Tooth extraction is tooth removal due to tooth decay, trauma, crowding, or tooth infection. The procedure is pretty standard for those getting braces as a tooth or two may be uprooted.

Before proceeding with the extraction, the dentist will take an x-ray of the patient’s teeth to understand the extent of tooth extraction needed. At this stage, the patient must disclose all the medication they are under and any prior and current medical ailments. Seeing a specialist for Midtown West tooth extractions can help carry out this procedure if you are a qualified candidate. 

Tooth extractions can be done by using an elevator to make the tooth loose and removing it using a pair of forceps after numbing the area, or it can be done surgically. A surgical extraction involves administering anesthesia and removing the tooth from the bone or cutting a part of the bone.

Like any procedure, this too has a couple of complications that every you should be aware of. They are as follows: 

Alveolar Osteitis:

Popularly known as a dry socket, if a blood clot is blocked, the nerve under the gums gets exposed to air and other debris, causing a painful infection. Contact your dentist to help alleviate the pain if, after the surgery, the throbbing pain continues.

Numbness of the Lips:

Though rare, one cannot rule out the possibility of experiencing numbness of the lips. During the procedure, the tooth extracted may be near to the inferior alveolar nerve, especially if the tooth extracted is a molar or premolar. The numbness of the lip or jaw should be temporary; if not, contact your dentist immediately.

Pain and Inflammation:

The most common side effect for all surgeries would be pain and swelling after the procedure is complete at the surgery site. The pain should stop within three to five days. If the pain becomes severe, it is highly advisable to go back to the dentist’s office to understand the reason and get treated.

Limited Mouth Opening:

Patients can experience temporary trismus post-surgery. Trismus is the discomfort to open the mouth as there might be stiffness in the jaw. Your dentist can prescribe you treatment if the jaw stiffness is prolonged. Muscle relaxants, heat therapy, jaw opening devices, or pain medication can be given depending on the patient’s condition.

Bleeding: 

After the procedure, a blood clot forming in the surgery site within the initial hours after the procedure is very common. The doctor will instruct you to consume soft or semi-solid foods, avoid rinsing with salt water, and avoid smoking to prevent further bleeding.

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