I have a broken tooth; can it still be pulled? Surgical extractions explained by our dentist
When most people think of dental extractions, they probably picture a pair of quite concerning pliers and a dental team pulling back at an odd angle.
Luckily, with modern advances in dental technology, if you need to have a tooth extracted it can be done without using a piece of string and a door handle! In fact, thanks to many new tools which are used to extract teeth, this once lengthy procedure can be done in minutes.
But what if you are one of the many people who need a tooth extracted that has broken off below gum level?
At Family Dental Care, our dentist in Doncaster East can provide a range of options to remove rotten or broken teeth quickly and painlessly, while also reducing stress and pressure on the jaw bone and socket. With our expert aftercare, you can rest assured that your gum will heal quickly, after which we can begin discussing suitable restorations. Perfect!
But back to that initial query, is the procedure the same if the tooth is broken or decayed below the gum?
Surgical extractions
In short, yes; our dentist in Doncaster East will probably use the same tools to extract a tooth which has broken off at gum level as they would with any other extraction.
However, if you have a tooth which has cracked, decayed or fractured, our dentist in Doncaster East will need to perform a surgical extraction to remove it correctly.
As the name suggests, a surgical extraction will involve some surgical incisions into the gum to help our team get better access to the concealed parts of the tooth. We will probably also perform an X-ray before proceeding, so we can better prepare to remove the entire tooth from under the gum.
Discomfort
Of course, before any extraction can take place, our team will numb the required areas to ensure you are comfortable during the treatment.
However, due to the level of numbing agents that we will use, once they begin to wear off you may notice an itching sensation under your gums; this is normal and will gradually fade. But you may experience quite an intense discomfort following a surgical extraction, so we recommend purchasing some pain relief to manage this before the appointment,
Aftercare
Due to the surgical incisions, our team will probably need to apply stitches to close the gum around the socket and to promote faster healing and to prevent infection.
These stitches may or may not be dissolvable, but we will need to see you in the 2 weeks following your extraction to check on healing.
Avoid hot (spicy) foods, do not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes and refrain from brushing near the extraction site as this can aggravate the stitches. Purchase soft but nutritious foods for the next 7 days, like soups, mashable vegetables and soft fruits.
If you notice any worsening discomfort, swelling, nausea, discolouration, a foul odour or taste come back and see our team, as you may have an infection.
DISCLAIMER
All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.
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