Tooth Extractions

Necessary treatment to protect your oral health

At Hamworthy Dental Practice, we will always aim to save a natural tooth and prevent it from future infection. However, there are times when a tooth may be too decayed or damaged or too loose due to gum disease to be saved. In these instances, extraction may be required. In cases of a dental emergency, extractions are a common solution to addressing a serious dental problem and providing immediate relief.

Book your consultation today

Why do I need an extraction?

There are many reasons why a tooth might need to be extracted, including:

Cavities – a cavity is a hole in a tooth that can be caused by bacteria. If a cavity is not treated, it can eventually cause the tooth to decay and break.
Impacted wisdom teeth – wisdom teeth are the third molars that grow in at the back of the mouth. Sometimes they do not have enough room to erupt properly and can become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, infection, and damage to other teeth.
Trauma – a tooth can be knocked out or broken if it is hit by a hard object. If this happens, the tooth will need to be extracted.
Children’s teeth – sometimes children’s teeth need to be extracted for orthodontic reasons. This helps the new or remaining teeth grow regularly or without being overcrowded.

What does a tooth extraction involve?

Before your extraction, we will take an x-ray of your mouth to determine the best way to take out the tooth. We use local anaesthetic during the procedure to ensure you feel no discomfort.

Simple extractions

Removing teeth can be a very straightforward procedure. For simple extractions, we loosen the tooth with dental forceps under local anaesthetic. The tooth comes out easily without touching the surrounding gums.

Surgical extractions

In some cases, we may need to give the tooth a helping hand to remove it successfully. A surgical extraction involves making a small incision in the gum to remove a tooth that may have broken off or is concealed under the gum. We may need to remove large teeth in parts.

Frequently asked questions

: Immediately after your tooth has been taken out, try to keep the site clean by rinsing it 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. It is important that you closely follow the post-extraction aftercare instructions to promote a healthy recovery.
: After tooth extraction, you will likely experience some bleeding and swelling in the affected area, along with some discomfort. You should avoid hot food and drinks for an amount of time advised by your dentist, and it is best to chew on the opposite side of your mouth from the extraction for a few days.
These symptoms should go away within a few days. If you experience intense pain a few days after an extraction, you may have a condition known as dry socket, which occurs when a blood clot fails to form or is dislodged prematurely, exposing the bone. In this case, you will need to see the dentist who will help to rectify the problem and alleviate any pain.
: The recovery time for wisdom tooth extraction varies from person to person. Most people can return to their normal activities within a few days. However, some people may experience swelling and pain for up to a week. It is important to follow your dentist’s instructions for care and recovery.
: There are a few risks associated with wisdom tooth extraction, including infection, bleeding, dry sockets and nerve damage. These risks are rare, but they can occur. It is important to talk to your dentist about the risks of wisdom tooth extraction before the procedure.
: There are several benefits to having a wisdom tooth extraction, including relief from pain, prevention of gum disease, removal of impacted wisdom teeth, and improved alignment of the teeth.
: Yes, if you would like to fill the gap left by your missing tooth, we have treatment options. We are happy to discuss the benefits of dental bridges, partial dentures and full dentures with you, helping you to decide which would be most suitable for you.