themselves. Thank you all for the advice.

Check with your doctor's office and follow their recommendations. Good luck, hope you heal very soon.

Edit ..... dentist's office.    Coffee not kicked in fully! LOL

Thank you konane. I am going to continue to let things heal and if it doesn't get better I will be contacting them.

Trust me, If you had dry socket, you'd definitely know it. You wouldn't even have time to write a blog. You'd be making a bee line straight to the nearest dentist in excruciating pain.

Pac, I agree. I think I was just worrying myself after I saw some of my jaw bone.