TOOTH REMOVAL OR TOOTH EXTRACTIONS IN INDOOROOPILLY
At Heritage Dental Group, our dentists try their best to use alternative treatment options to save your natural tooth but sometimes a tooth may need to be removed. Your permanent teeth are supposed to last lifelong. At your dental appointment, Dr Singh will discuss your tooth condition, possible dental treatment options to save it, options to replace the tooth before removing the tooth. At every step of your dental treatment at Heritage Dental Group, we keep you informed about making a decision, possible consequences and what to expect after your tooth is extracted.
WHY I NEED TO GET MY TOOTH REMOVED?
Following are couple of reasons for removal of tooth:
- Loose teeth due to gum disease
- Decayed tooth resulting in extensive damage to the structure of the tooth
- Cracked tooth causing immense pain and sensitivity
- Accidental damage or sports injury
- Wisdom tooth extraction due to positioning or functionality
CAN MY DENTIST TAKE MY TOOTH OUT?
Your dentist can take the tooth out in the dental chair under local anaesthetic. Tooth extraction, simple or complicated depends on patient’s age, medical history, location of the tooth in the mouth and complexity of tooth roots and associated gum and nerve location.
In some cases your dentist will refer you to an Oral surgeon for taking the wisdom teeth out because of the complexity of tooth roots or tooth roots too close to the nerve. In other cases, if you want to get your wisdom teeth out under general anaesthetic, your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon.
CHECKING YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY
Our Dentists will go through your medical history and medication before performing tooth extraction. If you have any medical conditions which can put you at higher risk of developing infection or complications, you may need antibiotics cover before and after the tooth removal treatment.
Let you dentist know if you have any medical conditions or are on any medication. Conditions like congenial heart defect, liver disease, damaged heart valves, diabetes, artificial joints, impaired immune system, any heart conditions, or history of bacterial endocarditis can interfere with dental treatment. Please inform the dentist or dental staff.
TAKING X-RAYS
Dentist will take x-rays to determine the condition of your tooth. X-rays may include a small x-ray of your individual tooth or an OPG (big x-ray showing all your teeth and jaw structure) or 3D cone beam. We have the latest equipment and technology available to do all x-rays here in our practice.
DISCUSSING TOOTH EXTRACTION TREATMENT PLAN
After taking x-rays, dentist will explain the possible ways to save the tooth with root canal treatment or replacing extracted tooth with a bridge, denture, or a dental implant.
If dentist is taking the tooth out, he will discuss the possible complications after the extraction, procedure and post operative instructions to avoid any complications.
Dentist will use anaesthetic to numb your tooth and surrounding area. Our dentists at Heritage Dental Group are experienced in performing tooth extraction either simple or surgical. After taking the tooth out, dentist will ask you to bite on a piece of gauze and wait for the bleeding to stop. Dentist will go through all the post operative instructions- what to do? and what not to do? Our team will also ask you to contact us straightaway if you are concerned about anything.
Once the tooth is pulled out, a blood clot will form in the socket. Dentist will place a piece of gauze and ask you to bite on it to help stop the bleeding. In some cases, if it is a surgical extraction, your dentist will place stiches to close the gum edges over the extraction site, these stiches are usually self-dissolving, or your dentist will ask you to return in a couple of days to remove the stiches and check the extraction site.
WHAT IS DRY SOCKET?
Sometimes, if the blood clot comes loose, exposing the bone in the socket, you will get this painful condition called dry socket. If you are a smoker or consuming alcohol or tobacco after extraction, it will increase your chances of getting tooth infection. Your dentist will check the wound, clean it, and dress it with medication and ask you to take precautions and check it again in couple of days.
WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL- Click here for more information on our website
TOOTH REMOVAL POST- OPERATIVE CARE
You will be provided with a list of care instruction after the tooth removal. Our team will also go through the list with you and explain all. Recovery after tooth extraction takes a few days.
Post operative care is important as you can get infection if proper care is not taken.
Please follow below tips for fast recovery, less discomfort and to reduce the risk of infection after tooth extraction:
- Take medication as prescribed by your dentist
- Follow dentist’s instruction on biting on the gauze to encourage clotting.
- Try not to spit out or gargle your mouth after extraction, doing that can take the blood clot out and bleeding can start again.
- Do not eat, drink, or rinse for first 4 hours. You can take medication with water if necessary.
- Limit physical exercise or activity for next 24 hours.
- Do not use straw for 24 hours.
- Do not smoke or vape for at least 7 days as it can cause infection and slow down the healing process.
- Do not consume alcohol or tobacco products after tooth extraction for at least 7 days. It can slow the healing process due to harmful chemicals.
- Eat soft foods for a couple of days like soup, yogurt, pudding and start your normal diet as the extraction site heals in 2-5 days.
- Do not take aspirin for pain relief as this will increase the risk of bleeding.
- Apply ice pack to the affected area to avoid swelling.
- When lying down, keep your head high by placing extra pillow. Lying flat can prolong bleeding.
- Continue to follow your oral hygiene routine just avoid the extraction site. Keep your teeth and tongue clean to avoid infection.
WHEN TO CALL THE DENTIST
It is normal to feel some pain, swelling and residual bleeding but if the bleeding is severe after 4 hours of extraction, you should contact your dentist immediately.
If it is after hours and your dentist is not available, go the emergency hospital near you or call 000 in case of an emergency.
You should call your dentist immediately if you are experiencing:
- Excessive bleeding
- Severe pain or infection
Healing process usually takes 1-2 weeks. Taking the tooth out can affect your chewing, your teeth can shift, and your bite may change. Your dentist will give you options like denture, bridge, or an Implant to replace a missing tooth. Always consult your dentist for advice. We are here to help you maintain healthy smile.
See one of our experienced Indooroopilly Dentists.
Contact our team on 38783384 for more information on tooth removal.