It’s not fun having a tooth pulled. At Purity Dental, we try our hardest to conserve your natural teeth, but sometimes, tooth extraction may be the only option available in your best interest. This usually prevents infection or disease from spreading or, in the untreatable case of a deeply injured tooth. However, once your extraction is complete, you need to have the right after-care in place in order to ensure your jaw bone is preserved and doesn’t deteriorate. That’s where socket preservation comes in.
A tooth extraction MAY be recommended in the following instances:
Severe cases of gum disease Severe dental decay/tooth infection A broken/chipped tooth For orthodontic purposes If your wisdom tooth causes complications
In the case of a tooth extraction, the first step would be to give you a local anaesthetic to numb the area and minimise your discomfort while a stronger anaesthetic will be used for more complicated cases. A special tool will then be used to loosen your tooth. Once loosened, the tooth will be extracted using forceps.
After your tooth is removed, our dentist will have to make sure your gum socket is thoroughly cleaned. “Socket preservation”, which is described in further detail below, will then be carried out and if a cut in the gum is needed during the extraction, a stitch will be necessary to close up the cut.
While this varies from individual to individual, the wound usually takes roughly one to two weeks to heal. In general, we recommend staying away from hard or spicy foods that require a lot of chewing. In the 24 hours following your appointment, you should avoid any exerting physical sports, smoking or drinking. If needed, our dentist will also prescribe or recommend suitable pain relief medication.
If you experience fever, continuous severe pain or excessive bleeding, schedule an appointment with our dentist as soon as possible.
After a tooth extraction, the jaw bone changes as it heals. It is common to see approximately 30-50% of the jaw bone height and width shrink within the first 3-6 months. This bone loss can result in structural changes to the face and soft tissues and even affect your restorative dental procedures in the future, as dentures, bridges and implants require good jaw bone support in order to be successful in the long run.
One way we can help slow down and minimise this change is to do a “socket preservation” procedure at the time of extraction. A socket preservation is a procedure we carry out to prevent further bone loss post-extraction by placing bone materials in the socket where the newly extracted tooth was. The body then heals over time naturally and the jaw bone is preserved for future tooth replacement options.
One common method used to preserve the bone and minimise bone loss after an extraction is to fill the socket with bone or bone substitute. It is then covered with gum, artificial membrane or tissue in order to stimulate your body’s natural healing ability and repair the socket. This method eliminates the possibility of bone shrinkage or surrounding gum tissue collapsing. The bone in the socket will also act as a secure foundation for any further dental restorations you may consider (for example, dental implants).
After socket preservation, you may experience pain and discomfort for about 1-2 weeks. Here are some things you can do to ensure a successful recovery post-extraction and after socket preservation:
Get some rest for at least 24 hours after the procedure. Avoid rinsing your mouth right away. Avoid drinking with a straw. Take pain relievers as prescribed by the dentist to alleviate pain and discomfort. Avoid consuming extremely hot or cold drinks or alcohol. Eat soft, healthy foods such as soups, yoghurts, and cooked vegetables that don’t require a lot of chewing.
At Purity Dental, we are committed to giving you the best dental care available at all times in a stress-free environment. If a tooth is giving you trouble, we will assess your mouth to identify if extraction is the only course of action available for you. With proper and attentive care from our dentists, our patients can be expected to make a speedy recovery post-extraction and socket preservation. For any doubts and queries, don’t hesitate to contact our dental staff!
