At Parklands Dental Practice, we try to save a patient’s natural tooth, but there are times that circumstances don’t permit saving the tooth and extraction is the only viable option.
Under what circumstances does a dentist recommend extraction?
Certain conditions requiring extraction include:
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Advanced dental pulp infections
- Overcrowding
- Breaking a tooth off below the gum line
What does the dentist do during a tooth extraction?
First, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth to keep you comfortable during the procedure. If the tooth has not broken off below the gum line, the dentist will gently grasp the tooth with forceps and ensure it is loose enough to remove. If the tooth has broken off below the gum line, your dentist will make a small surgical incision so the remaining part of the tooth can be removed.
For an impacted wisdom tooth, the surgical procedure is more complicated but follows the same pattern as extracting other teeth. After the extraction, your dentist cleans and disinfects the area and sutures it closed.
Will it hurt after the tooth comes out?
You may feel some tenderness and soreness around the sutures for a few days. Over-the-counter medications might be recommended to address any discomfort. Your dentist may prescribe painkillers and antibiotics for a wisdom tooth extraction.
Do I need to do anything special after the extraction?
Avoid eating for a few hours after the extraction until the numbness wears off. Do not smoke or drink through a straw or spit when brushing your teeth for 3-4 days after the extraction. Doing any of these things can dislodge the blood clot that forms in the extraction area causing a condition called dry socket which exposes the bone.
Try to keep your head raised for the first 24 hours after extraction and avoid strenuous exercise.
Follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions, and you will be fully recovered in 1-2 weeks. More specialised procedures are normally referred to an oral surgery specialist that works nearby.
If you would like to find out more about this treatment Contact us on 02920 889 305
