Tooth Extraction — When Is It Necessary?

Dental Extraction (tooth extraction) is a procedure to remove a tooth from its socket (dental alveolus) in the alveolar bone. Tooth extraction has been used since the fourteenth century to get rid of painful or unrestorable teeth. It is an outpatient procedure and is usually cheaper compared to other teeth treatments. 

When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?

Tooth extraction is necessary for the following reasons:

• When unrepairable tooth decay occurs
• In cases of a severe tooth infection
• When patients suffer from periodontal diseases
• Dental trauma, especially associated with toothache
• When you have fractured teeth
• For cosmetic purposes — tooth replacement / dental braces
• Impacted wisdom teeth (wisdom teeth that are stuck and unable to grow normally)
• If you are dealing with recurrent gum infections 
• Overcrowded, oversized, and deformed teeth

Types of Tooth Extraction

There are two types of tooth extraction depending on the tooth to be removed.

1. Simple (non-surgical) tooth extraction: This procedure is performed on easily accessible teeth.
2. Complex (surgical) tooth extraction: This is a more complex procedure used for a tooth that is not easily accessible for a simple extraction and/or is severely inflamed. It might involve the removal of some gum tissue, bone, or both. 

Things to Do Before a Tooth Extraction Procedure

• Medical history review: This includes a review of previous extractions, previous gum infections, drugs/medications
• Examination of the teeth:  Length, shape, position, and location of the tooth are considered. This might include a radiograph (x-rays) for an appropriate treatment plan.

Antibiotics might be prescribed for special conditions such as weakened immune systems or infection before an extraction.

Tooth Extraction Procedure

Before tooth extraction is conducted, a local anesthetic is injected to make the tooth and its surrounding tissues numb. This will prevent any form of pain or discomfort during the procedure. Surgical extraction requires an incision on the gum to extract the tooth and sometimes requires deeper anesthesia for your comfort.

Precautions to Take After a Tooth Extraction Procedure

The numbness lasts for only a few hours after the extraction, red saliva is expected for the first few hours, there might be minor swelling and the healing process should take one or two weeks. 

• Painkillers should be taken as prescribed.
• Bite the gauze pad firmly to reduce bleeding, change once soaked with blood.
• Apply an icepack at a ten-minute interval to reduce swelling.
• Avoid rinsing moth for the first 24 hours after the extraction to prevent the blood clots from dislodging.
• Avoid disturbing or irritating the extraction site such as touching the site with the tongue, this can delay healing.
• After 24 hours, use warm salty water to rinse the mouth gently, avoid mouth wash.
• Limit activity after the extraction, do not participate in strenuous activity for the first 72 hours.
• Continue brushing and flossing as advised by your doctor, however, avoid the extraction site at the beginning.
• Avoid smoking, hot, or spicy food, hard or crunchy food, drinking from a straw, spitting.
• Eat soft food like soup, yogurt, or apple sauce. Slowly reintroduce solid foods.

Complications / Risks Involved in Tooth Extraction

• Prolonged bleeding due to patient refusal to follow post-extraction instructions 
• Inflammation
• Swelling
• Dry socket
• Luxation/loosening/ weakening of adjacent tooth
• Nerve injury (rare and preventable by professional assessment and imaging)

Need To Extract a Tooth in Philadelphia?

Absolute Smile Dental offers patients a full range of general dentistry services to ensure optimal oral health. Our convenient hours and flexible scheduling options make us an excellent choice for all your general dentistry needs.

Take advantage of our free consultation services for all new patients!

After your extraction is completed and any related issues are resolved, we offer professional and affordable dental implant options in Philadelphia.

Contact Our Offices: 

• Street Road office

1045 Street Road, Southampton, PA 18966. Phone number (215) 355-4007

• Bustleton office

9733 Bustleton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19115. Phone number (215) 774-5050

• Harbison office

6737 Harbison Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19149. Phone number (215) 331-7585