Tooth Extraction Complications

Instances of tooth extraction complications have come down to a great extent with the advancement in technology. We now have a wide variety of instruments and medicines to address specific situations. This was not the case two to three centuries previously, when tooth extractions were indeed the most agonizing experience. Tooth extraction was also used as a method of torture, in order to obtain forced confessions. The advent of technology in this area resulted in minimizing the difficulties related to tooth extraction, to a very great extent. However, tooth extraction may cause complications, during the procedure itself, or after its completion. Scroll down for details regarding tooth extraction complications.

More About Tooth Extraction

Tooth extractions are often performed in case of severe tooth decay or infection. It has been observed that dental caries is one of the common reasons for removal of teeth. Tooth extraction is also done in patients with severe gum diseases. In some people, extra teeth block the emergence of other teeth. In such cases, the extra teeth is removed. Wisdom teeth are often removed, when there is insufficient space for these teeth to come out. Fractured teeth and those teeth in the fracture line are also removed. In case of patients who are required to undergo radiation in the head and neck region, may also be required to extract the teeth in the field of radiation. Another common reason for teeth extraction is orthodontic treatment. There are two methods of extracting teeth - simple extraction and surgical extraction. Simple teeth extraction denotes the extraction of visible teeth, under local anesthetic. An elevator is used to lift the tooth, which is moved back and forth with forceps. This action leads to a broken periodontal ligament, which helps the tooth get itself attached to the socket in the alveolar bone. Surgical tooth extraction is a little more complicated and is usually performed to remove teeth which cannot be accessed easily. This may be due to breakage of the tooth inside the gum or in case the tooth has not erupted fully. This procedure requires the dental surgeon to make an incision in the gum and removal of some of the nearby bone tissues with the help of a drill.

Tooth Extraction Complications

While most of the tooth extraction procedures do not cause any complications, some complications may develop in a few patients. Usually, complications arise in patients with difficult root morphology or strong supporting tissues. Likewise, teeth with weak crown surfaces, with deep caries and brittle teeth may also cause complications during or after the extraction procedure. While some of the tooth extraction complications arise during the procedure itself, others develop after the procedure, sometimes, within a few days too. Let us have a look at the various tooth extraction complications.

Tooth Extraction Complications During the Procedure

Some of the tooth extraction complications occur during the procedure itself. These complications include tooth fracture, incomplete extraction, damage to nearby teeth, nerve damage, jaw fracture and damage to the sinus, etc.

• In some cases, the tooth to be extracted may suffer a fracture during the extraction procedure itself. This fracture makes the extraction process more complicated.
• Even though not common, in some patients, the nearby teeth get damaged during the extraction procedure. It may also happen that the adjacent dental restorations, like, crowns, dental implants, etc., receive some damage.
• In some cases, a small piece of the extracted tooth root gets stuck in the socket itself. Dentists may remove this piece in some patients, while in others, it may be left in the socket itself, so as to avoid nerve damage, as it is located close to a nerve.
• Another tooth extraction complication is nerve damage which can be inflicted during the procedure. This is considered as one of the common wisdom tooth extraction complications, but can happen during the extraction of any tooth, provided the nerve is located very close to the tooth root. In case of tooth extraction from the lower jaw, the inferior alveolar nerve may suffer damage. In such cases, the patient may experience numbness of the lower lip and chin. Nerve damage includes damage to the lingual nerve too. Nerve damage usually happens while lifting teeth or while using the surgical drill. The nerve may heal within some weeks or months, but in some people, it may result in permanent damage.
• Jaw fracture may happen during tooth extraction in people with a weak jawbone.
• Another tooth extraction complication is sinus damage, which happens in case of extraction of upper teeth only. In some cases, the sinus cavity, which is located above the upper molars or premolars can get exposed as the bony structure that divides the tooth socket from the sinus cavity gets perforated or removed (with the tooth) during the extraction of the above said teeth. Usually, this condition heals by itself, if not, corrective surgery is the remedy.
• Sinus damage include displacements of tooth or tooth fragments into the sinus cavity. This tooth or tooth part has to be removed to avoid complications.

The above said tooth extraction complications are caused during the procedure itself. But there are some complications which may develop after the process of tooth extraction.

Post Tooth Extraction Complications

Most of the tooth extraction complications develop during the procedure itself. But post tooth extraction complication are also not uncommon. The most among them are infection, swelling, prolonged bleeding, and dry socket.

• Infections may develop at the site of tooth extraction due to various reasons. Such infections are treated with antibiotics.
• Another tooth extraction complication, which may develop after the extraction procedure is prolonged bleeding, which can be addressed by the dentist without any difficulty. But small amounts of bleeding will be there for two to three days.
• Swelling is a common aftereffect of tooth extraction, which may subside within 24 hours. If not, contact your dentist at the earliest.
• Dry socket or alveolar osteitis, is a tooth extraction complication, which develops in around 5% of the total tooth extraction cases. It is one of the common wisdom tooth extraction complications. In this case, blood clots do not form at the tooth socket and the blood clots are necessary for the healing process. This condition is very painful and the pain develops a few days after tooth extraction.

Now, you know more about the possible tooth extraction complications, which may arise either during the procedure or after it. This information may also help in tooth extraction after care. Most dentists may give you some information about the possible complications well before the procedure itself. Though not very common, complications after tooth extraction do arise, and it is better to be prepared for the same.