What is an extraction?
A tooth which is very decayed or damaged or loose because of gum disease, may have to be extracted (taken out of your mouth).
Wisdom teeth sometimes have to be extracted if they have come through at an awkward angle and are causing problems.
Teeth are sometimes taken out from children’s mouths to help other teeth grow straight, for orthodontic treatment.
What will my dentist do?
Some teeth are easier to take than others. A local anaesthetic will be used to numb the tooth before it is extracted, this is the best treatment for most patients.
In some cases, for children or nervous patient or where a tooth might prove difficulty to remove, a general anaesthetic may be considered. If a general anaesthetic is needed, you will have to be referred to hospital (you will normally be able to go home the same day).
Afterwards
You may need a day or so off work to recover, depending on how difficult the extraction was and whether general anaesthetic was used.
The dentist will give you a pad gauze to bite on, to stop any bleeding.
The dentist will give you advice on:
- How to look after the space where the tooth was while it is healing.
- How to use painkiller so you are not in any discomfort when the anaesthetic wears off.
- How to contract the practice if there are any problems.
