Extractions and Impaction Surgeries
EXTRACTION OF TEETH
One of the main goals of modern dentistry is the
prevention of tooth loss. All possible measures should be taken to preserve and
maintain your teeth because the loss of a single tooth can have a major impact
upon your dental health and appearance. However, it is still sometimes
necessary to remove a tooth. Here are some of the reasons a tooth may need to
be extracted.
- Severe Decay
- Advanced periodontal disease
- Infection or abscess
- Orthodontic correction
- Malpositioned teeth
- Fractured teeth or roots
- Impacted teeth
If you've just had a tooth extracted or your dentist has recommended that a tooth be extracted, the following information will help you get through the first few days after your extraction. Should anything occur that seems out of the normal, do not hesitate to call your dentist.
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
- DO NOT
DISTURB THE WOUND : In doing so you may invite irritation,
infection and/or bleeding. Be sure to chew on the opposite side for 24 hours
and keep anything sharp from entering the wound (i.e. eating utensils etc.
).
- DO NOT
SMOKE FOR 12 HOURS:: Smoking will promote bleeding and interfere
with healing.
- BRUSHING: Do
not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After, you may
brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery.
- MOUTH WASH: Avoid all rinsing for 24 hours after extraction. This is to insure the formation of a healing blood clot which is essential to proper wound healing. Disturbance of this clot can lead to increased bleeding or the loss of the blood clot. If the clot is lost, a painful condition called dry socket may occur. You may use warm salt water or mild antiseptic rinses after 24 hours only if prescribed.
- DO NOT
SPIT OR SUCK THROUGH A STRAW: This will promote
bleeding and may dislodge the blood clot causing a dry socket.
- BLEEDING: When
you leave the office, you will be given verbal instructions regarding the
control of postoperative bleeding. A rolled up gauze pad will be placed on
the extraction site and you will be asked to change this dressing every 20 minutes
or so depending on the amount of bleeding that is occurring. It is normal
for some blood to ooze from the area of surgery. We will also give you a
package of gauze to take with you to use at home if the bleeding should
continue. Should you need to use the gauze at home, remember to roll it
into a ball large enough to cover the wound. Hold firmly in place, by
biting or with finger pressure, for about 20-30 minutes.
If bleeding still continues, you may fold a tea bag in half and bite down
on it. Tea contains Tannic Acid , a styptic, which may help to reduce the
bleeding. Please be sure to inform us prior to your appointment if you
have bleeding problems or are taking blood thinning medications such as
Warfare or Aspirin.
- PAIN :Some
discomfort is normal after surgery. Analgesic tablets ( i.e. Aspirin,
Tylenol etc. ) may be taken under your dentist's direction. Prescription
medication, which may have been given to you, should also be taken as
directed. If pain continues, call your dentist.
- SWELLING
: This is normal following surgical procedures
in the mouth. After 2-3 days, the swelling should begin to
recede. If swelling persists or interferes with your ability to eat
or talk or swallow, do not hesitate to call our office.To prevent swelling,
apply an ice pack or a cold towel to the outside of your face in the area
of the extraction during the first 12 hours. Apply alternately, 20 minutes
on then 20 minutes off, for an hour or longer if necessary.
- DIFFICULTY
IN OPENING MOUTH: You may have difficulty
opening your mouth. This is because the jaw muscles become stiff from
holding your mouth open during surgery. It usually lasts 3 to 4 days.
Massage the jaw muscles gently. Apply moist heat for 10 minutes, remove
for 10 minutes and repeat. Eat soft nutritious food like eggs, milk
shakes, juices, soup (warm, not hot),pasta,rice,idlis, bananas. Do not
force your mouth open.
- DIET:As stands to reason, liquid and soft foods are recommended for the first couple days (i.e.- milkshakes, yogurt, soups, mashed potatoes, bananas...) Also, please take all medications as directed, since they are prescribed to not only control discomfort, but to reduce swelling and infection. It is a very good idea to begin taking medications prior to the numbness wearing off to allow you a smooth transition and comfort. Eat normal regular meals as soon as you are able after surgery. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids.
REPORT ANY UNUSUAL
OCCURRENCES IMMEDIATELY !
If you have any questions regarding these directions, call your
dentist for clarification.
Surgical Extraction of Impacted Wisdom Tooth
What is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?
Wisdom teeth are the teeth that come into the mouth
last, at age 17-25 years. Most people get four wisdom teeth, one in the
back of each of the four quadrants of the mouth. But it is not uncommon for a
wisdom tooth to be missing and some people get none.
An "impacted" tooth is one that is stuck in the bone and cannot fit
or come into the mouth properly. Impacted third molars are a frequent
occurrence in teens and young adults. Sometimes they start to come into the
mouth but the mouth is not big enough to hold another tooth. They do not
completely erupt, remain partially under the gum, and are easy targets for
infection. It is not unusual for teens and young adults to appear in the
dental office swollen, unable to open, febrile and in pain when this happens.
If wisdom teeth are positioned in such a way that they are positioned impacted
under the bone, covered by bone, and not partially in the mouth at all,
often they are better left alone.
When a Wisdom Tooth Erupts Partially but the Whole Tooth Does Not Fit in the Jaw
When wisdom teeth are partially in the mouth and
partially submerged, the gum around them can become infected and inflamed
causing swelling in the area around the cheek or down the neck. This
seems to happen more often at exam time or when young patients are under
stress. Under stress, the immune system does not function as well as
usual, and in a standoff with bacteria, the bacteria may start to get the upper
hand. That is usually when the patient with an impacted third molar shows
up at the dental office with swelling and pain. This swelling is
called pericoronitis, or infection tissue around the crown of the tooth
Frequently there is flabby gum around the back of the tooth and/or a flap of
gum (called an operculum) extending over the biting surface of the
tooth. Debris and bacteria collect and are trapped under this gum
tissue and an infection is the result.
If the tooth is properly
erupted and oriented, it may be possible to trim away the excess gum flap
around the back of the tooth (an Operculectomy).
If the tooth is hopelessly
submerged and there is no room for it to erupt normally, the tooth should
be extracted.
Care of Your Mouth After Surgical Extraction of Wisdom Tooth (Impaction Surgery)
DO
· You will be leaving with gauze to bite on. Keep this gauze in place for 45 minutes. After this time gently remove and discard this gauze.
· Keep PRESSURE on gauze until the bleeding stops. If HEAVY bleeding continues for more than two hours, call us.
· It is useful to apply pressure and a cold pack to reduce swelling. This can be applied to the outside of the mouth but make sure any local anesthetic has worn off or you may get frost bite. Never use a hot compress as this will increase the swelling.
· It is normal to find a little bleeding, even for a couple days. To help stop oozing, you can take a tea bag, wet it, squeeze all the water out, place it over the extraction area and bite on it for 20 minutes. The tannic acid in the tea constricts tiny blood vessels in the wound and helps to form a clot and stop the bleeding.
· Drink plenty of fluids.
· Try to eat soft, not too hot, non spicy nutritious foods for the next few meals. Ice creams, yogurt, fruit juices (non citrus), semisolid khichri or dalia.
· Reduce strenuous activity for 24 hours.
· Avoid all rinsing for 24 hours after extraction. This is to insure the formation of a healing blood clot which is essential to proper wound healing. Disturbance of this clot can lead to increased bleeding or the loss of the blood clot. If the clot is lost, a painful condition called dry socket may occur. You may use mild antiseptic rinses after 24 hours only if prescribed.
· If you have received a prescription for pain or an antibiotic, please take the medication as directed.
· If you have been directed to use an ice pack, please follow the instructions.
· Place an old towel on your pillow to prevent any blood spots.
· Stiffness (Trismus) of the jaw muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for several days following surgery. This is a normal post-operative event which will resolve in time. Gentle exercise of the jaw by opening wide and stretching the muscles will help to clear up the trismus more quickly.
· Occasionally, patients may feel hard projections of bone at the surgical site with their tongue. These projections of bone usually smooth out spontaneously, if not, they can be removed by Dr. Maneesh Rai.
· Sleeping with the head slightly elevated by using an extra pillow during the first three or four nights after surgery will help ease management of oral secretions and minimize swelling.
DON’T
· Do not smoke, or drink alcohol, for a minimum of 24 hours or better avoid for 48 hours.
· Do not rinse or spit vigorously for one week.
· Do not drink through a straw for one week.
· For the first day after the operation do not rinse, poke or brush the area of surgery.
· Do not suck on candy, mints, etc. for at least one week.
· Avoid strenuous exertion on the day of surgery.
If you have prolonged/severe pain, bleeding, swelling, or fever, please contact us.
No two mouths are alike. Do not accept well intended advice from friends. Dr. Maneesh Rai and his team are readily accessible through the office and available to answer any questions you have regarding your surgery or post-operative experience.