Why are tooth extractions needed?
There are several reasons why a tooth extraction may be needed, these include:
- Extensive decay or advanced gum disease
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Dental trauma or fracture
- To remove a baby tooth and encourage a permanent tooth to emerge
- To make room for successful orthodontic treatment
What does an extraction involve?
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1
To begin, we examine your mouth and identify the type of extraction needed for your case. We make sure you are feeling relaxed before we begin, and use local anaesthetic to minimise any discomfort.
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2
If you are having a simple extraction, we gently loosen your tooth using dental forceps. It comes out easily without touching or affecting the surrounding gums.
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3
In some cases, the tooth may need to be removed surgically. We make a small incision in your gum to extract it successfully. Surgical extractions are often needed for teeth that have broken off or are concealed under the gum. We may need to remove larger teeth in parts.
Frequently asked questions
Immediately after your tooth has been taken out, try to keep the site clean by rinsing with warm, salty water. Encourage healing of the affected area by eating softer foods and chewing on the opposite side of your mouth. Also, try to avoid smoking or using a straw, as these can dislodge the clot that forms in the hole after extraction.