Tooth Extraction

An extraction may be required when a tooth is broken or too damaged to be restored.

What is a tooth extraction?

A tooth extraction is a dental procedure where a tooth is completely removed including the root.

An extraction may be necessary when a tooth is too severely damaged or decayed to be saved and no other treatments options are available.

Wisdom teeth that cause pain, discomfort or affect adjoining teeth may also need to be extracted.

Your dentist will begin by numbing the area around the tooth with a local anaesthetic. Using special instruments, the tooth is loosened and then completely removed.

For wisdom teeth or teeth that are broken below the gum line, an incision in the gum will be made in order to access the tooth.

What happens after the extraction

Following an extraction, the gum may sometimes need to be sutured.

Your dentist will ensure that the healing process begins normally. Some bleeding is normal and a blood clot should form soon after the extraction. It is important to take care not to dislodge the blood clot if at all possible.

It is important that you do NOT rinse out your mouth on the day of treatment.

Your mouth may feel a little sore once the anaesthetic wears off. This may last a day or two after the extraction. Swelling can be reduced with an ice pack for periods of around 10 minutes at a time.

In the first few days following the extraction, avoid chewing, drinking hot drinks, smoking, using mouthwash or brushing the extraction area.

For more information regarding this treatment