DENTAL EXTRACTIONS
WHAT IS A DENTAL EXTRACTION?
A dental extractions the removal of a tooth from the dental arch
WHY MIGHT I NEED A DENTAL EXTRACTION?
You may need a dental extraction if a tooth is causing pain and cannot be saved through filling the tooth or treating the tooth with root canal treatment
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If a tooth is not causing pain but x-ray show that a broken or decayed tooth is causing infection, a dental extraction may be recommended by your dentist
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Gum disease may cause teeth to become loose over time. In some cases, if the tooth is very loose a dental extraction may also be suggested by your dentist
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Dental extractions are also carried out for patients needing orthodontic treatment, in order to make space to move the remaining teeth and straighten them with orthodontic appliances
HOW WILL MY TOOTH BE EXTRACTED?
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Before I remove your tooth, I will apply numbing injections in the gums around your tooth. I will then leave this for 5 minutes for the anaesthetic to work.
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I will check that the anaesthetic has worked by pressing around the gums using a dental probe. At this point, you will feel pressure but you should not feel pain. If you feel pain, I will leave more time for the anaesthetic to work or apply more anaesthetic depending on what you can feel.
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Your treatment will only start when you are happy that you are numb.
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Once your tooth has been removed, the extraction socket will be cleaned out and flushed with sterile water.
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A small cotton gauze will be placed over the extraction socket and you will be asked to bite on this for 5 minutes to apply pressure to the site. This will be removed before you leave the practice
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SIMPLE AND SURGICAL DENTAL EXTRACTION?​
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A simple dental extraction is one in which I will apply some pressure to the tooth and push the tooth out using a variety of instruments.
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A surgical dental extraction is one in which a small opening is made in the gums around the tooth. Space is then made around the tooth using a surgical drill and the tooth is divided into several pieces. These pieces are then pushed out individually. The opening in the gum is then closed with dissolvable stitches. These stitches take approximately 10 - 14 days to dissolve after the procedure.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF A DENTAL EXTRACTION?
You may experience pain, swelling and bruising after a dental extraction. These are usually short term and resolve within 10 - 14 days after your dental extraction.
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Up to 1 in 3 patients experience an infection of a dental extraction socket. This usually occurs 5 days after the dental extraction. During your telephone review, I will discuss your symptoms and if needed arrange a clinic review.
WHAT WILL MY RECOVERY TIME BE AFTER MY DENTAL EXTRACTION?
You may experience pain, swelling and bruising after your dental extraction
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Pain usually worsens over the first 3 days after surgery. This may take up to a further 10 days to stop, with daily gradual improvements. Provided that you have no allergies, intolerances or reasons why you cannot take them, the following painkillers are advised:
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Paracetamol 1g every 6 hours for 7 days
Ibuprofen 400mg every 8 hours for 7 days
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I will confirm with you which are best in your case.
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Swelling usually worsens over the first 3 days after swelling. This may take up to a further 10 days to disappear, with daily gradual improvements. You may use an ice-pack applied to the outside of the face for 15 minutes in the morning and in the evening to help to reduce the swelling.
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Bruising after a dental extraction is less common. This will usually resolve with any swelling that you may experience.
WHAT CAN I EAT AFTER MY DENTAL EXTRACTION?
Immediately after your surgery while you are still numb, avoid hot food and drink to prevent burning yourself without realising.
Once the local anaesthetic has worn off, you will find a soft diet for the first 3 days after surgery more comfortable. If you feel that you can return to a normal diet you may do so.
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Avoid small grains and pieces that may get caught in the extraction socket for 5 days after your surgery.
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Avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours after your surgery.
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Avoid smoking for at least 72 hours after your surgery - the longer you are able to stop smoking the lower the chances of infection.
CAN I BRUSH MY TEETH AFTER MY DENTAL EXTRACTION?
You should return to toothbrushing as soon as possible after your dental extraction. Ideally you should start on the same evening as your dental extraction.
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You should not mouthwash with saltwater or mouth wash for the first 48 hours after your surgery. After this, when using rinsing your mouth, ensure that it is a gentle rinse only for the following 5 days.
DO I NEED A REVIEW AFTER MY DENTAL EXTRACTION?
Usually you will not need a review after your dental extraction. However, depending on your surgery I will arrange a telephone review at least 5 days after surgery.