Dental Extractions

Dental Extractions refer to the removal of teeth or roots. In dentistry today, many extractions are still performed to remove unwanted teeth or roots. Although we always try to keep our teeth for as long as possible, sometimes the outcome becomes too uncertain or compromised. This means removing the tooth will be a more long term solution.

Possible Causes For A Dental Extraction

Very mobile teeth (Advanced Periodontitis / Gum Disease)

Too little bone around the teeth to anchor the roots

Fracture or trauma to the teeth

Infection that destroyed most of the healthy tooth structure

Orthodontic reasons (e.g. spacing)

Financial considerations

Where Can the Extraction Take Place?

In the Surgery
Most often teeth are removed in the operating rooms.

Under Sedation
Sometimes if the patient is very anxious or has a dental phobia, sedation dentistry can be a winner!

In Hospital under general anesthetic

Types Of Dental Extractions

The traditional ‘wiggle and pull'

The modern ‘surgical approach'

Surgical Approach

The tooth is exposed by moving the gum away. Sometimes the tooth has to be split into sections with a drill and each section is then removed with great ease and precision. A flat instrument(periotome) is forced between the gum and the tooth and the circumferential movements wiggle the tooth loose (wiggly - waggle method). Most of the times the use of dental sutures (stitches) is recommended to close the wound and to speed up the healing process. These are dissolvable or non-dissolvable.

Bone loss is minimal and this is the preferred method for the placement of a Dental Implant afterward.

Socket Preservation

Quickly after a tooth is removed, the jawbone immediately begins reshaping and re-contouring itself. This leads to the collapse of bone and soft tissue and therefore creates a 'fallen-in' appearance. A technique called socket preservation is used to counteract this natural occurrence.
Without socket preservation, the remaining bone often collapses to a point where it is more complex and sometimes impossible to place a dental implant.

With socket preservation, the aim is to build out the lost bone and tissue with artificial bone granules or some of the patient's own bone if possible. This technique enables us to prevent facial and bone collapse. To learn more about socket preservation, click here on what to do after tooth removal.

Aftercare For Dental Extractions

Extraction of a tooth is minor surgery and complications very seldom occur when you follow the correct aftercare procedures. In fact, doing certain things, even on the first day, may help you feel better and heal faster.

Control The Bleeding
This is the first aim after extraction and it leads to rapid tissue growth and healing. Bite firmly on the gauze placed by your dentist. The pressure helps to form a blood clot in the tooth socket. If you have a lot of bleeding, bite on a regular tea bag until the bleeding stops. The tannic acid in the tea aids in forming a blood clot.

Minimize Pain
Take the prescribed medication as directed (painkillers and / or antibiotics to lessen the chance of any possible complications.) Ask your dentist if you may take over-the-counter medication, if needed

Reduce The Swelling
Put an ice pack (enclose an ice-pack with cloth) on your cheek near the extraction site for about 10 minutes and then remove it for 15 minutes. Repeat as needed. You may see some bruising on your face. This is normal and will go away on its own.