Reasons for Recommending Tooth Extraction
Teeth may need to be extracted for several reasons, including but not limited to:
- severe periodontal disease
- irreversible damage to the nerve tissue inside the tooth (and the patient decides against saving the tooth)
- failed endodontic therapy
- extreme fracture or decay of the tooth structure
- improper positioning of the tooth or for orthodontic purposes
To a great extent, the reason for the extraction will influence the amount of discomfort you might experience subsequent to the procedure. When the tooth is to be extracted for periodontal reasons, there will be reduced bone support for the tooth and the tooth might be removed more easily than if there were full bone support. In this case there might be lessened discomfort following the extraction.
Following the Extraction
We will tell you the reason for the extraction and let you know what to expect following the procedure. Please follow the instructions given to you. If antibiotics are prescribed, take them until the prescription is completely finished. If pain medication is prescribed, take it only if necessary. If the medication prescribed contains a narcotic component, such as codeine, do not drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery that could prove dangerous to yourself or others. Expect some bleeding to occur from the extraction site for the first 24 hours. Remember, there is now a hole in your jaw from which the tooth has been removed, and the hole can be quite large. Some bleeding is to be expected.
Some infrequent complications of routine oral surgical procedures include (but are not limited to):
- fracture of adjacent teeth or restorations (which of course would mean that these affected areas must be restored to normal function after the healing of the extraction site)
- separated root tips or root fragments
- temporary or permanent nerve damage to the area, resulting in anesthesia or paresthesia (numbness)
- incomplete healing, resulting in severe pain¾a “dry socket”
- fracture of the surrounding bone
Here are some examples of food you can eat following an extraction:
- Gelatin
- Pudding
- Jello
- Mashed Potatoes
- Ice Cream
- Thin Soups
**When drinking, make sure you do not use a straw. The sucking motion can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process. The same goes for smoking. If you have prolonged pain, bleeding, irritation, or don't feel that the extraction site is healing properly call your dentist for a follow up.