Emergency Tooth Extraction
When a tooth is badly decayed or damaged and cannot be saved, it must be professionally removed through a procedure called a tooth extraction. Extractions are commonly performed on teeth that are severely decayed or broken, or in cases where the mouth does not have space for the tooth– as is the case with most wisdom teeth extractions or extractions performed in conjunction to orthodontic treatment. While many patients may be in pain prior to an extraction, the actual extraction procedure is virtually painless and many patients heal quickly and resume normal functions within a reasonable time post-procedure.
When Is Emergency Tooth Extraction Necessary?:
Broken tooth
Many things can cause teeth to break. Sometimes it might be an accident, and other times it can be because of the energy absorbed by the teeth, which causes a fracture.
The teeth absorb energy each time we bite down or chew on food. The force from the bite might put excessive strain on the lower molars when the teeth don’t fit together properly.
In addition, having a root canal or filling increases your chance of breaking a tooth. In the case you have a cracked tooth below the gum line, extraction would be necessary.
Dental decay
An emergency dentist will recommend tooth extraction when dental decay has progressed to the point where it cannot be repaired. Bacteria attack the pulp region when a tooth becomes decayed, leading to an infection.
In most cases, decay is treated with a root canal, but in cases of severe infection, the tooth must be taken to cure the infection and stop it from spreading.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Infections of the gums, periodontal ligaments, and other tooth components including the alveolar bone are all examples of periodontal diseases.
Periodontal disease is readily avoidable by brushing your teeth frequently and keeping plaque from accumulating on your teeth and gums. By extracting the affected tooth, an emergency dentist will concentrate on limiting additional damage. A non-emergency dentist, on the other hand, will concentrate on restoring the health of the teeth and other supporting components.
Impacted Teeth
Impacted teeth are those that partially erupt or emerge from under the gums as a result of an obstruction. This is primarily the situation with the wisdom tooth.
To stop an impacted tooth from hurting nearby teeth, an emergency tooth extraction is performed. Also, by removing the impacted tooth, the risk of gum infection and crowding is reduced. Another justification for seeing an emergency dentist and having an impacted wisdom tooth extracted is the possibility of severe and ongoing discomfort.
In certain circumstances, impacted teeth may not have any immediate issues, but they are more likely than other teeth to get an infection, gum disease, or decay.
Overcrowding teeth
We often suggest that you should only consume as much as your body can process. The same rule applies to your teeth; you shouldn’t have more than can fit in your mouth. If you have a case of overcrowding, tooth extraction would be recommended.
The extra teeth can cause gum infection and harm to the jaws if they are not removed or treated. Moreover, it can result in crooked teeth since the extra tooth will occupy the available space and push the other teeth out of alignment.
Teeth that are out of place present unique complications and difficulties. So, it is preferable to have excess teeth pulled in order to guarantee successful outcomes; you must go to an emergency dentist.
- Your tooth is too damaged by a fracture or deep cavity to repair.
- You have a sizable infection that cannot be resolved by a root canal alone.
- You have teeth that are blocking other teeth from coming in. These may be extra teeth or baby teeth that have not fallen out yet.
- You are getting braces and need to get rid of a tooth that is crowding others.
Wisdom teeth, which typically come in during your teens or twenties, may need to be extracted if they are decayed, infected, or causing pain. They may get impacted—stuck underneath other teeth—which also requires extraction.
Most visible teeth can be removed with a simple extraction, where your dentist loosens the tooth, then removes it carefully with forceps. This procedure typically requires just a local anesthetic (an injection) and often only takes a few minutes to complete.
In more complex cases a surgical extraction may be needed if:
- The tooth has broken off at the gum line.
- The tooth hasn’t come in yet (wisdom teeth, for example)
- The tooth has especially large or curved roots
During a surgical extraction, a local anesthetic may be provided. Both procedures are virtually painless, although you might feel pressure or pulling.
Tip: Don’t smoke on the day of surgery, as it can increase the chance of dry socket, a painful condition that occurs when a blood clot doesn’t form in the hole, breaks off, or breaks down too early.
Wisdom teeth extraction is a common type of tooth extraction that can require either simple or surgical extraction. Everyone is born with wisdom teeth, although not all teeth will erupt and not everyone has all four wisdom teeth. If your wisdom teeth are positioned correctly they do not need to be removed and will not cause dental problems. Only an x-ray of the area can accurately
Often there is not enough space for wisdom teeth to erupt behind the molars, and the teeth must therefore be removed or there is a risk for crowding. It is common to feel pain or pressure from wisdom teeth movement, although many patients may never feel any signs that wisdom teeth should be removed.
Wisdom teeth that have erupted, grown in, may need to be extracted if they are crowding other teeth, decayed, infected or causing pain. Wisdom teeth often grow in during a person’s late teens or twenties, although many older adults also have their wisdom teeth removed. A simple extraction is performed to pop the teeth out of their socket, and a healing process of several weeks regrows the tissue to cover the hole where the tooth once was.
Impacted wisdom teeth are fully developed wisdom teeth that lie below the jaw bone. Impacted teeth must be removed surgically, a procedure during which the oral surgeon numbs the region and cuts through the jaw bone and tissues to uncover and extract the teeth. Surgical extractions require sutures to close the incision where the dentist removed the teeth.
Directly following a tooth extraction, you’ll be asked to keep gauze on the extraction site to help the blood clot. It’s important to protect this clot as the wound heals. Eat soft foods, and don’t smoke, use a straw or spit, as these actions can dislodge the clot.
Managing pain from a tooth extraction is top priority, since most people feel some discomfort or pain after having a tooth extracted. Your oral surgeon may prescribe antibiotics to treat or prevent infection. You can take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen to help relieve the pain. Your dentist can recommend the dosage that’s right for you. Use of icepacks can decrease any swelling in the jaw or cheeks. If your jaw is still stiff after any swelling has subsided, alternate cold packs with warm compresses.
In general, swelling and bleeding last only a day or two after the extraction and any pain from a tooth extraction should subside after a few days. Don’t smoke on the day of surgery, as it can increase the chance of dry socket, a painful condition that occurs when a blood clot doesn’t form in the hole, breaks off, or breaks down too early.
If you have bleeding that won’t stop, you might require an immediate tooth extraction. An emergency situation exists if a permanent tooth has been knocked out or if one is loose. An emergency is indicated if your jaw is hurt, the area is swollen, or you are experiencing excruciating tooth pain.
When determining when to see an emergency dentist for possible tooth extraction, keep an eye out for these symptoms:
- Severe Pain: You are experiencing constant, intolerable pain.
- Bleeding: Gum and tooth bleeding is another indication that you should seek emergency dental care. Bleeding typically results from fractures, loose teeth, jaw injuries, infections or gum disease.
- Gum swelling is another indication that you need to see an emergency dentist right away.
For at least 24 hours after your tooth extraction, you should restrict your diet to soft meals and liquids. Attempt to limit your diet to simple items for a few days. Start with picking ice cream, yogurt, pudding, Jell-O, and other cold, soft foods.
If you have bleeding that won’t stop, you might require an immediate tooth extraction. An emergency situation exists if a permanent tooth has been knocked out or if one is loose. An emergency is indicated if your jaw is hurt, the area is swollen, or you are experiencing excruciating tooth pain.
When determining when to see an emergency dentist for possible tooth extraction, keep an eye out for these symptoms:
- Severe Pain: You are experiencing constant, intolerable pain.
- Bleeding: Gum and tooth bleeding is another indication that you should seek emergency dental care. Bleeding typically results from fractures, loose teeth, jaw injuries, infections or gum disease.
- Gum swelling is another indication that you need to see an emergency dentist right away.
For at least 24 hours after your tooth extraction, you should restrict your diet to soft meals and liquids. Attempt to limit your diet to simple items for a few days. Start with picking ice cream, yogurt, pudding, Jell-O, and other cold, soft foods.
We provide high-quality dental care in state-of-the-art facilities, which feature a modern look, coffee bar, and special play and treatment rooms for kids.
Our doctors and dental team provide a thorough professional exam, every time, taking special care to:
- Deliver a comfortable, hassle-free dental visit
- Attend to any immediate issues you may have, including relieving pain from dental emergencies
- Answer your questions so that you can make informed health decisions
- Explain any procedures in your language of preference
- Teach you how to keep your mouth healthy