When a tooth has been broken or damaged, it can be fixed with a filling, crown or other dental treatment. But when the tooth is damaged beyond repair, it may need to be extracted from its socket in the bone. An exceptionally loose tooth will also require tooth extraction if it cannot be saved, even with bone replacement surgery. Other reasons for tooth extraction include:
- Blocking other teeth from coming in
- Baby teeth not coming out in time
- Exposure to radiation
- Infection
- Make room for teeth to go into place with the use of braces
- Wisdom teeth that do not have enough room to erupt
A simple extraction is a procedure on a tooth that can be seen in the mouth. During this procedure, the tooth is loosened with an instrument called an elevator. The forceps will be used to remove the tooth. Most simple extractions can be done with a local anesthetic, and you should feel pressure but no pain.
When recovering from one or more extractions you should:
- Take it easy for at least 24 hours
- Don’t smoke for at least 48 hours
- Bite gently on the gauze given to you by our dentist for at least one hour until the extraction site clots
- Apply ice packs on the face near the extraction site to reduce swelling
- Don’t eat solids for the remainder of the day
- Use warm saline to clean the extraction area
- Take your medications as prescribed
- Do not take aspirin
- Avoid sucking, sipping or eating hard vegetables
- Do not poke in the gap created in your mouth by the extraction
