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General Dental Treatments
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is the technical term for the fact that a tooth has to be extracted. Although permanent teeth can actually last a lifetime, there are a number of reasons why a tooth extraction may be necessary.
If the molar takes up too much space, it may have to give way. Patients have many questions on this topic. What pain can be expected? How does tooth extraction work? What are the risks? What do you need to pay attention to after tooth extraction? Here we give you answers to these and other questions about tooth extraction.
Why is a tooth extraction necessary?
The preservation of natural teeth is the most important goal for dentists. A tooth extraction is therefore mainly performed in cases where there are no alternative treatment options. One then speaks of an “absolute indication”.
A tooth must be removed if:
- it has loosened a lot and is unlikely to change.
- it has broken lengthwise and both the crown and the root of the tooth have been completely severed. Teeth destroyed in this way must be removed.
- a so-called apical periodontitis – an inflammation under the tooth root – is present, which can no longer be treated in any other way.
- it has no space in the jaw and contributes or will contribute to a misalignment of the teeth (denture reduction).
- it is still in the jaw (impacted tooth) and represents a risk.
- it is constantly inflamed and causing toothache, e.g. B. in the case of wisdom teeth.
- it becomes a health risk due to a weakened immune system (e.g. during cancer treatment) and cannot be treated otherwise.
- it belongs to a surplus of teeth, which are often only identified by chance on an x-ray. These supernumerary teeth often lead to space problems and misaligned teeth and should therefore be removed.
There are also situations where removal is not mandatory but is still recommended to resolve existing issues. In this case one speaks of a ‘relative indication’.
How does the tooth extraction performed?
Before the procedure, it is important that the dentist finds out about the patient’s medical history and can rule out or take into account any complications.
Tooth extraction is a three-step process:
- Local anesthetic
- tooth removal
- wound care
What are the risks of tooth extraction?
Before you decide to have a tooth pulled, you should also be aware of the possible risks. In addition to pain and swelling in the initial period after the procedure, the following general risks and complications can occur:
- bruises
- inflammation
- problems with wound healing
- Postoperative bleeding or absence of blood clot (alveolitis)
- Damage to healthy teeth right next to the extracted tooth
- Nerve damage (e.g. mandibular nerve)
- breakthrough in the maxillary sinus
After tooth extraction
After a tooth extraction, you will need a few days of rest to recover. The following measures can help to speed up wound healing and minimize symptoms and the risk of infection:
Rest for at least 24 hours and limit your activities to a minimum.
If you are lying down, support your head with pillows. Lying flat can prolong bleeding.
What happens to the tooth gap?
The initial healing period usually takes about one to two weeks. New bone and gum tissue grows in the resulting gap. However, over time, a gap can cause the remaining healthy teeth to shift, which can affect your bite. Furthermore, in the long term, the jawbone in the affected area can recede, which can lead to the surrounding teeth losing stability. A replacement for the extracted tooth becomes necessary.
For this reason, it is recommended to provide the tooth gap that has arisen with dentures like single tooth implants as soon as possible after the healing process is complete.
