Reasons for tooth extraction:
It becomes loose due to severe gum disease
Breaks by accident
Tooth decay or serious infection
Lack of space, e.g. impacted wisdom tooth
Crooked teeth due to lack of space in mouth, to make space for orthodontic treatment
Having an extra tooth that prevents others from coming out of the gum

The procedure
Your dentist gives you and anaesthetic injection. When the area is numb, the dentist will loosen the tooth with special instruments, and once it is wobbly he removes it with a forceps. It may be slightly uncomfortable but it is not painful. Then the dentist presses on the site for a while and you have to bite on a piece of gauze to stop the bleeding.
If the tooth is already damaged sometimes small pieces of it are left behind and it might be necessary to incise the area to approach deeper parts. In these instances few stitches are put in place which are removed in a week. Very small proportion of people are so afraid of dental treatment that they have to be put under general anaesthesia in a hospital environment in order to remove teeth.

Types of tooth removal
Simple extraction-usual type of removal for teeth that are in the mouth and erupted)
Surgical extraction-in case of teeth that are difficult to access,

After extraction
Bleeding for 30 minutes
If there is any bleeding during the following days, bite on a clean handkerchief and sit up
Your dentist will give you painkillers, mouth wash (but you should rinse carefully) and instructions about oral hygiene
Pain, swelling, stiffness for 3-4 day
After meals gently rinse the area with warm salt water
Small fragments of bones can appear at the site, that is normal
If stitches were placed, they are removed in a week
Continue with usual tooth brushing being careful at the site
Alcohol and smoking should be avoided

Contact your dentist immediately if:
Bleeding does not stop in 30 minutes
Fever
Severe pain, not relieved by painkillers
Swelling of face for more than 2 days after the operation
Difficulty breathing or swallowing

Possible complications
They are very rare but it is important to know about them.
Excessive, prolonged bleeding
Reaction to the anaesthetic
Infection of the socket
Swelling
Sinus exposure, oral-antral communication (oral cavity communicates with maxillary sinus)
Nerve injury, especially in case of 3^rd molars
Dry socket syndrome (when blood clot fails to form in the tooth socket or it was lost and the healing process gets disturbed). They occur more often after complicated extractions and they are usually manifested 3-4 days after the extraction with moderate to severe dull throbbing pain and can radiate towards the ear.
In these cases you have to inform your dentist immediately and you might need some extra appointments.

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Office: Aspect Court, 47 Park Square East, Leeds, LS1 2NL, Phone: +441133466001, Fax: +441133944101

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