Due to the fear associated with sitting in the tooth extraction chair, tooth extractions may be postponed even when they are necessary. Delaying tooth extraction poses risks to both oral health and vital organs such as the heart and liver. Any type of tooth extraction can be safely performed under appropriate anesthesia by a specialist dentist. While the reasons for tooth extraction vary, the most significant one is often the patient’s inability to tolerate pain. Extraction should be a last resort in dental treatment. Deciding to extract a tooth and performing the procedure is challenging for specialist dentists, as the primary goal should be to save the tooth. Several factors need to be considered when deciding to extract a tooth.
Atlantic Dental Clinic, one of the top clinics in Istanbul, is renowned for tooth and wisdom tooth extractions. Patients seeking these procedures in Istanbul can contact our dental clinic for an appointment.
What is Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction involves removing severely damaged, decayed, infected, or crooked teeth, especially wisdom teeth. This common procedure helps eliminate bacteria from the affected tooth and improves overall oral health. Tooth extractions can be performed by a dentist or oral surgeon using local, general, intravenous anesthesia, or a combination thereof.
Why is a Tooth Extracted?
Dentists prefer to keep teeth whenever possible rather than extract them if other treatments are viable. Extraction may become necessary in the following situations:
– Severe tooth decay.
– Decay or fractures that cannot be treated with fillings, root canal treatment, or similar methods.
– Crooked or extra teeth obstructing the eruption of other teeth.
– Broken teeth.
– Impacted teeth.
– Impacted wisdom teeth causing pain and damage to adjacent teeth.
– Damage to the jawbone and tissue loss from severe gum disease.
– Infections in the affected tooth posing risks for patients undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplantation.
– Aesthetic issues with the appearance of the tooth.
– Teeth unable to function due to mobility.
– Luxation or other dental injuries causing tooth displacement.
– Tumors or cysts at the root of the tooth that cannot be removed.
If any of these conditions are present, tooth extraction may be necessary. The dentist at our clinic in Istanbul will make the most accurate decision regarding tooth extraction.
What Should be Done Before Tooth Extraction?
– An x-ray of the tooth will be taken for evaluation before planning any type of tooth extraction, including wisdom teeth extraction.
– The mouth and teeth should be cleaned before the procedure.
– Inform your dentist about any medications, vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are using. If you will be receiving intravenous bisphosphonate treatment for another condition soon, inform your dentist so the tooth can be extracted beforehand to avoid potential jawbone issues.
– Notify your dentist if you have congenital heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, thyroid disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, artificial joints, heart valve disorders, adrenal disease, immune system problems, or bacterial endocarditis.
– Antibiotic treatment may be administered before extraction if the procedure will be prolonged, if there is an infection, if the immune system is compromised, or if there is a known medical condition.
– For a successful extraction in Istanbul, wear loose, short-sleeved clothing if receiving intravenous (IV) anesthesia. Do not eat or drink anything 6-8 hours prior, avoid smoking, reschedule if you have a cold, and notify your dentist if you have nausea or vomiting that may require a different anesthesia. If you are receiving general anesthesia, have someone accompany you.
How is Tooth Extraction Done?
Tooth extraction is performed in two ways, depending on whether the tooth is visible or impacted:
Simple Tooth Extraction
The extraction area is numbed with local anesthesia, so no pain is felt, only pressure. The dentist uses an elevator to loosen the tooth and forceps to remove it.
Surgical Extraction
For severe cases such as impacted wisdom teeth, both local and intravenous anesthesia are administered, and sometimes general anesthesia if needed. The dentist or oral surgeon makes a small incision in the gum to access the tooth. If necessary, bone around the tooth may be removed before extraction. The gum is stitched afterward. The difficulty of the procedure depends on the tooth’s root structure and its connection to the bone. While loose or displaced teeth are easier to extract, those with irregular root structures or severe decay may require extraction in pieces.
What Should be Done After Tooth Extraction?
– After extraction, the dentist places cotton or gauze on the operation site to stop bleeding and aid in blood clot formation. Bite on the gauze for 20-25 minutes and avoid changing it frequently. A blood clot is essential for healing; without it, recovery will be delayed and painful.
– If pain occurs after extraction, take painkillers recommended by your dentist. Avoid aspirin due to its blood-thinning effect, which can prevent clotting. Pain from the anesthesia needles will usually subside within 2 days.
– Slight bleeding resembling leakage for up to 24 hours is normal. If bleeding is intense, use clean, sterile cotton to create a tampon for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, consult your dentist immediately. Avoid gargling, as it can increase bleeding.
– Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol for at least 72 hours, as these can prevent blood clot formation.
– Avoid excessively hot or cold foods and drinks to prevent restarting bleeding. Consume warm and soft foods.
– If the extraction was difficult, apply cold compresses for 5-10 minutes every hour for 8 hours to control swelling and bruising.
– If the tooth root breaks during extraction, the dentist will decide whether to remove it based on the root’s dimensions, the extraction site’s condition, and other factors. The dentist will determine whether to remove the root immediately or leave it in place for future consideration.
– Avoid touching the extraction site with your tongue or any object, as this can impede healing.
– Mild pain on the day of extraction and the following days is normal. If severe pain persists despite painkillers, there may be an infection or other complications. Consult your dentist for necessary treatment and relief.
Does Tooth Extraction Hurt?
Many patients worry about pain during tooth extraction, but local anesthesia ensures there is no pain during the procedure, only pressure. In Istanbul, dentists check for numbness before starting and proceed accordingly. Mild pain or discomfort may last 2-3 days post-extraction, depending on the pain threshold and the procedure’s complexity. If the tooth was infected or the extraction was difficult, pain might last longer, and dentist-recommended painkillers can help.
What Are Wisdom Teeth? Is Wisdom Teeth Extraction Necessary?
Teeth are classified based on location and function. Front teeth break food into smaller pieces, while back teeth (molars) grind it. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last to develop, usually between ages 17 and 21, and may not be visible. Sometimes, wisdom teeth do not erupt and may remain hidden beneath the gums. X-rays can reveal impacted wisdom teeth, which can cause severe pain if not properly addressed.
