When is a tooth extraction necessary?
At Kamran Rasul, we will do our best to keep your natural teeth where possible. However, there may be some instances where a tooth needs to be extracted.
A tooth extraction is necessary in some of the following scenarios:
A knocked out or dislodged tooth
Teeth are frequently dislodged or lost due to trauma. A knocked out tooth is where a tooth has been removed from its socket entirely, and you won’t likely need an extraction unless some parts of the tooth remain in place. A dislodged tooth can also occur due to trauma. This is where the tooth has not fully been removed from the socket. We often refer to this as a luxated tooth. In some cases, a luxated tooth can be stabilised, but we may need to extract the whole tooth if the damage is severe.
Impacted tooth
An impacted tooth is where the tooth cannot fully push through the gums and causes pain or discomfort.
Severe gum disease or decay
Periodontal disease is a serious issue and sometimes the tooth involved cannot be saved. In these cases, an extraction may be necessary.
Overcrowded teeth
Overcrowding in teeth is commonly picked up on during childhood when molars erupt, or adolescence once adult teeth come through. In adulthood, the eruption of wisdom teeth can also shift teeth and cause overcrowding. Overcrowded teeth can happen for several reasons, from genetics to habits such as thumb-sucking during infancy.
Overcrowding essentially occurs when the number (or size) of teeth does not match the size of the jaw. With overcrowding, we may need to extract teeth due to the resulting misalignment and so that other corrective orthodontic treatments such as braces can work effectively.
How a tooth extraction is performed
Before we extract a tooth, we need to check the extraction is the best course of action for you and your dental health. To do this, we will take the following steps:
1. Appointment & Examination
Before any extraction can happen, we will need to thoroughly examine and assess your tooth and whether the extraction is necessary. This may involve x-rays being taken so we can see the inside of your tooth and the bones surrounding it.
2. Local Anaesthetic
If an extraction is necessary, we will give a local anaesthetic to numb the surrounding areas. If there are more complex needs surrounding the procedure, you may be offered an appointment at a later date with sedation or general anaesthetic.
3. Extraction
For a simple extraction, the procedure should last around 20 – 40 minutes. If there are complications, this could take longer.
4. Aftercare
Sometimes, we may need to use stitches to close the opening following an extraction. Where possible, these will be dissolvable so you won’t have to return to us for removal.
Does a tooth extraction hurt?
A tooth extraction should not be painful, as we use local anaesthetic to numb the area surrounding the extraction. This involves injecting a small amount of anaesthetic into the gum near the extraction site, numbing any pain. We will wait and check the area is numb before continuing with the procedure.
We understand that visiting the dentist to have a tooth taken out can be a stressful experience, and that some patients will be very uncomfortable during the procedure. If you are especially nervous about the appointment, please let us know beforehand. We do offer sedative options where required. Do keep in mind that after any form of sedation, you will need another person to drive you to and from the surgery – as well as take care of any dependants, or help you make any important decisions – for at least 24 hours.
What is the aftercare for a tooth extraction?
Following a tooth extraction, we will give specific advice on how to best care for your tooth to help promote healing. Our general aftercare tips are:
Some bleeding is normal. We will give you gauze to help with the first stages of clotting after the extraction. This is an important part of the healing process.
Avoid smoking. This can disrupt the natural healing process and cause infection.
Avoid eating certain foods. Sticking to soft food for the first few days will help your tooth and gums recover. Any foods that can dislodge the development of the clotting can disrupt healing.
Treat pain or swelling with ice packs and over the counter analgesics (pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen). Some pain or swelling after an extraction is normal, but lasting issues can be of concern.
How to replace an extracted tooth
If you do have a tooth extracted, it’s natural to wonder what comes next. Once a tooth is removed, the remaining teeth will naturally shift over time. This happens because of the lack of structure within the mouth that was previously holding other teeth in place naturally. Teeth will gradually shift towards any open space that becomes available, whether this is due to a tooth being knocked out or an extraction.
If your teeth move to the extent they tilt into the gap, this can also cause changes to the rest of your facial structure. This happens due to malocclusion – which is when your bite doesn’t align properly. Issues such as TMJ can also arise, as well as bone loss within the jaw surrounding the missing tooth. Many people underestimate the impact a missing tooth can have on your overall appearance, so booking in to have an extracted tooth replaced is important.
There are a few ways to replace an extracted tooth:
Dental Implant · Dental Bridges · Partial Denture
If you have issues after tooth extraction…
Some serious complications are rare, but they can happen. If you have any of the following symptoms, do not hesitate to get in touch with your dentist or call 111 for advice:
Fever and swelling, suggesting an infection
Worsening pain that is continuous
Heavy bleeding that continues for more than a few hours
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