Tooth Extractions Treatment

In the past people often had teeth extracted due to dental problems. Luckily now days the need of extraction is less frequently due to the advances in modern dentistry as well as the understanding that retention of teeth is better than extraction.

However, there are times where extraction n is the best treatment alternative.

At MVDC we aim to achieve the best outcome over the long term, while giving you the best possible function and appearance.

Tooth Extractions in Adelaide

Reason for Extraction

  • Extensive damage to a tooth – so badly decayed or broken that restoring it is no longer possible.
  • Periodontal disease – Bone and gum infection that has caused teeth to become loose in its socket.
  • To improve appearance – as part of orthodontic treatment (recommended by your orthodontist)
  • Teeth with no function –  a tooth without partner to grind against when chewing may be better removed.
  • Vertical root cracks – root cracks are difficult to restore and if repair is not possible, extraction may be necessary.
  • Impacted Wisdom teeth or difficult to access wisdom teeth

Deciding to have a tooth removed

Removal of a tooth is only done after careful and thorough professional consideration every effort is done to preserve teeth as they function better than artificial teeth.

In an attempt to save your tooth our dentist might offer a root canal treatment. However, it is not always suitable in every case and we will only recommend it, if successful treatment is likely.

Consequences of Having an Extraction

A missing tooth causes nearby teeth to move out of their normal position and tilt into the gap, (just like removing a big thick book from a bookcase). This often makes eating, chewing and biting difficult. As teeth move it also becomes harder to clean tilted teeth resulting in decay and gum disease causing long term loss of more teeth. To prevent neighbouring teeth from moving into the gap a plate, bridge or a dental implant will be recommended valuating case by case.

You may have been looking for wisdom teeth extractions

Frequently asked questions about Tooth Extractions

Once the local anaesthetic wears off in your mouth, you might have some slight discomfort around the extraction site. Most of the time, the dentist will instruct you to take over-the-counter pain relievers for pain, or they will prescribe you pain medication, if needed.

Take the medications as instructed and let the dentist know if you start to experience any extensive discomfort. Areas of where larger teeth are, may take a little longer to heal due to a larger extraction site. Sometimes the dentist may place sutures to close the tissue around the site, but in most cases that is not needed. As long as there is proper hygiene and follow-up care the tissue should heal up properly.

Generally, the most bleeding will occur immediately after the extraction, which is why the dentist will place gauze over area for you to bite down on to apply pressure and help stop the bleeding.

The heaviest bleeding subsides quickly. In some cases, the extraction site may ooze a little on and off for 12 to 24 hours after the extraction. This is completely normal and no cause for alarm. The extraction site must clot properly to stop the bleeding.

If you look in your mouth, you should see a darker area around tissue where tooth was. The material/clot that generates in your gum tissue is the body’s natural way of stopping the bleeding and promoting the healing process.

If you have any concerns after your extraction, please seek professional help.

The healing time can vary depending on which tooth was pulled and the size or condition of it. For example, a small tooth in the front has a smaller root system than one of your molars does. Nutrition also plays an important role in the healing process.

Keeping your mouth clean from food debris around the extraction site is very important as well as not smoking. Smoking can cause complications after surgery as well as affecting the tissue health and bone structure.

The initial healing period generally lasts about one to two weeks which the tissue will start to close up and heal over the site. It does take longer, however, for your gums and bone to fully return to normal. By the third or fourth week after the extraction, the socket site should be mostly healed.

You may see or feel a slight indentation still, but the site should be less tender. At eight to ten weeks, about two-thirds of the bone should be restored in the area. At four months, the socket should be fully restored with new bone.

After the extraction, carefully follow your dentist’s recommendations and instructions to avoid potential problems.

Most extraction sites heal just fine without further treatment, but occasionally, there can be complications.

If you experience any of the symptoms below, then you should reach out to your dentist and have him / her check the area.

  • Pain and discomfort beyond the first few days of healing
  • Severe swelling beyond 48 hours after the extraction
  • Nausea or vomiting, fever in the face, neck, or body
  • Bleeding excessively, mouth filling with blood

The biggest risk after an extraction is the development of an infection, but other issues like a dry socket can also occur which will prevent proper healing if left untreated. With any symptom, it is best to reach out to your dentist for advice. Patients with history of smoking are at higher risk of dry socket, therefore we strongly recommend to cease smoking for at least 48 hours after the extraction.

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