Tooth Removal and Root Extraction

There are 2 main types of tooth extraction: simple extraction and surgical extraction. 

Simple extraction

Simple extraction is used to extract a tooth that’s completely visible above the gum line and can be removed as a single piece.

Your maxillofacial consultant will use a tool called an elevator to gently rock the tooth in its socket until it becomes loose. They’ll then use dental forceps to pull it out of the gum. This procedure can be done using local anaesthesia, or under sedation or general anaesthesia. 

Surgical extraction

Surgical extraction is performed on a tooth that’s not visible or only partially visible above the gums. This technique may also be used in cases where a tooth is broken or is likely to fragment during extraction. 

With a surgical extraction, your surgeon makes a small incision in your gum to access the tooth. If the tooth is intact, it will be cut into pieces before being removed. Breaking the tooth into sections rather than pulling it out in one piece helps minimise trauma to the gums and surrounding structures. Once the tooth has been completely removed, your surgeon will stitch your gum to close the wound. At Welbeck, this procedure is performed while you’re under sedation or general anaesthesia.

Wisdom teeth develop in your late teens or early 20s. The most common reason why wisdom teeth need to be removed is impaction. This is where the tooth doesn’t have enough space to erupt (break through the gum) because its pathway is blocked by another tooth.

While some impacted wisdom teeth cause no problems, others can lead to pain, swelling, infection and other unpleasant symptoms. When symptoms are present, wisdom teeth require surgical removal.

Tooth decay can range widely in severity. In mild cases, it can be treated with fillings and other repair techniques. If the decay has reached the soft tissue (pulp) in the middle of your tooth, root canal treatment may be effective. Unfortunately, in the most severe cases of tooth decay, the best course of treatment may be to remove the tooth entirely. 

If the tooth is in one piece and unlikely to fragment, your consultant will remove the tooth using simple extraction. If the tooth is fractured, broken or likely to break during removal, surgical extraction will be required.

If your teeth are overcrowded (your teeth overlap), this likely means your gums and mouth aren’t large enough to comfortably house all of your teeth. If you intend to have braces fitted to straighten your teeth, your orthodontist may recommend that you have teeth extracted beforehand. This will create room in your mouth for your teeth to be moved and straightened. 

Your orthodontist may also recommend tooth removal before fitting braces if you have an overbite, underbite or crossbite, or if you have any decaying teeth. 

If your orthodontist suggests extraction, they can refer you to a Welbeck maxillofacial specialist who’ll perform an assessment and recommend the best course of action.

If decay or trauma has eroded a tooth right down, the crown (part of the tooth visible above the gum line) will no longer be present, and only the tooth root will remain. Roots can rarely support a dental crown or implant, so in most cases, the root will need to be extracted.

The complexity of root removal depends on the nature of the problem – some roots can be removed with simple extraction, while others require surgical extraction.

While root extraction and root canal treatment sound like similar procedures, root extraction results in the complete removal of the root, and root canal treatment aims to preserve the root and restore the crown of a tooth.

A root canal can only be performed if the root is structurally sound and strong enough to withstand treatment and securely hold a filling or dental crown in place long term.

Some bleeding is to be expected for a day or 2 after a tooth extraction. Swelling and discomfort are also common but should subside within a couple of days, and the extraction site should be completely healed within 2 weeks.

Tooth extraction aftercare at Welbeck 

After your treatment, your maxillofacial specialist will provide you with personalised aftercare advice to support your healing and help you feel comfortable while you recover. 

They may suggest taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, and using an antibacterial mouthwash. You may also be prescribed some antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.

Your specialist will see you for a follow-up appointment 1 to 2 weeks after treatment to check the extraction site and discharge you from their care. 

Lifestyle factors affecting tooth extraction

While some reasons for extraction are unavoidable, certain lifestyle factors can increase your risk of issues like decay and gum disease and can also affect your recovery after treatment.

Smoking and tooth extraction 

People who smoke are at a higher risk of developing dental problems, including gum disease and tooth decay, which may result in tooth extraction. Smoking can also increase the chance of complications post-extraction, including delayed healing, infection, and bleeding. 

Drinking and tooth extraction

Similar to smoking, drinking alcohol can increase your risk of tooth decay, gum disease (periodontitis), and tooth erosion. Drinking alcohol after tooth extraction can increase the risk of infection, prolong your recovery time, and cause dry sockets, which leave your nerves and bones vulnerable to inflammation and pain.

The price of treatment depends on the exact procedure required. Your consultant will be able to advise you on pricing after a consultation to determine the most appropriate treatment. 

You can also contact our Oral & Facial Health centre for more information.

At Welbeck, our maxillofacial specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if needed to ensure you receive the best possible treatment as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To make an appointment for these procedures, you must either be referred by your dentist or a specialist following a consultation with them.

If you’d like to schedule a consultation with a Welbeck maxillofacial consultant, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients.