Restoring Your Oral Health
While extractions may be a worry for some patients, our dentists and the team at Hunter & King Dentistry prioritize treatments for our Victoria patients' smiles that don't involve the removal of natural tooth structures if possible.
Nonetheless, situations can occur where problematic teeth may lead to infection, damage or pain if not removed from the mouth. When this is the case, the extraction of one or more teeth can help to relieve pain and restore a patient's good oral health.
If you require an extraction to restore your oral health we will do all we can to ensure that you remain relaxed and comfortable throughout the procedure.
Tooth Extractions
A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. Teeth extractions usually occur when a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay and there is too much damage for the tooth to be repaired by a filling or crown. Other reasons include extra teeth growing in that are blocking others or baby teeth that haven’t fallen out in time for the permanent teeth to come in.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
People between the ages of 17 and 25 will grow wisdom teeth (also called third molars). For some people, wisdom teeth turn out not to be fully functional or may begin to cause the serious crowding of other teeth leading to oral health issues. If this is the case for you, our dentists may recommend having your wisdom teeth extracted in order to preserve your oral health.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
Read our frequently asked questions about tooth extractions and wisdom tooth removal at our Victoria dental clinic.
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What causes the need for tooth extraction?
There are a number of reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted.
Often it is recommended when a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay and there is too much damage for the tooth to be repaired by a filling or crown.
However, there are other reasons for tooth extraction, including extra teeth growing in that are blocking others, baby teeth that haven’t fallen out in time for the permanent teeth to come in, braces, or wisdom teeth that are commonly removed for medical reasons.
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When and why are wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth are the very last teeth to develop, and they grow in the very back of the mouth. In most cases, you will start to feel these teeth emerge when you are in your late teens or early twenties.
Unfortunately, wisdom teeth are problematic for many people. There is usually very little space available for these teeth to grow in straight. Wisdom teeth often need to be removed since they tend to grow at a severely slanted angle and will likely bump into other teeth and cause crowding.
Ultimately, about 85% of adults end up having their wisdom teeth removed.
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What does recovery from a tooth extraction entail?
Tooth extraction is typically a very fast process—we will use anesthesia to ensure you’re comfortable.
The most critical part of the process is recovery.
We need to ensure we control the bleeding and encourage a proper healing process immediately following the tooth extraction.
This involves having you bite down on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes to form a blood clot—you must be extremely careful not to disturb the blood clot for the next 24 hours.
To manage the swelling, we recommend an ice pack on the outer check, and once the swelling has gone down, a warm compress to the same area for comfort.
Gentle rinses with warm salt water also help keep the extraction area clean.
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How do I prevent dry socket after tooth extraction?
When you have a tooth extracted, you develop a blood clot shortly after the surgery to begin the healing process. If this blood clot becomes dislodged before your mouth has fully healed it can cause pain, this is called dry socket.
Six tips for avoiding dry socket are:
- Avoid using drinking straws or anything that creates a suction movement of air and cheek muscles.
- Avoid smoking tobacco as fast inhalation can dislodge your blood clot and the chemicals may prevent healing or cause an infection.
- Eat soft foods only during your healing process. Some suggestions include applesauce, yogurt, and mashed potatoes for the first one or two days.
- Inquire about any medicines you’re taking to ensure they don’t interact with the healing process.
- Maintain proper oral hygiene to keep your mouth clean and consider an antibacterial mouthwash
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on proper oral care to improve recovery time.