Extraction

Common reasons you may require removal of one or more teeth

Advanced Gum Disease

Advanced gum disease, or periodontal disease, develops as bacteria accumulate on teeth, damaging the supporting bone. Over time, this deterioration causes the bone securing the tooth to dissolve, leading to loose teeth that require professional removal.

Orthodontic Treatment

Sometimes, there isn’t enough space in your mouth, and to align your teeth properly with braces or aligners, it may be necessary to remove some teeth.

Tooth Decay

Severe tooth decay, caused by bacteria, sugary foods, and neglecting oral hygiene, can lead to infection in the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth, resulting in pain and an abscess.

Broken Tooth

If a tooth breaks close to the gum line and there’s not enough of it left for a dental crown, the tooth may need to be taken out.

Impacted Wisdom Tooth

When there’s not enough space for your wisdom teeth, they can get stuck and need to be taken out. Sometimes, they just don’t fit well in our mouths, causing pain and infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during an extraction?

A local anaesthetic is administered to numb the tooth and gums.
Elevators and forceps are used to move the tooth from side to side until it’s loose enough for removal. You may feel pressure, hear some noises but not pain.
After extraction a piece of gauze is placed at the extraction site to prevent bleeding.

What is a sectional extraction?

This type of extraction is for teeth with multiple roots, like upper and lower molars and the upper first premolar. If the tooth is difficult to remove in one piece due to root shapes, directions, or decay, the roots can be separated by cutting between them with a bur, allowing each root to be taken out individually.

After extraction what should I do?

1. Use Panadol and/or Nurofen for pain relief. Discomfort and pain will improve in 7-10 days. Follow your prescription instructions and do not exceed the labeled dose.

2. Bite on gauze for 30 minutes; if bleeding persists, use fresh gauze. Expect some blood in your saliva the following day.

3. Brush teeth gently around extraction site to avoid disturbing blood clot. After 2 days, rinse gently with warm saltwater.

4. Eat soft foods for first 2 days and drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol.

After extraction what should I avoid doing?

1. Do not smoke, as it delays healing and increases the risk of dry socket.

2. Don’t vigorously rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours to protect the essential blood clot and prevent a dry socket.

3. Avoid exercise and heavy lifting for the next 24-48 hours.

What is a dry socket?

Dry socket, or alveolar osteitis, is a painful issue that can occur after a tooth extraction.

Normally, when a tooth is pulled, a blood clot forms in the socket, which is the hole in the jawbone where the tooth was. This clot protects the bone and nerve.

However, if the clot is dislodged or doesn’t form properly, the bone and nerve become exposed, resulting in intense pain and a risk of infection.

You’re more prone to developing dry socket if:

You smoke or use tobacco, as the chemicals can impede healing and the act of inhaling may dislodge the blood clot.
You neglect proper wound care by not following your dentist’s instructions for at-home care or practicing good oral hygiene.

If you experience dry socket, it’s important to see us for further care.

What are symptoms of dry socket?

Dry socket symptoms can include:

Severe pain a few days after tooth extraction.
Loss of the blood clot, making the socket appear empty.
Visible bone in the socket.
Pain spreading to the ear, eye, temple, or neck on the same side as the tooth removal.
Bad breath or foul odor from the mouth.
Unpleasant taste in the mouth.