Tooth Extraction: Procedure and Guidelines


What is tooth extraction?


Tooth extraction is the forced removal of a tooth, using forceps, from the dental alveolus or the socket in the alveolar bone (alveolar bone is the bone with sockets surrounding the roots of the teeth), due to various reasons such as:

  • tooth decay
  • tooth damage
  • extremely loose tooth
  • overcrowding of teeth in the mouth
  • tooth not able to erupt through the gum
  • baby teeth not falling out in time, to make way for the growth of permanent teeth
  • a patient requiring radiation to the head or neck, due to certain medical conditions, and may need to have the teeth lying in the areas of radiation extracted
  • impacted wisdom teeth which cause gum pain and swelling

It is advisable to consult with your dentist if you face any of the above problems.


How is tooth extraction done?


Prior to extracting your tooth, the dentist will take the details of your full medical history, especially your dental treatment history, if any, along with a list of the medications that you take.

You need to especially mention if you take any blood thinners or are allergic to any medicines.

The doctor may prescribe some antibiotics that you may have to take prior to the extraction.
An x-ray will be taken to determine the best way to extract the affected tooth.

The doctor will ask you to refrain from smoking, at least, a day before the procedure, as smoking might lead you to suffer from a dry socket and alveolar bone exposure after the extraction.

On the appointed day the dentist will give you local anesthesia to numb the affected tooth and its surrounding areas.
General anesthesia, though rarely necessary, may be required in certain cases of wisdom teeth removal. For such a procedure you will need to be admitted to a hospital, though you will be able to go home on the same day.

There are two types of tooth extraction procedures, depending on the condition of the tooth:

  • Simple extraction - In this procedure, after the tooth and the surrounding areas become numb, the dentist loosens the tooth with an instrument called the elevator. The elevator helps to break down the tissues supporting the tooth and expand the bony socket which holds the tooth. The dentist then easily pulls out the tooth using a pair of forceps.
    You may feel some amount of pressure when the dentist pulls out the tooth, but no pain.
  •  The dentist will place a gauze over the socket and ask you to bite down on it to stop the bleeding.         
  • Surgical extraction - Surgical extractions may be necessary for:

    • a tooth which has not erupted through the gum
    • a tooth which is too large to be extracted in one piece
    • an impacted tooth
    • a tooth which has broken off at the gumline

            During the procedure, the dental surgeon makes a small incision on the gum to access

            the affected tooth. If the tooth is too large the surgeon may break the tooth to small

            pieces to remove it. For a tooth which is impacted, the dental surgeon will cut away  

            some gum and bone tissue, then use forceps to rock the tooth, loosen it from the

            jaw bone, and finally pull it out.


     In certain cases, post the surgery, the dentist may bring the gum edges together and stitch them. The

     stitches dissolve automatically in a few days. A blood clot usually forms in the socket after

     the surgery. The dentist will put a gauze over the clot and ask you to bite on it till the

     bleeding stops.

Are there any side effects of tooth extraction?


Some side effects of tooth extraction include:

  • a small amount of bleeding till 24 hours after the surgery
  • dry tooth socket or alveolar bone exposure
  • damage to nearby teeth
  • an incomplete extraction of the tooth
  • stiffness and soreness in the jaw due to the injections and keeping the mouth open for too long

Other potential complications include:

  • damage to the sinus near the upper wisdom teeth
  • a fractured jaw (common among elderly people) due to the pressure exerted while extracting the tooth
  • injury to the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw causing temporary numbness for a period of around six months or sometimes permanent numbness

Who are not eligible for tooth extraction?


You are not eligible for tooth extraction if you are:

  • suffering from hypertension
  • suffering from cold and cough
  • take blood thinners ( the endodontist may ask you to stop taking the blood thinners for a couple of days prior to the procedure )
  • suffering from diabetes
  • suffering from autoimmune diseases
  • suffering from infections and fever
  • suffering from osteoporosis
  • suffering from allergies

Are there any post-treatment guidelines?


Some dos and don’ts after a tooth extraction include:

  • take the painkiller and/ or antibiotics prescribed
  • bite down on the gauze for around 30 minutes
  • do not spit, rinse, or brush your teeth for around 12 hours after the procedure
  • brush your teeth after 24 hours of the procedure, but be sure to avoid the extraction site
  • do not eat, drink or talk for the first two hours after the extraction
  • avoid any rigorous physical activity for the next two days
  • rinse your mouth with salt water 24 hours after the procedure
  • do not use a straw to drink during the first 24 hours after the extraction
  • drink plenty of cold liquids after the bleeding subsides
  • take soft foods such as soups, pudding, till the next day after the procedure. Gradually move to solid foods as the bleeding subsides and the area begins to heal

How long will it take to recover after a tooth extraction?


Depending on the size of the area it will take one to two weeks for the area to completely heal.


What is the price of tooth extraction in India?

Cost of tooth extraction can vary depending upon the city/locality,  clinic/hospital type & amenities, experience of the provider, number & type of teeth for extraction, medications used etc. Typically, the cost of tooth extraction in India may range from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 8,000

Please consult your doctor to get the exact treatment plan and price quote suiting your unique needs.


Are the results permanent?


If a baby tooth is extracted, a permanent tooth will grow in its stead. If a permanent tooth is extracted, it will never grow back. If you wish, you may replace the missing tooth with an implanted one. Your dentist will be able to let you know about your options.

Would you like to consult a doctor for Tooth Extraction ?

Patient Experiences

Mukherjee
Painless Tooth Extraction
I never felt any kind of pain during my tooth extraction or even root canaling and fillings. It was work of a trained hand and 100℅ satisfied with doctors skills and very good clinic he has....Read Less
Doctor in this story :Dr. Sourabh Nagpal
Matrix Dental And Skin Lounge
ARYAN
Very Good Tooth Treatment Experience for Children
We have found Dr basawaraj very good. Our experience was great. We as parents are always tensed about the procedures that would be conducted on our kids. But he makes it all very easy and simple. Children are also very comfortable with him. He is very friendly to the kids. Explains everything in detail. Overall our experience was satisfactory....Read Less
Doctor in this story :Dr. Baswaraj Biradar
Impressions Dental Specialities
vinod chhetri
Timely Tooth Extraction
I m from Nepal.I got root canal treatment done there which started giving problems. In came to Delhi for work and came to Dr Vinita for check up.she took an x-ray and found that now tooth can't be saved and then removed it.I m very thankful for timely advice and dental treatment....Read Less
Doctor in this story :Dr. Vinita S Jain
Dental Smiles & More

Questions answered by trusted doctors

Verified User
The stitches of my tooth extraction have come off! I had it done yesterday.
It had to be removed after a week.
What do I do?
Dr. Mohammed Ali
Dentist, Bangalore
don't panic relax !!
situation 1:
if its bleeding know then keep a cotton for about 15minutes as if your biting on it and after that remove cotton and have an ice cream
situation 2 :
if it just come out relax because the suture are placed to approximate the wound just follow with your dentist tomorrow and don't try to eat any spicy or hard food from that side until the initial wound healing takes place.
Dr. Shilpa
Dentist, Bangalore
for swelling to come down it  may take 1weak for somebody it depends on the level of tooth present in the bone dnt wry it will come down and new skin will form  in that area
Verified User
I wanted to ask that can I smoke after 4 5 days of tooth extraction if I am having stitches also.. ?
Dr. Rashmi Punhani
Pediatric Dentist, Bangalore
Hi there... It's always better to avoid if stitches are still there in mouth... Better to be safe than sorry... Take care..!!
Dr. Mallayya R. Pujari
Dentist, Bangalore
Hi..it's better to avoid. You might get dry socket because of smoking. Start after stiches are removed. Regards
Dr. Vikas Vaibhav
Prosthodontist, Patna
please don't smoke at least 14 days post extraction as wound healing takes place ...smoke will hamper the healing of extraction socket .
Ask health queries and get free answers from doctors in 24 hrs

Related videos

Related articles

Dialysis in India

Dialysis is a procedure in which the blood is filtered mechanically without the help of the kidneys. If the kidneys are not functioning properly then Dialysis will take over the function of the failed kidneys.

Rhinoplasty in India

Rhinoplasty is known as nose job. It is a plastic surgery which helps in reconstructing and correcting the shape of the nose. Reconstructive surgery and Cosmetic surgery are the two types. Nose job helps in improving the appearance of the nose.

Breast Cancer Treatment in India

Breast cancer occurs when healthy cells of breast tissue change and may begin to grow out of control which can appear as a lump within breast tissue. Breast Cancer Treatment includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy,surgery depend on the type of cancer.

Home Remedies

Salt Water Rinse

Gargling with lukewarm water mixed with salt, five to six times a day will provide relief from pain if you suffer from a dry socket.

Apply Ice-Packs

To prevent your jaws from swelling , apply ice packs.

Avoid Smoking

Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco as it may cause inflammation in the area from where the tooth has been extracted, and delay the healing process.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

Drink plenty of fluids and keep yourself hydrated. This will prevent giddiness.

Consume Yogurt

Consuming yogurt helps as it is a natural antibiotic.

Apply Clove Oil

Applying clove oil gently helps reduce the pain if you suffer from a dry socket.

Rinse Your Mouth With Turmeric

Water Add a pinch of turmeric to a glass of lukewarm water and rinse your mouth using this water five to six times a day.