Dental patients dread tooth extraction because they assume the procedure is painful. Also called exodontia, tooth removal entails pulling out a tooth from its jawbone socket. You will require an extraction if you suffer dental trauma, decay, or damage, and the damage to the tooth is too extensive for repair and restoration attempts. The assumption that tooth removal is excruciatingly painful is false, and your experience will depend on the general dentistry service you choose for the procedure.
At SoCal Dental of Valencia, we fondly consider exodontia a last resort after all attempts to save the tooth have failed. If you are a candidate for extraction, we will administer local anesthesia to make the procedure virtually painless before removing the tooth. Our general dentists will also make the atmosphere in the clinic comfortable to keep you relaxed throughout.
A Quick Glance at Tooth Extraction
An oral surgeon or general dentist performs Exodontia. Your general dentist first attempts to save the decayed or damaged tooth. Nevertheless, restorative options, such as dental crowns, dental fillings, and root canals, might not be enough to save the tooth. It is in these situations that your dental experts recommend tooth removal. Restorative solutions can be expensive. So, patients avoid these costs by opting to extract severely damaged teeth instead of trying to repair them.
Your general dentist can perform a simple extraction. However, in complex cases, they will refer you to an oral surgeon for removal. In cases where the damage to the tooth is due to facial trauma from an accident or injury, you will need an emergency tooth removal.
Tooth Removal or Extraction Reasons
Your dentist will perform an extraction if:
You Suffer Severe Damage
An extensive tooth decay or fracture that extends to the pulp and cannot be repaired through root canal therapy requires an extraction. Also, if you have had a root canal procedure before and it failed, trying it again could lead to the same outcome, making exodontia the best alternative. Additionally, if your tooth is broken below or under the gum margins, the best option is extraction. However, when the remaining section of the teeth is under the gums, you will require oral surgery for extraction. Normal removal only works for teeth that are visible through the mouth.
Another cause of severe tooth damage is advanced periodontal disease. If your gum disease has advanced and the infection has spread to the jawbone, the teeth begin to loosen due to the weak support structure. Removing the loose teeth in the affected areas of the jawbone is the best way to address the condition.
Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic issues, such as teeth misalignment, crowded teeth, and crooked teeth, can affect your jaw and lead to severe oral complications. Fortunately, an orthodontist can remove the ill-positioned teeth to create space for the rest of the teeth before the placement of braces to straighten the teeth.
Apart from creating space for teeth alignment, the orthodontist can extract nonfunctioning teeth in the crowded areas that could be the source of the misalignment.
You Have Extra Teeth
Some children develop more teeth than their jawbone can accommodate. When this happens, the excess teeth block others from erupting. In these situations, an extraction of the excess teeth is necessary to make space for other teeth to erupt.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a drug used to kill cancer cells in the body. Unfortunately, continued use of the drugs can lower your immunity, increasing the risk of oral infection. When a tooth develops an infection due to a weakened immune system, it is necessary to remove it to stop the spread of infection.
Organ Transplant
If you have donated or received an organ, the risk of developing a tooth infection is elevated because of the immunosuppressive drugs the physician prescribes after the procedure. If you have an infected tooth, tooth removal is necessary to prevent the infection from spreading.
Teeth That Are More Susceptible to Removal
You might require an exodontic procedure at one point in your life to prevent the advancement of an oral condition and for proper tooth alignment. The teeth that are commonly removed include:
- Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth and permanent teeth, such as the fangs, are the most commonly extracted. Also called the third molars, wisdom teeth erupt between the ages of 17 and 21. If the teeth are properly aligned and healthy, they can be beneficial to the mouth. Unfortunately, they are often unhealthy or misaligned, which is why dentists recommend extraction. Wisdom teeth removal prevents several problems, the most common being an impacted tooth, which is an erupted wisdom tooth that lacks room for growth. Other common complications associated with impacted teeth include:
- Bleeding gums
- Gum irritation or inflammation
- Jaw pain
- Foul breath
- Bone or gum tissue loss
Extracting the wisdom teeth prevents the following:
- Swelling and infection
- Teeth overcrowding
- Minimizes the risk of damage to surrounding teeth
- Improves your brushing and flossing experience
- Lowers the risk of cysts
- Discourages sinus issues
Before removal, your dentist must evaluate the teeth and confirm that they are misaligned and will cause problems.
- Permanent Teeth
Permanent teeth, particularly the canines, are another category of teeth that are commonly extracted. Often, the removal happens during orthodontic treatment to create space for the installation of braces or other orthodontic solutions.
Tooth Removal Techniques
In the first dental appointment, the dentist evaluates the affected teeth and determines the most appropriate extraction technique. The removal technique depends on the extent of the damage or infection. The two common removal techniques are:
Simple Extraction
Simple extraction is a technique your general dentist applies when the damaged tooth is visible through the mouth. Simple extractions involve few preparations. The dentist injects you with a local anesthetic to numb the extraction site. Once the area is numb, the dentist pulls out the tooth. You might not need a sedative or antianxiety medication as the procedure is simple and less invasive. Most simple extractions are done during orthodontic treatment to create space for the orthodontic devices.
Surgical Removal
If your dentist cannot see your tooth through the mouth or reach it because it is damaged, broken the gum line, or has not erupted, surgical extraction will be necessary. The procedure must be performed by an individual with special training, such as a general dentist or oral surgeon.
Surgical extraction is highly invasive and complex. You will need local anesthesia or conscious sedation to stay relaxed and comfortable. If you have a child with special needs, general anesthesia is the most appropriate. A typical extraction entails cutting open the gums and folding them to expose the tooth and then removing the tooth, and in some cases, the bone surrounding the tooth if it is damaged, and then unfolding the gum tissue and stitching it back over the extraction site.
Pre-Operation Instructions
Before undergoing a tooth extraction operation, your dental expert will provide you with a list of instructions to follow. The instructions include:
- You must keep your teeth and oral cavity clean before the operation. You can do this by flossing your teeth, then brushing them thoroughly before visiting the dental facility.
- If your child is under the legal age of 18, you or a guardian must accompany them to the dental clinic.
- Avoid tight clothing with a tight necktie or collar, as it will make you uncomfortable. Wear loose and comfortable clothes.
- Plan for a soft meal for the first one or two days after the operation
If you are on medication prescribed by a physician, do not stop the medication unless your oral surgeon recommends it after consulting with the prescribing doctor. If you are using medication that prevents clotting, you will be advised to pause it and resume after you have recovered from the surgery.
Most patients dread surgical tooth extraction, so it is common to have fear or anxiety due to the fear of the pain associated with the removal. However, in advanced dentistry, pain or discomfort is no longer a matter of concern. There are several sedatives you can use to stay calm and avoid pain throughout the procedure. The common sedation options are:
- Local anesthesia, like lidocaine or novocaine, which is administered directly to the veins to make the procedure virtually painless.
- Use of laughing gas or nitrous oxide
- Use of oral sedations, like the Valium pill
Laughing gas does not affect your motor skills, so you can drive yourself home after the extraction. However, when you opt for the other sedation options, it will take time before it wears off, and this could impair your driving. So, arrange for someone to transport you after the surgery. Avoid any meals six hours before the procedure.
Modern Tooth Removal
Even with the introduction of modern tooth extraction tools, such as dental lasers and electrosurgery, traditional tools, like scalpels and dental drills, are still utilized.
A dental laser relies on high-energy light beams or rays to make accurate incisions on the gums, while electrosurgery uses controlled heat to cut, offering more precision. Compared to traditional tooth-removal tools, modern tools are more precise, and the accuracy prevents damage to adjacent teeth and tissue. Furthermore, modern tooth extraction is less invasive, leading to less bleeding and pain and a shorter recovery period.
The downside of the modern procedures is that they are expensive to use, increasing the cost of treatment. The use of light beams or controlled heat to cut the gums produces the smell of burning flesh, which can scare patients. Lastly, modern tooth removal tools cannot be utilized in simple extraction, while the traditional ones can be applied in both surgical and simple extractions.
Tooth Removal Aftercare
Tooth removal, simple or surgical, causes bleeding. So, after the removal, the dentist will give you gauze or a roll to bite on for at least 45 minutes to compress the extraction site and encourage blood clotting. Once a clot forms, you can remove the gauze.
Do not be alarmed when you experience pain or notice swelling of facial tissue and cheeks. You can manage the swelling by placing an ice compress on the affected area of the face to minimize the inflammation. Apply the ice bag for around fifteen minutes and then rest to avoid a stiff or sore jaw. However, if the jaw becomes sore, you can apply a warm compress to relieve the effects.
When sleeping, your head must face upwards to alleviate pressure on the jaw, and keep your head propped up with an additional comfortable pillow.
Pain is common after surgery. So, your dentist will recommend taking over-the-counter pain medications to alleviate the pain. You should take the pain relievers shortly after the procedure so that the effects can kick in before the anesthesia wears off. Your dentist will give you a pain medication prescription to last you a few days.
Other Post-op instructions that can facilitate healing include the following:
- Rest for 24 hours following the surgery
- Avoid rinsing the mouth within 24 hours of the operation
- Maintain a soft diet, such as milk, pudding, and mashed potatoes, in the first few days after surgery.
- Wait for 8 hours after the surgery before brushing your teeth. And when you start brushing, do it gently and steer clear of the surgical area for the first three days.
- Rinse the socket or opening with warm saline water after 24 hours of the procedure and repeat this for five or more days. You should do this after meals or before going to sleep to wash away food debris that could be trapped in the socket.
- Steer clear of foods or beverages with extreme temperatures
- Avoid straws when drinking beverages
- Numbness in the extraction site will continue for up to eight hours post-op. During this time, avoid scratching, chewing, or pinching the numb area.
- Avoid smoking after the surgery because inhaling the smoke can dislodge the clot that has formed over the surgical site, resulting in bleeding. Smoking also causes dry mouth, which increases the presence of bacteria in the mouth, as there is no saliva to wash it away, increasing the risk of post-op infection in the extraction site.
- Avoid alcohol
- If you are on an antibiotic prescription, take the medication regularly as instructed. If you are a woman on birth control, use alternative measures when taking antibiotics, as they reduce birth control effectiveness.
- If your sinus was affected during surgery, do not blow your nose for a week
If you adhere to these post-op instructions, you should recover within a short duration.
Tooth Removal Recovery Time
Healing time after an extraction procedure hinges on multiple factors, such as the condition of the removed tooth and the extraction technique used. For simple extraction, your gums will be healed in two to three days, allowing you to resume your normal activities. However, recovery after surgical extraction can take from five days to one week. You can return to work after 48 or 72 hours, but the jawbone will take several weeks to recover.
If you want to replace the extracted tooth with a dental implant, you should wait for the jawbone to heal completely to reduce the risk of implant failure due to failed osseointegration.
Common Tooth Removal Complications
Tooth extraction has its benefits and disadvantages. If your dental expert recommends the treatment despite the risks, it means the pros outweigh the cons, making the procedure worth pursuing. Pre- and post-surgical instructions are crucial in minimizing or preventing the risks of complications. However, even when you adhere to the instructions, you might experience some complications. The common complications that might arise after removal are:
- Post-surgery infection can occur due to failure to take antibiotics as instructed
- Incomplete tooth removal, in which a section of the damaged tooth remains in the jawbone. If the risk of infection in the socket is high, the dentist will remove the remaining part. However, if the risk of infection is minimal and it is more risky to remove the remaining part, the dentist will leave the small piece in the extraction site.
- Excessive bleeding
- Nausea and vomiting, mostly due to taking pain relievers on an empty stomach. You should take small portions of soft foods or drinks before taking medication to minimize side effects.
- Accidental damage to teeth adjacent to the removal site. Your dentist can lower the risk by adopting modern tooth extraction tools.
- Nerve injury, especially during wisdom tooth extraction using a dental drill
- Broken jawbone due to pressure exerted on the jaw during tooth removal
- Removal of the anterior teeth can interfere with your appearance
- Sow jaw due to anesthesia or prolonged opening of the mouth that causes a strain
- Formation of a hole in the sinus area during the removal of the upper teeth
- Shifting of adjacent teeth towards the open socket if you do not replace the missing teeth
- Dry socket, which occurs when a clot cannot form over the extraction site or when a clot forms but is later dislodged due to smoking or disturbance of the socket after clotting.
Several complications can happen if you fail to replace the extracted teeth. Unless you have removed the wisdom tooth, the dentist will encourage you to replace it with a dental implant and a prosthesis of your choice.
Find a Reputable General Dentistry Service Near Me
One of the most feared dental procedures is tooth extraction, especially surgical extraction. Patients associate the treatment with pain and bleeding, which discourages many from visiting the dentist. However, the assumption that exodontia is painful is false. Modern tooth extraction is less painful and involves minimal bleeding. Modern tools have significantly reduced the complications and risks linked to tooth extraction. However, your choice of a general dentist will determine your experience.
At SoCal Dental of Valencia, we have experienced tooth extraction specialists, such as general dentists and oral surgeons, who utilize laser technology and electrosurgery for successful surgical tooth extractions. Call us at 661-554-4545 to discuss tooth extraction and expectations