Complications That May Arise After a Tooth Extraction Procedure

Mississauga tooth extractions is a form of outpatient orthodontic treatment where one or more teeth are taken out by a dentist. This can be so as to save the adjacent teeth and improve overall oral health. For instance, a tooth that’s been severely damaged by tooth decay puts the adjacent teeth and jaw bone on which it’s attached to further risk. Here a tooth extraction is duly necessary.

People get their teeth pulled out for a number of reasons including:

• Alignment issues – If you have teeth that are misaligned, with some not fitting correctly into the jawbone, then removing the excess teeth can solve the problem.
• Impacted wisdom teeth – Sometimes, there isn’t enough space in the mouth, and new sprouting wisdom teeth become impacted within the gums. In such a case the teeth are pulled out to create more space
• Dental Trauma – Some injuries taken dues to trauma can leave a tooth/teeth completely bashed out or fractured. If they can’t be repaired by dental crowns or fillings, then extraction is necessary
• Tooth decay – Tooth decay is one of the reasons teeth are pulled out, that is if the damage is extensive enough into the pulp and risks degrading the jawbone
• Preparation for braces – Preparation for dental prosthetics such as dental braces may involve the removal of one or more teeth.

Tooth Extraction Procedures

The procedure comes in two forms, the simple extraction, and surgical extraction. In both procedures, your dentist administers a sedative to make it as comfortable as possible. It minimises pain and reduces anxiety if you have dental fears. If it’s an impacted wisdom tooth being pulled out, it’s first broken down into small pieces before extraction.

Simple extraction: This involves the removal of a tooth that is clearly visible in the mouth. It mostly involves severely damaged or decayed teeth, or removing a tooth in preparation for dentures.

Surgical: Surgical extraction at Dr. Jeff Levman involves the removal of teeth that are below the gum line and are not visible. These could be impacted teeth below the gum line or a tooth that’s partially broken off. General anaesthesia is administered during a surgical extraction. You may be issued with painkillers and antibiotics after the removal.

Complications and What to Expect

Dry Socket

Dry socket is the most prevalent complication after a tooth extraction procedure. On average, 3-4% of tooth extraction cases have a dry socket complication. It occurs when a blood clot doesn’t form in the hole left after removing a tooth.

It also occurs when an already formed clot breaks off, exposing the underlying bone. It’s a painful condition and should be treated immediately. Dentists use a bandage or gauze to promote clot formation and hasten the healing process.

Painful Swelling

It’s normal to experience pain after a tooth extraction procedure, especially if it’s surgical. Our dentists recommend DIY ice therapy within the first 18 hours. It involves holding an ice pack against the cheek adjacent to the extracted tooth.

You can also hold frozen peas for 25 minutes in a five-minute interval till pain seizes. If the pain and swelling are persistent, there could be a developing infection hence need to contact a dentist in Mississauga.

Osteomyelitis

This is a bacterial bone infection usually occurring on the lower jaw. The affected area becomes swollen and extra tender. The condition is diagnosed by the use of X-rays, after which they prescribe antibiotics for a specific time duration.

Bleeding

Bleeding after a tooth extraction is a common occurrence,although bleeding for prolonged periods prompts intervention by your dentist. To prevent bleeding in the surgical area, you need to exert pressure on the socket for the first hour after treatment. This is done by biting down on a gauze issued by your dentist.

A tea bag can also be used in place of the gauze. If bleeding continues for more than a few hours, you need to immediately contact your dentist. The dentist can close the bleeding area with stitches to prevent bleeding.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

This condition develops on parts of the jaw after the jaw bone is exposed via the gum tissue. The side effect is chill pain, loose teeth, and pus discharge. Osteonecrosis occurs either after a tooth extraction, an injury, radiation therapy around the head or neck areas, and prolonged usage of bisphosphonate drugs in high doses.

It mostly occurs among people using bisphosphonate drugs to strengthen the bone. This disorder is less common in people who use bisphosphonates in limited doses and for shorter periods. Treatment of this disorder involves the removal of the affected bone and the use of antibacterial mouth rinses as well as oral antibiotics.