BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuTooth extractionPulling a tooth; Tooth removalA tooth extraction is a procedure to remove a tooth from the gum socket. It is usually done by a general dentist, an oral surgeon, or a periodontist. Description The procedure will take place in the dental office or hospital dental clinic. It may involve removing one or more teeth. You may be asked to take antibiotics before the procedure.You will get a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth so you do not feel pain. Your dentist may loosen the tooth in the gum using a tooth removal instrument called an elevator. Your dentist will then place forceps around the tooth and pull the tooth out from the gum.If you need a more complex tooth extraction:You may be given sedation so you are relaxed and asleep, as well as an anesthetic so you are pain-free. The surgeon may need to remove several teeth using the methods above. For an impacted tooth, the surgeon may have to cut a flap of gum tissue and remove some surrounding bone. The tooth will be removed with forceps. If it is hard to remove, the tooth may be sectioned (broken) into pieces.Impacted toothAn impacted tooth is a tooth that does not break through the gum.Read Article Now Book Mark Article After your tooth is removed:Your dentist will clean out the gum socket and smooth out the bone that is left. The gum may need to be closed with one or more stitches, also called sutures. You will be asked to bite down on a damp piece of gauze to stop the bleeding. Why the Procedure Is Performed There are several reasons people have a tooth pulled:A deep infection in a tooth (abscess) Deep infection in a toothA tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Overcrowded or poorly positioned teeth Gum disease that loosens or damages teeth Gum diseasePeriodontitis is inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tooth injury from trauma Impacted teeth that are causing problems, such as wisdom teeth (third molars)Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Risks While uncommon, certain problems may occur:The blood clot in the socket falls out days after the extraction (this is known as dry socket) Dry socketDry socket is a complication of having a tooth pulled (tooth extraction). The socket is the hole in the bone where the tooth used to be. After a to...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Infection Nerve damage Fractures caused by instruments used during the procedure Damage to other teeth or restorations Bruising and swelling at the treatment site Discomfort or pain at the injection site Incomplete relief of pain Reaction to local anesthesia or other medicines given during or after the procedure Slow healing of wounds Before the Procedure Tell your dentist about any medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines, and about your medical history. A tooth extraction can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream. So be sure to tell your dentist if you have or have had conditions that may make you prone to infection. These may include:Heart disease Liver disease Weakened immune system Recent surgery, including heart surgery and bone and joint procedures that involve metal hardware After the Procedure You may go home shortly after the procedure.You will have gauze in your mouth to stop the bleeding. This will also help a blood clot to form. The clot fills the socket as the bone grows back in. Your lips and cheek may be numb, but this will wear off in a few hours. You may be given an ice pack for your cheek area to help keep swelling down. As the numbing medicine wears off, you may begin to feel pain. Your dentist will recommend pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). Or, you may be given a prescription for pain medicine. To help with healing:Take any antibiotics or other medicines as prescribed. You can apply a cold compress 10 to 20 minutes at a time to your cheek to reduce swelling and pain. Use ice in a towel or a cold pack. Do not place ice directly on the skin. Avoid doing too much physical activity for the first couple of days. Do not smoke or use tobacco. When eating or drinking:Chew on the other side of your mouth. Eat soft foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, soup, avocado, and bananas until the wound heals. Avoid hard and crunchy foods for 1 week. Do not drink from a straw for at least 24 hours. This can disturb the blood clot in the hole where the tooth was, causing bleeding and pain. This is called a dry socket. To care for your mouth:Begin gently brushing and flossing your other teeth the day after your surgery. Avoid the area near the open socket for at least 3 days. Avoid touching it with your tongue. You may rinse and spit starting about 3 days after surgery. Your dentist may ask you to gently wash out the socket with a syringe filled with water and salt. The stitches may loosen (this is normal) and will dissolve on their own. Follow up:Follow up with your dentist as directed. See your dentist for regular cleanings. Outlook (Prognosis) Everyone heals at a different rate. It will take 1 to 2 weeks for the socket to heal. Affected bone and other tissue may take a bit longer to heal. Some people may have changes to the bone and tissue near the extraction.You should call your dentist or oral surgeon if you have:Signs of infection, including fever or chills FeverFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ChillsChills refers to feeling cold after being in a cold environment. The word can also refer to an episode of shivering along with paleness and feeling ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Severe swelling or pus from the extraction site Continued pain several hours after extraction Excessive bleeding several hours after extraction The blood clot in the socket falls out (dry socket) days after the extraction, causing pain Rash or hives RashRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HivesHives are raised, often itchy, red bumps (welts) on the surface of the skin. They can be an allergic reaction to food or medicine. They can also ap...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain CoughCoughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder. Some coughs are d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest painChest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Trouble swallowing Other new symptoms Open ReferencesReferencesHall KP, Klene CA. Routine extraction of teeth. In: Kademani D, Tiwana PS, eds. Atlas of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 10.Hupp JR. Principles of routine exodontia. In: Hupp JR, Ellis E, Tucker MR, eds. Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 8.Melnick PR, Takei HH. Preparation of the periodotium for restorative dentistry. In: Newman MG, Takei HH, Klokkevold PR, Carranza FA, eds. Newman and Carranza's Clinical Periodontology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 69.AllVideoImagesTogTooth anatomy - illustration The appearance of normal teeth varies, especially the molars. Abnormally shaped teeth can result from many different conditions. Specific diseases can have a profound effect on tooth shape, tooth color, time of appearance, or absence of teeth.Tooth anatomyillustrationTooth abscess - illustration A collection of infected material (pus) resulting from bacterial infection of the center (pulp) of a tooth. Tooth abscessillustrationTooth anatomy - illustration The appearance of normal teeth varies, especially the molars. Abnormally shaped teeth can result from many different conditions. Specific diseases can have a profound effect on tooth shape, tooth color, time of appearance, or absence of teeth.Tooth anatomyillustrationTooth abscess - illustration A collection of infected material (pus) resulting from bacterial infection of the center (pulp) of a tooth. Tooth abscessillustrationRelated Information Review Date: 11/7/2022 Reviewed By: Michael Kapner, DDS, General Dentistry, Norwalk Medical Center, Norwalk CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. 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Tooth extractionPulling a tooth; Tooth removalA tooth extraction is a procedure to remove a tooth from the gum socket. It is usually done by a general dentist, an oral surgeon, or a periodontist. Description The procedure will take place in the dental office or hospital dental clinic. It may involve removing one or more teeth. You may be asked to take antibiotics before the procedure.You will get a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth so you do not feel pain. Your dentist may loosen the tooth in the gum using a tooth removal instrument called an elevator. Your dentist will then place forceps around the tooth and pull the tooth out from the gum.If you need a more complex tooth extraction:You may be given sedation so you are relaxed and asleep, as well as an anesthetic so you are pain-free. The surgeon may need to remove several teeth using the methods above. For an impacted tooth, the surgeon may have to cut a flap of gum tissue and remove some surrounding bone. The tooth will be removed with forceps. If it is hard to remove, the tooth may be sectioned (broken) into pieces.Impacted toothAn impacted tooth is a tooth that does not break through the gum.Read Article Now Book Mark Article After your tooth is removed:Your dentist will clean out the gum socket and smooth out the bone that is left. The gum may need to be closed with one or more stitches, also called sutures. You will be asked to bite down on a damp piece of gauze to stop the bleeding. Why the Procedure Is Performed There are several reasons people have a tooth pulled:A deep infection in a tooth (abscess) Deep infection in a toothA tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Overcrowded or poorly positioned teeth Gum disease that loosens or damages teeth Gum diseasePeriodontitis is inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tooth injury from trauma Impacted teeth that are causing problems, such as wisdom teeth (third molars)Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Risks While uncommon, certain problems may occur:The blood clot in the socket falls out days after the extraction (this is known as dry socket) Dry socketDry socket is a complication of having a tooth pulled (tooth extraction). The socket is the hole in the bone where the tooth used to be. After a to...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Infection Nerve damage Fractures caused by instruments used during the procedure Damage to other teeth or restorations Bruising and swelling at the treatment site Discomfort or pain at the injection site Incomplete relief of pain Reaction to local anesthesia or other medicines given during or after the procedure Slow healing of wounds Before the Procedure Tell your dentist about any medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines, and about your medical history. A tooth extraction can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream. So be sure to tell your dentist if you have or have had conditions that may make you prone to infection. These may include:Heart disease Liver disease Weakened immune system Recent surgery, including heart surgery and bone and joint procedures that involve metal hardware After the Procedure You may go home shortly after the procedure.You will have gauze in your mouth to stop the bleeding. This will also help a blood clot to form. The clot fills the socket as the bone grows back in. Your lips and cheek may be numb, but this will wear off in a few hours. You may be given an ice pack for your cheek area to help keep swelling down. As the numbing medicine wears off, you may begin to feel pain. Your dentist will recommend pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). Or, you may be given a prescription for pain medicine. To help with healing:Take any antibiotics or other medicines as prescribed. You can apply a cold compress 10 to 20 minutes at a time to your cheek to reduce swelling and pain. Use ice in a towel or a cold pack. Do not place ice directly on the skin. Avoid doing too much physical activity for the first couple of days. Do not smoke or use tobacco. When eating or drinking:Chew on the other side of your mouth. Eat soft foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, soup, avocado, and bananas until the wound heals. Avoid hard and crunchy foods for 1 week. Do not drink from a straw for at least 24 hours. This can disturb the blood clot in the hole where the tooth was, causing bleeding and pain. This is called a dry socket. To care for your mouth:Begin gently brushing and flossing your other teeth the day after your surgery. Avoid the area near the open socket for at least 3 days. Avoid touching it with your tongue. You may rinse and spit starting about 3 days after surgery. Your dentist may ask you to gently wash out the socket with a syringe filled with water and salt. The stitches may loosen (this is normal) and will dissolve on their own. Follow up:Follow up with your dentist as directed. See your dentist for regular cleanings. Outlook (Prognosis) Everyone heals at a different rate. It will take 1 to 2 weeks for the socket to heal. Affected bone and other tissue may take a bit longer to heal. Some people may have changes to the bone and tissue near the extraction.You should call your dentist or oral surgeon if you have:Signs of infection, including fever or chills FeverFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ChillsChills refers to feeling cold after being in a cold environment. The word can also refer to an episode of shivering along with paleness and feeling ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Severe swelling or pus from the extraction site Continued pain several hours after extraction Excessive bleeding several hours after extraction The blood clot in the socket falls out (dry socket) days after the extraction, causing pain Rash or hives RashRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HivesHives are raised, often itchy, red bumps (welts) on the surface of the skin. They can be an allergic reaction to food or medicine. They can also ap...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain CoughCoughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder. Some coughs are d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest painChest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Trouble swallowing Other new symptoms Open ReferencesReferencesHall KP, Klene CA. Routine extraction of teeth. In: Kademani D, Tiwana PS, eds. Atlas of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 10.Hupp JR. Principles of routine exodontia. In: Hupp JR, Ellis E, Tucker MR, eds. Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 8.Melnick PR, Takei HH. Preparation of the periodotium for restorative dentistry. In: Newman MG, Takei HH, Klokkevold PR, Carranza FA, eds. Newman and Carranza's Clinical Periodontology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 69.