Extractions

woman with toothache

About the treatment

You and your dentist may determine that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired, whereas other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health including sensitivity and mobile teeth.

To avoid these complications, in most cases, your dentist will discuss alternatives to extractions as well as replacement of the extracted tooth. It is important that you also ask as many questions as you wish. The most common and advised replacement option is a dental implant, which is normally inserted into the same position as the missing tooth/teeth and fixed in place. Next is a bridge, which is cemented to the tooth/teeth either side of the resultant gap. Lastly, is a denture, which is a removable prosthesis that is placed in the mouth to cover the gap and has to be removed daily.

The Process

At the time of extraction, the doctor will need to numb your tooth, jawbone and gums that surround the area with a local anaesthetic. During the extraction process you will feel a lot of pressure. This is from the process of firmly rocking the tooth in order to widen the socket for removal. You feel the pressure without pain as the anaesthetic has numbed the nerves stopping the transference of pain, yet the nerves that transmit pressure are not profoundly affected. If you do feel pain at any time during the extraction please let us know right away.

Replacement Options

Once the teeth have been removed, and the infection cleared, the gap can be replaced in a variety of ways. An immediate denture (removable) or ‘sticky bridge’ (fixed) can be placed in the gap so no patient ever needs to leave the practice with a gap! Long term, a range of dentures, bridges, and implants will be discussed with you.

After Extraction Home Care