Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is one of the dental interventions that patients are particularly afraid of. Although the basic principle of the dental profession is to save the tooth, in some situations extraction is set as the only solution.

Although permanent teeth should last a lifetime, sometimes there are reasons why tooth extraction is necessary. These are the following indications:

• advanced deep caries;
• dentogenic infection;
• periodontopathy;
• traumatic tooth injury;
• excessive teeth;
• impacted teeth.

Advanced deep caries and tooth extraction

Long-term untreated or neglected carious lesions can destroy the crown and root of the tooth so much that the only way to prevent neighboring teeth from being endangered is to extract the diseased tooth. Dentists from Dr. Veselinović’s clinic will try to save the tooth first by applying endodontic therapy, and subsequently by using an apicoectomy. If none of these procedures yield results, extraction remains.

Infections of teeth and surrounding tissue

Dentogenic infections also occur as a result of caries, that is, tooth disease and inflammation of the periodontal tissue (pericoronitis). They can spread from the infected tooth to neighboring teeth and involve the entire jaw if they are not repaired in time. They occur in the form of abscess, fistula, phlegmon and infiltrate, and are usually accompanied by swelling

Periodontopathy

Periodontopathy is a serious and very progressive disease of the periodontium (the supporting apparatus of the teeth) and in an advanced stage the teeth cannot be saved.

Traumatic dental injuries

Injuries to the supporting apparatus of the teeth are common in children’s age because children are prone to falls and accidental blows, all of which are classified as traumatic damage to the teeth. If there is a strong blunt impact before the teeth have yet erupted, it is possible that some of them will come out defective. Even later, in adulthood, when the dental row is visible and complete, an injury can occur that requires extraction.

Excessive teeth

In jaws of insufficient width, anxiety sometimes occurs because the teeth are too large. This is a common case in patients who inherited a narrow jaw from one parent and large teeth from the other. Then the problem of too many teeth arises, which is solved by a combination of: extraction and orthodontic therapy. Namely, before placing a fixed prosthesis, sometimes a certain tooth must be removed so that the others have space to be properly distributed and take the appropriate position.

Tooth impaction

Impacted teeth can also be the result of insufficient space in the jaws, but they also occur when there is some obstacle to their sprouting. In most patients, the upper and lower wisdom teeth are impacted, followed by the upper incisors and canines, as well as the lower premolars. Unerupted teeth, which usually grow at a certain angle, are surgically removed

Basic, complicated and surgical tooth extractions are carried out at Dr. Veselinović DentalClinic. All three interventions are routine procedures for our team of dentists, i.e. oral surgeons

Basic tooth extraction is applied to teeth with a preserved crown and visible in the jaws. It is performed by simply applying pliers to the crown of the tooth and pulling the tooth out after loosening it. The procedure is not painful and the patient can immediately resume his daily activities after a simple tooth extraction. However, it is necessary to avoid greater physical efforts and exposure to the sun.

Complicated tooth extraction is reserved for destroyed teeth in which the crown is fractured or mostly destroyed by caries. Also, in cases where the roots of the teeth must be separated and extracted individually.

This type of extraction is also applicable to teeth in which a part of the root was left during the previous extraction or in case of traumatic tooth extraction from the cup.

Surgical tooth extraction is indicated when there is root curvature or other complicated conditions in the alveolar bone.

This intervention is performed by an oral surgeon, who then cuts the alveolar bone, extracts the remaining roots and then sews up the cut.

Sutures are removed after 6-7 days.

Tooth extraction must be preceded by a dental examination and X-ray imaging of the teeth. Imaging is done in the X-ray room at our clinic, which speeds up the procedure in many ways and makes the situation easier for patients

Tooth extraction, regardless of the type, is mostly performed under local anesthesia, which makes it painless for the patient. For baby teeth, a topical anesthetic is usually applied in the form of a spray or gel. Adult patients are injected with anesthesia using a syringe and needle.

Postoperatively, it is advised to keep gauze between the teeth for 1–2 hours to stop the bleeding. It is advisable to apply cold compresses on the outside of the cheek in order to stop the bleeding and prevent possible swelling.

Additionally, it is advised not to rinse the mouth with water or hygienic solution for 1–2 hours after extraction. This is because a coagulum forms at the site of the extracted tooth, which speeds up healing and makes it less painful

To reduce pain, the dentist can prescribe analgesics if necessary, and if a dentogenic infection was present, antibiotic therapy is continued.

The teeth should be washed normally, with a soft brush and gentle movements, the only thing that should be avoided is the area where the tooth was extracted. Also, the patient can eat normally when the anesthesia wears off, but softer foods should be chosen. Smoking 48 hours after this procedure is not recommended, nor is excessive physical activity.