Extracting teeth is a frightening yet necessary procedure. This is especially if you’ve seriously damaged a tooth. The damage could stem from major decay, abscess or broken teeth. Sometimes, tooth extraction may also be required if your neighboured teeth are crowded, causing an abnormal bite when chewing food.

Depending on the health of your teeth, you may require one of two extraction procedure types. First, a simple extraction that involves the removal of a damaged tooth without the gum getting damaged. You may require a surgical extraction that involves removing the tooth through the gum and jawbone. This is mainly for severely broken teeth that can only be removed with a major extraction.

Risks of Tooth Extraction Treatment

Here are the common risks of tooth extraction treatment:

• Severe Decay or Trauma – Known as an abscessed tooth, this condition can be preserved if caught early. However, it depends on the severity of how decayed it is. This to preserve your neighbored teeth from the same issues.
• Poor Misalignment – Some people may have a crowded jawline that does not hold their teeth in the correct position. The jawbone may be expanded to allow for more space, or removal of teeth and to then fit the remaining teeth correctly.
• A Dry Socket – A dry socket typically occurs when a blood clot did not form properly to protect the socket, causing healing time to increase.
• Nerve Inflammation – The alveolar nerve in the lower jaw sometimes gets damaged. Whilst the nerve damage is temporary and can heal within 3 to 6 months, you could experience permanent numbness in the lower chin.
• Significant Jaw Damage – People with a weak jawbone have a higher chance of contracting a jaw fracture.

Post Treatment Complications

After tooth extraction treatment, if there are still complications, you must contact the oral surgeon if you suffer from the following:

• The swelling gets worse
• If you begin to suffer from fevers, get the chills or redness
• Difficulty in swallowing, especially when you eat and drink
• You suffer from bleeding which becomes uncontrollable and continues to flow aggressively. This includes bleeding over a 24-hour period
• If the tooth extracted area continues to be very painful. This could be a sign of development dry socket.
• Your facial structure tends to feel numb a few hours after treatment

Do you need tooth extraction treatment? Read here to know what the signs are.

Whilst there are associated risks with tooth extraction treatment, it is necessary to preserve the health of your oral health if a tooth is severely damaged. You may require bone graft surgery to replace bone which is severely weak and affecting the strength of your teeth. Additionally, choosing the right food after tooth extraction is crucial to ensure proper healing and avoid complications.

If your teeth are severely damaged or decayed beyond repair, Sutherland Dental is ready to restore your missing confidence to help you show off your smile. Contact us now to book yourself in with our helpful dental team.