Tooth extraction is a simple and effective way to treat a tooth that has broken off or become infected. It involves removing the damaged part of the tooth so the bone and tooth beneath are healthy and can continue to grow.

It’s important to remember that a tooth should never be extracted without expert advice and supervision, as this is a major dental operation and carries risks.

You’ll be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area and allow the dentist to work. You may also be given a sedative to make the experience more comfortable.

In most cases, the tooth can be extracted without the use of any special instruments or techniques. If the tooth needs to be removed it may be possible to do it with an instrument called a drill or a dental handpiece.

If your tooth is badly damaged or infected, a root canal may be necessary. If a tooth is badly decayed or infected, it may be possible to save it. If it cannot be saved, it may be removed and replaced with a crown or implant.

Once the tooth is removed, the socket will be cleaned and any remaining bacteria will be treated. The gum will be checked for any signs of infection and treated if necessary. The area will be dressed with antiseptic, and you’ll receive pain relief medication.

You may need to wear a splint to protect the jaw while it heals.

How long does it take?

This depends on the size of the tooth, your age and medical condition. Most extractions only take around 10 minutes, but it may take longer if you’re an older person or have a medical problem.

What is it?

Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth for one of two reasons. The first is to prevent an infection spreading through the tooth into the jaw or to relieve pain. This is known as a tooth root canal.

The second reason is when the tooth has become so damaged that it is no longer viable and has to be removed. This is known as a tooth extraction.

What are the benefits?

There are a number of benefits to having a tooth extracted. It’s a fast and painless procedure and doesn’t require any complicated techniques.

There are several advantages to extracting a tooth. It stops the tooth causing further damage to the bone and the jaw. It can relieve pain in the area where the tooth was.

The tooth can be treated to stop further infection.

It can be used to treat severe tooth decay or trauma.

What are the risks and complications?

A tooth extraction is a relatively straightforward procedure, but there are some risks that may need to be considered. These include:

Infection – the tooth may have become infected and this can spread to the jawbone and surrounding tissue. You could end up needing antibiotics to prevent this happening.

Jawbone loss – because the jawbone contains blood vessels, it can be damaged by an infection or the removal of the tooth.

Dry socket – Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) is a painful dental condition that sometimes happens after you have a permanent adult tooth extracted. Dry socket is when the blood clot at the site of the tooth extraction fails to develop, or it dislodges or dissolves before the wound has healed.

Other medical conditions – you may have other medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease that could cause problems during or after the extraction.

Your doctor will discuss these risks with you before the procedure.