Treatments - Extraction

Extraction (removal) of tooth may be required due to extensive decay, impaction or for cosmetic or orthodontic reasons. If done under properly administered anaesthesia , it may not pain at all. Impacted or awkwardly placed teeth may require surgical removal (done usually by a specialist).
Generally, your dentist will try to save a decayed or broken tooth by filling, crown (cap) or some other treatment. But sometimes, the tooth is too damaged to be repaired and then it has to be removed.

The causes for removal of teeth are:

• Grossly decayed tooth
• Broken tooth which cannot be saved
• Teeth which have lost their supporting bone, e.g. in severe advanced periodontitis.
• Awkwardly placed wisdom tooth which is painful or decayed and does not have enough space in the jaw to come out.
• Teeth in the line of fracture of jaw.
• Extra teeth that hamper the eruption of normal teeth
• For orthodontic (braces) purpose
• People receiving radiation to the head and neck may need to have teeth in the field of radiation extracted
• Infected teeth in medically compromised patients

Upper front tooth removed due to extensive decay
Extraction of tooth is generally done under local anaesthesia to numb the tooth and the areas surrounding it. Sometimes, it may be necessary to employ general anaesthesia if the patient is apprehensive or many teeth are required to be removed in a single visit or a small child with severely decayed teeth who wouldn’t sit in the chair.

Care to be taken after tooth removal:

• After tooth removal, the length of time you experience numbness varies, depending on the type of anesthetic you've received. While your mouth is numb, be careful not to bite your cheek, lip or tongue. The numbness should subside within a few hours. If it doesn't subside, contact your dentist.
• Remove the gauze/cotton pack placed on the extraction site after an hour’s time or as directed by your dentist. Apply cold compresses to the face. An ice bag or cold, moist cloth can be used periodically. The dentist may give you specific instructions on how long and how often to use a cold compress.
• Do not suck on the wound or touch with your tongue or finger and avoid rinsing your mouth too vigorously. These activities may remove the clot of blood formed which is essential for proper healing of the wound.
• Do not smoke for the next 24 hours as this will delay healing.
• Drink lots of liquids and eat soft, cold and nutritious foods. Avoid alcoholic beverages and hard to chew food items. Begin eating solid foods the next day or as soon as you feel comfortable to chew. For about 2-3 days, try to chew food on the side opposite the extraction site.
• You can start rinsing your mouth gently with warm salt water (one teaspoon salt in half a glass of warm water) after 24 hours of extraction. Rinsing should be done 3-4 times a day and after every meal to keep food particles out of the extraction site.
• Brush twice daily as usual but avoid brushing on the extraction site for a few days.
• Take the prescribed medication as directed by your dentist. These may be given to control pain and prevent infection. If you have prolonged or severe pain, swelling, bleeding or fever, call your dentist immediately.