Extractions
Extractions are required when teeth that are badly damaged by trauma, decay or gum disease, thus they cannot be salvaged anymore. Gentle extractions prevent infection from spreading to nearby teeth. Appropriate advice will be given with various solutions to replace missing teeth after removal.
Our family dentists will try their best to keep your natural teeth healthy. However, issues like trauma, infections or gum disease happen to the extent that your teeth cannot be saved anymore. If this is the case, it’s best that the offending tooth be removed for your overall health.
Reasons For having a Tooth Extaction
- Extensive tooth decay
- Dental trauma and emergency
- Severe gum disease
- Orthodontic reasons
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Prior to making dentures
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Frequent gum abscesses
Keeping You at Ease During Extraction
Extractions are done under local anaesthesia, therefore you won’t feel any pain or discomfort, except for a bit of pressure. Be assured that you are in safe and gentle hands of the dentists.
Replacement Options After Extraction/Surgery
Removing a tooth creates wide gaps in your mouth where the surrounding teeth can shift and move into the space as there is less support from neighbouring teeth. Issues like crooked or slanted teeth can develop in a few months.
Teeth that are removed should be replaced as soon as possible to maintain the natural spacing. Choices include fixed dental bridges, dental implants or partial dentures for your consideration. Do have a discussion with our dentists about the possible and best options.
Recovery After Extraction
Even though dental extractions are a routine procedure, you will require some amount of time for recovery after your appointment. Plan to take the rest of the day off and take the painkillers that your dentist prescribes.
Cold compress intermittently may be required to keep swelling down as inflammation is a common cause of oral pain. A soft diet is recommended for the first few days. Also, do avoid drinking using a straw, carbonated beverages
or hot food, as these may prolong healing and blood-clotting.
SAVE MY TOOTH!
Extractions are usually the last resort as we try our best to save your teeth. If you are concerned about extractions, do contact us to schedule a consultation with our family dentist.
Extraction
Generally there will be discomfort after an extraction, which usually last for 2-3 days and can be easily relieved by painkillers given by your dentist. Be sure to take the painkillers as prescribed one hour after the extraction and regularly for at least 2 days so you will feel quite comfortable. Some patients don’t even need to take any painkillers on the second day onwards. However, if you develop sudden severe pain after 3-4 days, you will need to go back to your dentist. Quite likely you would have developed a dry socket whereby the blood clot is not formed properly and the bone becomes inflamed.
Although fevers are not related to a dental extraction, some patients do develop it, though it’s not common. If fever does develop, make sure you take Paracetamol to relieve the fever and monitor your temperature. It should go away within 1-2 days. Contact your medical doctor if the fever persists beyond 3 days as it could be other causes.
