General dentists prevent, evaluate, diagnose, and treat diseases of the oral cavity, as well as maintain the function and appearance of the teeth. Many oral diseases and abnormalities can indicate other diseases. A general dentist may refer patients to their physician or a specialist for further evaluation, or vice versa for treatment.
Tooth Extraction
When a tooth is broken or too damaged to be repaired, it will need to be taken out with an extraction.
Do I need a tooth extraction?
A tooth extraction is a routine dental procedure where the tooth and root are completely removed from the mouth under local anaesthetic. When a tooth is unable to be saved due to damage or a crowded wisdom tooth causes discomfort or pain, your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction.
When some of the tooth is visible above the gum line, your dentist will loosen the tooth in its socket before extracting it.
For teeth below the gum such as broken or wisdom teeth, your dentist will make a small incision in the gum in order to access the tooth.
What happens after the extraction?
After an extraction, your dentist will suture the gum to aid healing. A compress is usually applied and some temporary bleeding is normal. As the healing process begins, a blood clot should form at the extraction point. It is important not to dislodge the clot to avoid drying out the tooth socket.
Following an extraction, some patients may feel a little soreness once the anaesthetic wears off. In most cases, this only lasts a day or two. If required, swelling can be reduced by using an icepack for short periods of about 10 minutes at a time.
After an extraction, we recommend avoiding hot drinks, smoking, using mouthwash or brushing the extraction site.
