Tooth Extraction
The process in which a tooth or teeth are removed from your mouth with force is typically referred to as tooth extraction. A dentist can recommend and administer the treatment for quite a few reasons.

When Do You Require Tooth Extraction?
There are several reasons that a dentist need to perform a tooth extraction, they are:
- Tooth Decay: A dentist can perform a tooth extraction when the infection of a tooth has advanced and begins to affect the blood vessels and the nerves. In such a case root canal is not an option, and tooth extraction is the solution.
- Impacted Wisdom Tooth: Often, this happens with wisdom tooth where the tooth does not have enough space for emerging. As a result, it gets impacted. Such an impacted wisdom tooth not only causes pain but also increases the chance of infection. In such an instance, the impacted tooth is removed to give other teeth the space it requires.
- Orthodontics (braces): Often, permanent teeth can start emerging in different positions that can affect the bite and the alignment of the teeth. To reposition and realign the teeth for orthodontic treatment, a dentist may need to extract tooth/ teeth.
- Periodontal disease: Bacterial infection on the gums can be quite damaging when not treated properly. In case the bacteria reaches the jaw and starts dissolving the bone which anchors the tooth, then the dentist performs a tooth extraction to prevent any further damage.
- Trauma: When a tooth is broken, chipped or damaged due to trauma, a tooth extraction is performed.
- There can be other medical issues, which can lead to tooth extraction as a solution.
The Procedure
The dental extraction procedure typically compromises of two appointments:
First Appointment: Consultation
At this appointment, a dentist will check your tooth and see whether an extraction is required. Often a dental x-ray is taken to determine the condition of the tooth, gum and the jaw. In case the decision is made that you need a dental extraction, the dentist will then explain the process, the reason for the extraction and the cost it involves. The x-ray is then studied to see if there is an abscess and to establish the best way to conduct the extraction.
If there is an abscess and it has been painful for you, the dentist will prescribe a course of antibiotics to you. This will heal the abscess, which is vital before the tooth extraction is done.
During this consultation, you also have to give your medical history to the dentist. You tell them about any allergies, medications that you are taking, including any over the counter medicines that you have been using recently. This is a vital step, as some medications can have an adverse effect on the tooth extraction procedure.
If you are anxious about the procedure, do not worry, we offer painless dentistry. We have qualified sedationists who can administer sedation before the dental extraction, so you will not feel any pain.
Second Appointment: The Extraction
We will conduct any of the two types of dental extractions, simple extraction or surgical extraction:
- A simple extraction involves the procedure where the tooth is removed with a pair of forceps. This is possible only if the tooth is visible in the mouth. For a simple extraction, the dentist generally applies local anaesthesia that numbs the area for the procedure.
- A surgical extraction performed by a dentist when the tooth is in one of the following conditions:
- Not visible in the mouth and is below the gum
- Partially visible but not enough area for the forceps to hold it
- Broken off at the gum level
For the surgical procedure, the patient is either offered local anaesthesia or sedation. Once the area is numb, or the patient has been sedated, the dentist makes a small incision in the gum. Next, the gum is pulled back, exposing the entire tooth, including the root. The dentist then removes the tooth. At times, a dentist may be required to perform a complex procedure of cutting the tooth into pieces to extract it.
After the tooth is removed in both simple and surgical extraction, a swab is placed on the site of the procedure. The swab is to be kept there until it stops bleeding. We might recommend you to bite on it lightly for the blood to clot. Clotting of the blood is essential in starting the healing process.

Aftercare
Do not disturb the blood clot or the area of the extraction. Let the area heal, so do not poke or rinse the site. The bleeding should stop within hours; the dentist will tell you the estimated time frame depending on your extraction procedure. If it continues to bleed, contact your dentist immediately.
The effect of the anaesthesia should stay for an hour, so be careful with your food and drinks, and avoid biting onto anything during this time. After the anaesthesia wears off, you may feel pain but the dentist will recommend mild painkillers for you to take. The area will be swollen for a couple of days.
If you are having tooth issues and are unsure whether you need an extraction, contact us now. We will examine and determine the necessary treatment, making sure it is pain free, in line with our painless dentistry.