Tooth extraction
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Surgery Overview
A tooth that is severely damaged may need to be removed. A surgeon who specializes in surgeries of the mouth (oral and maxillofacial surgeon) or your dentist can remove a tooth.
Before removing your tooth, your dentist will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. A stronger, general anesthetic may be used, especially if several or all of your teeth need to be removed. General anesthetic prevents pain in the whole body and will make you sleep through the procedure.
After the tooth is removed, you may need stitches. You can gently bite down on a cotton gauze pad placed over the wound to help stop the bleeding. The removed tooth can be replaced with an implant, a denture, or a bridge. A bridge 
is a replacement for one or more (but not all) of the teeth and may be permanent or removable.
What To Expect After Surgery
In most cases, the recovery period lasts only a few days. The following will help speed recovery:
- Take painkillers as prescribed by your dentist or oral surgeon.
- After 24 hours, you can rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water several times a day to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Make your own salt water by mixing
( ) of salt in a medium-sized glass [ ] of warm water. - Change gauze pads before they become soaked with blood.
- Relax after surgery. Physical activity may increase bleeding.
- Eat soft foods, such as gelatin, pudding, or a thin soup. Gradually add solid foods to your diet as healing progresses.
- Do not lie flat. This may prolong bleeding. Prop up your head with pillows.
- Avoid rubbing the area with your tongue.
- Continue to carefully brush your teeth and tongue.
The dentist will remove the stitches after a few days.
Why It Is Done
Removing a tooth is necessary when decay or an abscessed tooth is so severe that no other treatment will cure the infection.
How Well It Works
Removing the tooth can help keep infection from spreading to other areas of your mouth.
Risks
Some dental work can cause bacteria in the mouth to enter the bloodstream and cause infections in other parts of the body. People who have a difficult time fighting off infections may need to take antibiotics before and after dental surgery. Such people include those who have artificial heart valves or were born with heart defects.
What To Think About
A tooth extraction should be done as soon as possible to avoid the spread of infection and more serious problems. In cases in which a root canal treatment might not save the tooth, your dentist may recommend that the tooth be removed and a bridge or implant installed.
Complete the surgery information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.
Credits
| Author | Ralph Poore |
| Editor | Cynthia Tank |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Steven K. Patterson, BSc, DDS, MPH - Dentist |
| Last Updated | March 23, 2007 |
| Last updated: | March 23, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Ralph Poore |
| Reviewed By: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, Steven K. Patterson, BSc, DDS, MPH - Dentist |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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