There are a number of reasons that you may need to have a tooth extracted including decay, damage to the tooth, or even overcrowding. A simple extraction does not involve any surgical techniques whereas a surgical extraction might be necessary to remove a broken or fractured tooth or to extract a wisdom tooth that has not erupted through the gums. Most extractions are performed under local anesthesia.
Having a tooth extracted and they seem unsettling but it is a common procedure and is used to keep your mouth healthy. Your doctor will help you understand the healing time and recovery process to help ease any concerns you may have.
Why do I need a tooth extracted?
The most common reason the patient may need to have a tooth extracted is severe decay. When a cavity develops and reaches the innermost part of the tooth, called the pulp, the tooth may become infected. An infection in the pulp can often be remedied with root canal treatment but when that does not work, the tooth may need to be extracted.
Another reason that you may need to have a tooth extracted is trauma. If you suffer a hit to the mouth such as in a car accident or during physical activities and your tooth becomes damaged or broken beyond repair, extraction may be the only option.
Additionally, patients with overcrowded teeth who are looking to have orthodontic treatment may need to have a tooth pulled. This really only happens if there is not enough room to shift the teeth into alignment.
The most commonly extracted teeth are the wisdom teeth, which most people do not have enough room in their mouth to accommodate. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, this means that they have not fully emerged through the gum tissue. The wisdom teeth actually develop perpendicular to the rest of your teeth so often, they actually push against your second molar and can cause pain and decay.
How long does a surgical extraction take to heal?
The healing time for a surgical extraction can be a bit longer than a simple extraction, typically between three and four weeks. There are of course variables that can affect how long healing takes such as the complexity of the extraction as well as the patient's overall health. Typically, the gum tissue at the extraction site will heal within two weeks but complete healing of the bone and take several weeks.
While you are healing, it is important to take care of the extraction site to make sure healing is as quick and painless as possible. Your doctor will provide postoperative instructions that should be followed for best results. You will likely be recommended to stick to soft foods as well as avoiding anything very hot in temperature.
A little swelling is normal and within a few days, will begin to subside. Minor pain can also be expected but can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication like Tylenol or ibuprofen. A cold compress can help relieve symptoms of swelling and it is a good idea to gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water after you eat to clear the site of any food particles. If you have stitches placed, they may be removed after about a week and if they are dissolvable, will begin to do so on their own.
One problem that can arise as you heal is dry socket. Dry socket can be very painful and happens when the blood clot that forms over the hole left after extraction becomes dislodged. This can happen by using a straw or eating hard foods. Dry socket exposes the bone and nerves to air, foods and liquids that you intake and can lead to infection and severe pain.
If you have to have a tooth surgically extracted, it is important to follow the post-op directions to make sure that your extraction site heals quickly and well.
