Dental Extraction

What is Dental Extraction 

Dental extraction is the removal (extraction) of a tooth. You may need to have this procedure if:

  • You have tooth decay.
  • You have gum disease.
  • You have an infection (abscess).
  • Room needs to be made for other teeth to grow in or to be lined up properly.
  • Baby teeth are stopping your adult teeth from coming to the surface (erupting).
  • You have a tooth fracture or fractures that cannot be fixed.
  • You are going to get radiation to your head and neck.

The type and length of procedure that you have depends on:

  • Why you are having a tooth removed.
  • Where the tooth is located that is being removed.

The procedure may be:

  • A simple extraction. This is done if you can see the tooth in your mouth and it is above the gumline.
  • A surgical extraction. This is done if the tooth has not come into the mouth or if the tooth is broken off below the gumline.

What happens before the procedure?

  • Ask your doctor about:
    • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is important if you take diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
    • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood.Do nottake these medicines before your procedure if your doctor tells you not to.
  • Take medicines only as told by your doctor. This includes antibiotic medicines.
  • Ask your doctor if it is okay to eat or drink before your procedure.
  • Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.
  • If you go home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.

What happens during the procedure?

  • You may be given one or more of these:
    • A medicine that helps you relax (sedative).
    • A medicine that numbs the area (local anesthetic).
    • A medicine that makes you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
  • If you are having a simple extraction:
    • Your dentist will loosen the tooth. This is done with a tool called an elevator.
    • Your dentist will grab the tooth and remove it from the socket. This is done with a tool called forceps.
    • The open socket will be cleaned.
    • Gauze will be placed in the socket. This helps with bleeding.
  • If you are having a surgical extraction:
    • Your dentist will make a cut (incision) in the gum.
    • Some of the bone around the tooth may need to be removed.
    • The tooth will be removed.
    • Stitches (sutures) may be needed to close the area.

The procedure may vary among doctors and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

  • You may have gauze in your mouth. If told by your doctor, gently press on the gauze for as long as one hour after the procedure.
  • A blood clot should start to form over the open socket. This is normal. Do nottouch the area, and do notrinse it.
  • You may be given medicines to help with:
    • Pain.
    • Healing.

Tell a health care provider about:

  • Any allergies you have.
  • All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
  • Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
  • Any blood disorders you have.
  • Any surgeries you have had.
  • Any medical conditions you have.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

  • Damage to surrounding teeth, nerves, tissues, or structures.
  • The blood clot does not form or stay in place where the tooth was removed. This causes the bones and nerves underneath to be exposed (dry socket). This can delay healing.
  • Incomplete extraction of roots.
  • Jawbone injury, pain, or weakness.

Care After Dental Extraction

These instructions give you information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your doctor may also give you more specific instructions. Call your doctor if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

Follow these instructions at home:

Lifestyle

  • Protect the area where your tooth was removed. Do this even if you do not have any pain.
  • Do notsmoke, do notspit, and do notdrink through a straw until your doctor says it is okay.
  • Eat soft foods as told by your doctor. Avoid hot drinks and spicy foods until your gum has healed.

Cut (Incision) Care

  • Follow instructions from your doctor about:
    • How to take care of the cut that was made in your gum.
    • When and how to change gauze.
    • When and how to take gauze out of your mouth.
    • Having your stitches (sutures) removed.
  • Do notchew on the gauze.
  • If your gum is bleeding a lot, fold a clean piece of gauze, place it on the bleeding gum, and bite on it as told by your doctor.

General instructions

  • Take medicines only as told by your doctor.
  • Do notrinse your mouth until your doctor says it is okay. Once you can rinse your mouth, it is important to rinse very gently.
    • You may rinse your mouth with warm salt water once your doctor says it is okay. You can make a salt rinse by mixing one teaspoon of salt in two cups of warm water. Do this as told by your doctor.
  • Do notbrush or floss near where your tooth was removed until your doctor says it is okay. You may brush your other teeth.
  • If directed, apply ice to your cheek on the side of your mouth where your tooth was removed:
    • Put ice in a plastic bag.
    • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
    • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

  • Your medicine is not helping your pain.
  • You have a fever and you also have any of these:
    • A sick feeling in your stomach (nausea).
    • Throwing up (vomiting).
    • Chills.
  • You have a very bad cough.
  • You are short of breath.

Get help right away if:

  • You have a lot of bleeding that does not stop.
  • You have more puffiness (swelling).
  • You have very bad pain.
  • You have fluid, blood, or pus coming from the gum where your tooth was removed.
  • You have trouble swallowing.
  • You cannot open your mouth.
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