General

Dental Extraction

If you’re having a dental extraction soon, you may be wondering how the procedure works.

Understanding Tooth Extraction

There are several reasons why this might be needed:

If teeth are broken or decayed and can’t be repaired, dental extraction might be the best or only option.
Tooth removal can provide pain relief by removing the cause of your issue
If your mouth is overcrowded, tooth extraction might be necessary to aid orthodontic procedures
Removal of an infected tooth can prevent an infection from spreading to the oral cavity and any surrounding teeth

Solutions for Replacing Missing Teeth

Replacing missing teeth comes with many benefits like helping to boost your confidence, chewing better, improving speech and more. There are few options to choose from, but your dentist is best placed to discuss your suitability to each, here are some of them:

Implant-Supported Restorations

This treatment involves placing a titanium screw into the jawbone to act as a tooth root. This can then support bridges, crowns and dentures to give your teeth a natural-looking fixed replacement. Implants are a durable solution which when maintained well can last for many years.

Custom Dental Bridges

A bridge is a prosthetic fitting which replaces gaps and missing teeth. This is secured at each end by a crown and is fixed in place. Bridge are usually made out of a ceramic material to mimic the shape size and appearance of the missing tooth. Dental bridges can prevent potential future problems like bite distortion and help to improve aesthetics and your chewing function.

Denture Options

Dentures are removable false teeth and can be made from various materials like acrylic, nylon and metal. You can get a full set of dentures which may replace all your lower and upper teeth and fit over your jawbone and gums. Partial dentures are used to replace a few missing teeth, and in some cases, may include the use of clasps which attach to your natural teeth. In certain clinical cases, metal-free flexible dentures may be an option for convenience and comfort. Dentures can improve your ability to eat and speak, prevent dental issues, maintain alignment and protect your gums and teeth.

Getting Ready for Your Tooth Extraction

If you have any concerns or questions, make sure you ask your dentist before your tooth extraction appointment. They can give you any reassurance or answers that you need to put you at ease. Your dentist will tell you anything specific they need you to do before the day of the removal.

Pain Management and Anaesthesia Choices

Your dentist will do everything they can to make sure you feel okay. Local anaesthesia numbs the area around your tooth so you feel minimal discomfort during the procedure. Dental sedation may also be an option to reduce anxiety before and during the procedure. This is a safe procedure during which you will be less aware, but still conscious, resulting in reduced pain and anxiety.

Explore Our Range of Dental Services

As well as dental extraction, we have a range of other services as well. These vary depending on the Rodericks Dental Partners practice you go to, but they may include:

General services like fillings, check-ups, sedation, snoring, sports guards and teeth grinding appliances.
Services for children like fissure sealants, mouth guards and fluoride varnish
Hygiene appointments like airflow, gum disease treatment and oral hygiene advice.
Restorative solutions like dental implants, dentures, inlays and onlays as well as crowns and bridges
Straightening treatments like fixed braces, children’s braces, removable braces and Invisalign® clear aligners
Cosmetic services like composite bonding, teeth whitening, veneers, facial aesthetics and smile makeovers

Discover More with Rodericks Dental Partners

We’re proud to have over 200 practices across the UK. Each practice has a team of friendly and experienced dentists who are happy to answer any questions about your dental extraction. We provide high-quality treatments and make sure both our private and NHS patients feel at ease when with us.

We know that procedures like tooth removal can cause anxiety, which is why we do everything we can to make you feel comfortable. You’ll find modern state-of-the-art technology in each of our practices, so you know you’re in safe hands. To make our dental care accessible, we have a range of pricing plans to choose from as well. Visit one of our practices today to find out more about our tooth extraction procedure.

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How it works

Initial Assessment and Preparation

An x-ray will be taken to plan the tooth removal. This will examine the condition of the tooth and its position, as well as examining the roots. When it comes to the procedure itself, local anaesthetic will be added to numb the tooth and its surrounding area. This makes sure you are comfortable and pain free during the extraction process.

The Extraction Process

The procedure will begin with either a loosening instrument, incision, or your tooth will be sectioned into small pieces. Your dentist will take great care during the dental tooth extraction to carefully remove your tooth.

Post-Procedure Care and Recovery

Your dentist will give you comprehensive instructions for post-operative care. Your dentists may also suggest a follow-up appointments to check everything is okay.

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A word from our patients

We always want to make sure our patients have an exceptional experience and leave our practices with happy smiles. Here are some of our most recent success stories.

I had an extraction yesterday! I don't know what I would do if I didn't have my dentist to go to.

FAQs

Who would benefit from a tooth extraction?

Tooth extraction could be recommended for a variety of reasons. The most common are: In an overcrowded mouth. Tooth removal may be required before orthodontic treatments can begin. Orthodontic treatment aims to achieve the correct alignment for teeth, and sometimes tooth extraction can provide the space required to allow orthodontic appliances to achieve their goals. When the tooth is severely decayed or traumatised beyond repair. The tooth may become at risk of infection, and — if the dentist is unable to repair the tooth — extraction may be the most suitable treatment to prevent any infection from spreading. Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the bones and soft tissues that surround and support the teeth. In some cases of severe periodontal disease, the teeth may become loose, infected or painful — and tooth removal may be the only suitable treatment.

What are the complications of tooth removal?

All surgery has its risks. Problems with pain, bleeding, bruising, swelling, numbness and infection can happen after any operation. One of the common complications is dry socket — this is where the blood clot has come out of the socket, leaving it open for bacteria to get in and create an infection. This results in pain continuing and sometimes worsening a few days after the extraction. If this happens, we would ask you to return to the practice for the dentist to assess and place a dressing into the tooth socket to aid the healing and fight off the infection. Other complications include damage to adjacent teeth, nerve injury, jaw injury, sinus problems and retained roots. If you have any concerns, we advise you to speak to your dentist; they will always take time to assess you and provide you with answers to any questions you have.

What should I eat after a tooth extraction?

After a dental extraction, it’s common to feel pain or discomfort which can make chewing certain foods challenging. Soft foods and liquids will be easiest to eat for the first 2-3 days. Consider the temperature of the food, too; very hot or very cold foods may cause soreness in the area. Foods like lukewarm soup, smoothies or scrambled eggs will reduce the risk of discomfort when eating after having a tooth extracted.

What options do I have for the space left after a dental extraction?

There are several options for tooth replacement. Your dentist will discuss the options with you at your assessment appointment. Options usually include dentures, bridges or implants.

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