Dentists in Derby, Derbyshire 44 Main Street, Etwall, Derby, Derbyshire DE65 6LP
01283 733391
Dentists in Derby, Derbyshire 44 Main Street, Etwall, Derby, Derbyshire DE65 6LP
01283 733391
If your tooth is damaged or rotten and cannot be restored with a filling or crown, your dentist may recommend extraction as a final resort.
When a tooth can no longer be fixed, tooth extraction may be the best alternative.
There are two types of tooth extraction:
Tooth extraction may be necessary for a variety of reasons. A tooth that is too seriously damaged to be restored due to trauma or tooth decay is a common reason.
Dentists may extract teeth to prepare the mouth for orthodontic treatment. The purpose of orthodontia is to align your teeth properly, which may be difficult if your teeth are too large for your mouth. Similarly, if a tooth cannot break through the gum due to a lack of space in the mouth, your dentist may advise extracting it.
Even the danger of infection in a single tooth may be enough to pull the tooth if your immune system is impaired (for example, if you are taking chemotherapy or having an organ transplant).
If periodontal disease (infection of the tissues and bones that surround and support the teeth) has resulted in tooth loosening, the tooth or teeth may need to be extracted.
Although tooth extractions are normally painless, they can introduce deadly bacteria into the bloodstream. Gum tissue might also become infected. You may need to take antibiotics before and after the extraction if you have a condition that puts you at high risk of acquiring a serious infection. Before having a tooth pulled, tell your dentist about your entire medical history and/or medical conditions, drugs and supplements you’re taking, and if you have any of the following:
Tooth extractions are performed by dentists and oral surgeons (dentists who have received additional training to undertake surgery). For simple extractions, your dentist will inject you with a local anaesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be extracted. For surgical extractions, your dentist may use a strong general anaesthesia. This will keep you from feeling pain all over your body and allow you to sleep through the treatment.
If the tooth is impacted, the dentist will remove the gum and bone tissue covering it, then grip the tooth with forceps and gently rock it back and forth to free it from the jaw bone and ligaments holding it in place. A difficult-to-pull tooth may need to be removed in segments.
A blood clot generally forms in the tooth socket after the tooth is extracted. To assist stop the bleeding, the dentist will place a gauze pad in the socket and have you bite down on it. Occasionally, the dentist will use self-dissolving stitches to close the gum margins around the extraction site.
The blood clot in the tooth socket can sometimes break loose, exposing the socket’s bone. Dry socket syndrome is a painful condition. If this happens, your dentist will most likely cover the socket with a sedative dressing for a few days to protect it until a new clot forms.
Your dentist will send you home to recuperate after an extraction. It usually takes a few days to recover. The following tips can help you avoid pain, lower the chance of infection, and speed up your recovery.
Personal dental care cannot be underestimated. Ensure you are regularly brushing and flossing your teeth, to remove plaque build up. A healthy, soft food diet will also aid your oral health and prevent the possibility of broken teeth.
Maintain your oral health or get expert medical advice from Etwall Dental Practice. If you feel as though you may require a tooth extraction, please get in touch with us via phone on 01283 733391 or fill out our contact form and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Having a tooth extracted is not painful during the procedure itself. Your dentist will administer a local anaesthetic to fully numb the tooth and surrounding area before beginning. You may feel pressure and movement as the tooth is loosened and removed, but you should not feel pain. Following the procedure, once the anaesthetic has worn off, it is normal to experience some soreness and tenderness around the extraction site for several days. This can be managed effectively with over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, taken as directed. If pain worsens significantly after the first few days please contact us, as this can occasionally indicate a complication such as dry socket.
The length of time needed varies depending on the complexity of the case. A straightforward simple extraction, where the tooth is fully visible and has a straightforward root structure, can often be completed in 20 to 40 minutes including the time needed for the anaesthetic to take effect. Surgical extractions, such as the removal of an impacted wisdom tooth or a tooth that has broken at the gumline, are more complex and can take considerably longer. Your dentist at Etwall Dental Practice will give you a realistic estimate of the time needed based on your individual situation and the X-ray findings from your initial assessment.
For the first 24 hours stick to soft, cool foods that do not require much chewing, such as soup, yoghurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potato, and smooth puréed foods. Avoid hot drinks and food for the first few hours, as heat can dissolve the blood clot forming in the socket that is essential for proper healing. Avoid drinking through a straw for the first 24 hours, as the suction can dislodge this clot and lead to a painful condition called dry socket. As healing progresses over the following days you can gradually reintroduce solid foods, chewing on the opposite side of your mouth to the extraction site.
Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) occurs in the days following extraction when the blood clot that naturally forms in the empty socket is dislodged or fails to form properly, leaving the underlying bone and nerve endings exposed. This can cause significant pain that often radiates to the ear or jaw, alongside a bad taste or smell from the area. To reduce the risk of dry socket avoid smoking, drinking through a straw, or rinsing vigorously for at least 24 hours after the extraction. Follow the aftercare advice provided by your dentist carefully. If you suspect dry socket please contact Etwall Dental Practice, as treatment with a medicated dressing can bring prompt relief.
Once a tooth has been extracted you have several options for replacing it. Dental implants are widely regarded as the gold standard, surgically anchored into the jawbone so they function and feel very much like a natural tooth, while also preventing jawbone loss. A dental bridge involves attaching an artificial tooth to the natural teeth on either side of the gap and provides a fixed, non-removable solution. Partial dentures offer a removable and generally more affordable alternative. Your dentist at Etwall Dental Practice will discuss all available options with you and help you choose the most suitable solution based on your oral health, lifestyle, and budget.
For a straightforward simple extraction most patients find that the initial soreness and swelling settles within three to five days. The gum tissue over the socket typically closes within one to two weeks. More complex surgical extractions, such as the removal of impacted wisdom teeth, can involve a longer recovery of up to two weeks or more. Full healing of the underlying bone takes several months, though this is not usually noticeable during daily life. Factors such as smoking, poor nutrition, and certain medical conditions can slow the healing process. Following the aftercare advice provided by our team at Etwall Dental Practice will help ensure a smooth recovery.
