Tooth Extraction

Extracting a tooth is something all dentists will try to avoid if possible.

Saving your natural tooth is important, but sometimes it’s impossible.

What sorts of conditions may cause the dentist to recommend a tooth extraction?

There are several reasons an extraction may be necessary:

• Impacted wisdom tooth
• Severe decay into the nerve
• Serious dental pulp infections
• Overcrowding
• Accident
• Breaking a tooth below the gum line
• Failed root canal treatment

How does the dentist take out my tooth?

During a simple extraction, the dentist first numbs the area with a local anaesthetic, then wiggles the tooth free from the ligaments holding it in place. The dentist may have to cut the tooth in half or into smaller pieces to remove it.

What other sorts of extraction techniques could the dentist use?

For complicated extractions (for example, an impacted wisdom tooth or a tooth that broke off below the gum line), the dentist may need to use more invasive techniques, such as making a small incision in the gum line to extract the tooth.

What happens after the extraction?

You should only experience minor discomfort once the anaesthetic wears off and this can be relieved with the use of over-the-counter medications. You need to avoid smoking or spitting for a few days as you do not want to dislodge the clot that will form at the extraction site before it fully heals. If the clot doesn’t cover the site during the healing process, you could expose the bone underneath to possible infection.

For more information regarding this treatment: