Tooth Extractions

What is tooth extraction?

If your tooth is damaged or decayed and can’t be repaired with a filling or crown first, your dentist may decide to extract (remove) the tooth as a last resort.
When your tooth can’t be repaired, tooth extraction may be the best option for you. However your dentist will talk through your options with you during your consultation. If you think you might need a tooth extracted, please contact Oakwood Family Dental Clinic and book an appointment.

Why are teeth Extraction?

There are lots of reasons why you might need to have a tooth extraction. For example, if you have:

• An extraction of tooth that is loose and easy to come out
• Irreparable tooth damage due to severe decay
• A viable solution to periodontal disease for ex. Gum disease, periodontal ligaments, alveolar bone
• A broken tooth that can’t be repaired
• Tooth cannot be saved by root canal treatment, extraction is inevitable.
• An abscess (a collection of pus) on your gums or around your teeth
• Tooth is too decayed or damaged to be repaired with a filling or crown.
• Impacted wisdom teeth

What is the procedure for a tooth extraction?

Your tooth extraction will either be simple or surgical, depending on whether your tooth is visible or impacted.

Simple Extraction

This is performed on a tooth that can visibly be seen in the mouth. General dentists commonly perform simple extractions. In a simple extraction, you will receive a local anesthetic, which numbs the area around your tooth so you’ll feel only pressure, not pain, during the procedure. The dentist then uses an instrument called an elevator to loosen the tooth and forceps to remove it.

Surgical Extraction

You will likely receive both local anesthesia and intravenous anesthesia, the latter of which makes you calm and relaxed. You may also receive general anesthesia, depending on any medical conditions. With general anesthesia, you will remain unconscious during the procedure.
This is a more complex procedure, which is used if a tooth may have broken off at the gum line or is unerupted in the mouth or if the tooth is impacted. Oral maxillofacial surgeons usually perform this procedure, though general dentists may also perform disimpaction. A small surgical incisionis made into your gum or gingiva to surgically remove the broken tooth or impacted wisdom tooth. It may become necessary to remove some of the bone surgically around the tooth after reflecting flap or to cut the tooth in half in order to extract it.

Is Dental Extraction Painful?

In modern dentistry due to certain best local anesthetic drugs & effective premedications dental extractions has become painless & fear less procedure especially if done by an oral surgeon.

What are the risks of a tooth extraction?

There are a few risks for undergoing a tooth extraction; however, if your dentist recommends the procedure, the benefits likely outweigh the small chance of complications.

Risks includ during the tooth extraction.
1. Bleeding: Increased bleeding is common after the extraction treatment may be bleeding longer than 12 hours. Avoid excessive spitting during this time as it will lead to dislodge of clot in the socket.
2. Pain management: Pain after extraction is unavoidable. However, our dentist will prescribe antibiotics to mitigate the pain and prevent infection. However, if you still have pain that is not bearable you should contact our dentist regarding this.
3. Swelling: Swelling of your cheeks usually improves in two or three days. You can use an ice pack for the first few days followed by the warm pack later as directed by the dentist
4. Chest pain and shortness of breath.
Contact Oakwood Family Dental if you experience any of these symptoms.

What to do after Tooth Extraction?

• Strictly follow the instruction given by the dentist.
• Try to get some rest after Tooth Extraction. You may feel great but don’t exercise or do too much activity for at least 24 hours. When resting, keep your head in a slightly upright position on the pillow.
•Keep the gauze piece in the mouth and keep on biting constantly at least for one hour.
•Wait until the effect of anesthesia wears off before eating anything solid.
• Take medicines regularly. it can be dangerous to stop medication without dentists knowledge.
• Placing an ice pack or a towel-wrapped bag of ice on the area for 10–20 minutes at a time may help dull pain.
• When sleeping, use extra pillows to elevate the head. Lying too flat may allow blood to pool in the head and prolong healing time.

What no to do after Tooth Extraction?

• Don’t spit at least for 24 hours as this may dislodge the clot leading to the dry socket.
•Do not use straws. Using a straw places a lot of pressure on the healing wound, which can easily dislodge the blood clot.
• Don’t Smoke for 48 hours as this may delay the healing process.
• Don’t eat any hot hot thing as this may cause swelling.
•Take your medicines as prescribed by your dentist: Don’t skip the medicines.