Extractions; a brief guide from our dentist

When you have a tooth or teeth which are decayed or damaged beyond standard repair (such as fillings or crowns), then it may be advised that you have an extraction.

And while you may think that having a tooth extracted is fairly straightforward, there are a few things that can complicate the process and of course, there are some aftercare tips that you need to know to ensure that you heal correctly.

At Buttercup 7 Day Dental, we pride ourselves on our patient care and will always aim to make sure that you know the ins and outs of the procedure that our dentist in Glasgow is going to perform. We will guide you through the aftercare, and will even be there for you to answer questions as and when you need us. Great!

Here, our dentist in Glasgow offers a simple guide to dental extractions and what you need to know about this dental procedure.

Why are teeth removed?

There are several reasons why our dentist in Glasgow may choose to remove a tooth or teeth.

As mentioned before, there may be an issue surrounding extensive decay or damage after which the tooth cannot be restored.

Alternatively, you may be about to undertake a brace or aligner to correct misalignment and you may need to have a tooth removed to make room for the rearrangement of your teeth. Also, if you have wisdom teeth coming in, there is a high chance (80%) that one of them or all of them will need to be extracted. Depending on the reasons behind the extraction, you may need either a simple or surgical extraction.

Simple extraction

As the name suggests, a simple extraction occurs when our team can remove a tooth simply and without any specific tools or incisions. This type of extraction is usually performed on teeth that need extracting due to orthodontic requirements, or those that have been badly damaged beyond repair. You may also undertake a simple extraction due to decay.

Surgical extraction

At the other end of the spectrum is surgical extraction.

If you have a tooth that has broken or decayed and has been left for a long time, then surgical extraction may be needed to remove the gum that may have grown over it. Also, in the event of removing wisdom teeth, these are often quite complex due to having long, entangled roots, which can require surgical techniques to remove.

Following a surgical extraction, you are likely to require stitches.

Aftercare

In the first 24 hours following any extraction, aim to keep the extraction site clean by rinsing it with saltwater. Do not poke it with your tongue as you may encourage dry socket to form.

Take pain relief as and when you need it and keep an eye out for signs of infection.

Possible complications

Following extraction, there is going to be some soreness, so take care to not aggravate the site. There is also a risk of infection, so if you notice extreme discomfort, reddening, discolouration, swelling or a fever, then seek urgent medical help.