Extractions
Our dentists always attempt to save a tooth before they recommend pulling it out. In certain situations, extracting teeth can be the healthiest solution for an oral health issue.
Tooth Removal with a Purpose
- Tooth infection
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Overcrowded teeth
- Damage from trauma
- Wisdom tooth removal
What Happens Before Tooth Extraction?
We always start with X-rays and an examination to plan the best treatment for each patient. If we are able to save the tooth with another option, we will outline alternative treatments and give you the information you need to make a decision. We’ll happily answer your questions about the process and your options, like implants, to fill the gap left by the extraction.
During our consultation, we’ll ask you about your overall health and medical history. We need to know if you are currently being treated for a medical condition or take any medications (including over the counter, supplements and vitamins). This information helps us ensure that the procedure is safe for you.
Based on the information we give you in our consultation, we advise how much time you should plan to recover, so you can make the necessary arrangements with work, babysitters, and other appointments.
The Tooth Extraction Process
Patient comfort always comes first. To ensure you don’t feel pain, we use local or intravenous anaesthesia (or a combination of these) depending on how we plan to pull the tooth.
Extractions for visible teeth are generally straightforward. Impacted teeth, those that are unable to erupt because there is no room or they’re growing in the wrong direction, require surgery.
Simple Tooth Extraction
We offer you local anaesthesia which prevents the feeling of pain, though you will feel some pressure. If needed, our dentist will loosen the tooth with a tool called an elevator, then use forceps to pull the tooth cleanly out of the mouth.
Surgical Tooth Extraction
Patients are given local anaesthesia and intravenous sedation, keeping them unconscious throughout the procedure. In this treatment, we cut into the gum tissues to remove the impacted teeth. Depending on a tooth’s size, shape, and orientation, we may have to cut the tooth into pieces before we take it out. Once removed, we close the incision using dissolving stitches.
Wisdom Teeth Extractions
- Wisdom teeth typically come through between the ages of 17 and 25.
- Sometimes there may not be room in your mouth and wisdom teeth become impacted. They may be justified for removal if they are causing a risk of dental decay, gum disease, or other infections.
- The best thing to do is to visit our dental practice for an assessment and advice.
- We may take an X-ray of your mouth to see how (or if) your wisdom teeth are coming through. From what we see on the X-ray, we can decide whether they need to be removed, and how challenging it may be. Wisdom tooth extractions can also be done using conscious sedation, making the experience more comfortable for the patient.
Recovering After a Tooth Extraction
- For the first 24 hours, avoid eating hot food, don't smoke, don't drink any alcohol and try not to disturb any blood clot which might have formed.
- Don't rinse your mouth for 24 hours after the extraction. After that, rinse gently with warm salty water (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water is enough).
- Brush your teeth as normal to keep your mouth clean.
- You may feel some small pieces of bone work their way out of the socket. Don't worry, this is perfectly normal.
- Rest and relax so you can heal.
- There may be some swelling and a bit of discomfort in the first two to three days. If you need to, take some ordinary painkillers. Aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol will be fine.
- If you feel pain a few days after the tooth has been removed, it might be where the blood clot has broken down, leaving an empty hole in the gum. This is called a dry socket and needs to be looked at by one of our dentists. Give us a call; we’ll have you come in so we can pack the wound to ease your discomfort.
If You Are Bleeding Following an Extraction
Place gauze onto the area where the tooth has been removed. If you do not have gauze, a clean cloth handkerchief will do just as well (but do not use paper tissue).
- Roll the gauze into a small firm pad large enough to fit over the gap (probably around 1cm by 3cm).
- Sit up and gently clear away any blood clots around the gap using the gauze or hanky.
- Put a clean pad over the gap (from tongue side to cheek side) and bite down on it firmly for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Take the pad off and check whether the bleeding has stopped. If not, apply a fresh pad and contact your dentist.
