Dental Extractions
A dental extraction also known as pulling a tooth may be required if a tooth has sustained damage which cannot be restored, decay which caused the tooth to rot or perhaps serious gum disease has resulted in a tooth becoming loose. Wisdom teeth can cause discomfort if there is not room in the mouth where the tooth comes through and your dentist will remove it so that it does not become impacted against an existing tooth.
Your dentist will always try to save a tooth if possible but if restoration such as a dental crown or root canal treatment is not an option then the affected tooth will be removed.
Before commencing the extraction procedure your dentist injects local anaesthetic into the gum area around the tooth to be removed which will ensure the whole area of the
mouth becomes numb so that you do not feel any pain. The tooth socket which is where the tooth is located is made wider using specially designed forceps and the tooth can then be wiggled back and forth until it becomes so loose that it can be pulled away. Because of the anaesthetic used you will not really feel what is happening although you may hear a small noise.
Very occasionally if the root of the tooth cannot be reached it may be necessary to remove some of the bone before the tooth can be extracted. If this is the case your dentist will make a few small incisions into the gum to allow them to drill some of the material away.
After a tooth has been extracted there will be some bleeding but your dentist will give you a soft pad to absorb it and will ensure it has stopped before you leave the surgery. It is advisable not to eat or drink hot drinks after the tooth has been pulled as you may burn or bite the inside of your mouth. Always wait until the numbness caused by the anaesthetic has worn off. Your dentist will also request that you do not smoke or drink alcohol for 24 hours after an extraction as this could induce more blood loss and that you keep the mouth clean by brushing the teeth as normal.