Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is a therapeutic procedure performed by a specialist dentist under fully sterile conditions using specialized tools to remove the tooth entirely from the jawbone. It can be a simple manual extraction or a surgical extraction involving an incision in the gum.

This is a common procedure done by dentists in clinics, usually under local anesthesia and sometimes general anesthesia, to maintain oral and dental health by removing the tooth completely from its root. Tooth extraction is performed for various reasons, which will be discussed in the following lines.

Despite the availability of various treatments for all dental problems, tooth extraction remains one of the last resort solutions that doctors resort to for several key reasons, including:

1. Crowded and overlapping teeth that require extraction of a molar to fit braces and properly align the teeth.
2. Teeth that are completely worn out and cannot be treated or restored by any method.
3. Teeth broken due to accidents or strong blows.
4. Impacted or erupted wisdom teeth that cause problems for other teeth.
5. Decayed baby teeth in children that affect the health of permanent teeth underneath.
6. Teeth infected with bacterial infection that cannot be treated.
7. Patients lacking financial means to treat the teeth.

Dentists resort to tooth extraction for several important reasons, including the following:

• Tooth decay: Teeth severely decayed and untreatable by any method must be removed to relieve the patient’s pain.
• Gum disease: Inflammation of the gums and bacterial spread to the tooth roots can cause tooth loss, and in some cases, extraction is necessary to protect the mouth, jaw, and facial bones from infection and worsening inflammation.
• Broken teeth: Teeth that are completely broken and cannot be restored with crowns due to an accident or strong impact are extracted by the dentist. Also, teeth with longitudinal root fractures that cannot be repaired by root canal treatments.
• Crowded teeth: Crowding causes poor alignment, and in such cases, the dentist may extract a molar to allow proper orthodontic alignment of the remaining teeth.
• Wisdom teeth: Wisdom teeth that cause problems and pain and cannot be treated are extracted to relieve the patient.

Tooth extraction is performed after taking an X-ray or panoramic image and showing it to the dentist, who examines the tooth and confirms that it cannot be treated and needs extraction. The tooth extraction procedure is carried out manually in a sterile clinic by an experienced specialist through the following steps:

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia of the tooth by injecting anesthetic around the surrounding tissues.

Tooth Mobilization

Mobilizing the tooth using an elevator to separate it from the surrounding tissues.

Extraction and Removal

Pulling the tooth using forceps after it has been loosened.

After a tooth extraction, the patient must follow the doctor's instructions to reduce pain and bleeding. Here are some post-extraction tips and guidelines:

• The patient should avoid eating for two hours after the extraction.
• A sterile gauze pad should remain on the extraction site with the mouth closed for 45 minutes to an hour until bleeding stops.
• The patient should refrain from smoking and alcohol consumption for at least 24 hours after the extraction.
• Avoid hard foods that require chewing and consume soft, non-hot foods and soups.
• The patient should start using antiseptic mouth rinses only after 24 hours post-extraction, as rinsing immediately may interfere with blood clotting at the extraction site.

Some complications may occur after tooth extraction, the most important of which include:

• Infection: Bacteria may enter the extraction wound causing painful inflammation.
• Pain: Pain is a common symptom after extraction but can be relieved with painkillers.
• Persistent bleeding: Bleeding may continue longer than usual, especially if post-op instructions are not followed.
• Swelling and bruising: Swelling and bruising of the face are normal after extraction, but if severe or prolonged, consult your doctor.
• Dry socket: A painful condition that occurs when a blood clot does not form at the extraction site, exposing bone and increasing infection risk.
• Nerve damage: In rare cases, a nerve may be damaged during extraction, causing numbness or tingling in the affected area.
• Jaw stiffness: Stiffness may occur due to swelling or the placement of gauze after extraction.
• Bone fracture: A fracture in the jawbone may occur, especially if the extracted tooth is near the sinuses.