Our dentist talks extractions; what you need to know

Do you need to have a tooth extracted?

At Northern Beaches Dental, our dentist Mackay will always aim to make your visit with us as pleasant as possible, and if you need a tooth extraction, we will endeavour to make it straightforward.

Here, our dentist Mackay discusses what is involved in dental extractions.

Why a dental extraction might be needed?

As our dentist Mackay will tell you, extractions are usually the last resort concerning tooth decay.

We will usually aim to restore a tooth with a filling or crown, but if the decay is extensive or the tooth is damaged beyond repair, we will remove it. You may also need an extraction if you have overcrowded teeth and are about to undertake orthodontic work or if we detect that there is an issue with your wisdom teeth.

Different types of extraction

What you may not know is that there are two different types of dental extraction; simple and surgical.

With a simple extraction, the tooth is simply loosened with a tool known as an elevator and removed from the jaw after an anaesthetic has been applied.

With surgical extraction, the tooth may be degenerated or broken and our team will need to make surgical incisions to remove it.

Procedure

When you come to our team at Northern Beaches Dental for an extraction, we will always aim to make you feel comfortable by applying a local anaesthetic before the procedure; if you are nervous, we can offer sedative options to help you relax.

The extraction may be between 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity and the position of the tooth. We may need to apply stitches if the work was extensive, but this will also be performed under local anaesthetic.

Aftercare

Once your tooth has been extracted, the sensation around the extraction site is likely to feel sore and bruised for a few days; this is entirely normal.

You should avoid brushing near the site until the swelling recedes, but you can keep it clean using salt water rinses. If you have stitches, take extra care when eating, and stick to eating softer foods until you feel physically able to consume harder ones.

Also, keep an eye out for infection; prolonged discomfort, abnormal swelling, a blue tint to the gum or fever are all indicators of this. Should you have these symptoms, contact our team immediately.

Without such issues, the extraction site will usually heal on its own within two weeks.

Prevention

In some instances, such as orthodontics, extractions cannot be prevented. Similarly, if your wisdom teeth have been removed, it would be very odd if you needed to have the same teeth extracted again!

With decay, however, you can prevent further extractions by attending dental checkups regularly, using high-fluoride toothpaste at home and cutting back on sugary foods. You may also want to book yourself in for annual checkups with our hygienist; after all, we want your teeth to stay where they need to be: in your mouth!

DISCLAIMER

All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.