The answer from the dentist shouldn't surprise you because they routinely pull infected teeth. Dentists are aware that nothing will benefit you more than getting rid of the root cause of the problem with your tooth. The extraction relieves pain and provides a predictable resolution to the infection in your mouth.
Removal of the infected tooth doesn't eliminate the infection in your jawbone, requiring antibiotics to eradicate the condition from your mouth.
In short, yes, your dentist can pull an infected tooth, as long as they have the pain in control. If they cannot freeze your tooth, you'll need to go on antibiotics for 3–7 days before they can extract it. Your dentist may need to refer you to an oral surgeon in more severe cases.
If tooth decay progresses to the point of infection, a dentist may recommend removal. Extraction can help a dentist get to the infected or dead tissue, remove it, and successfully alleviate the pain.
Infected teeth should be extracted as soon as possible and the procedure should not be postponed by giving antibiotics.
What is the most difficult tooth to extract? Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that have failed to erupt properly. They are generally considered to be the most difficult teeth to extract.
To begin with, a tooth abscess does not go or die down on its own, and professional intervention is crucial to treat a dental abscess. In case a person does not treat a dental abscess in its initial stage, then the infection may last anywhere between 5 months to 12 months or even more.
The Usual Occasions for Antibiotics
Antibiotics may be used in cases of an abscess or periodontal disease (gum infection). It's usually a necessary part of such procedures as tooth extraction, root canal therapy or deep cleaning of the gums.
Facial Structure: The positioning of your teeth in your mouth may make it difficult for a dentist to perform the extraction without causing discomfort. Things like large sinuses, or limited jaw mobility necessitate an extraction by an oral surgeon.
Leaving an infection to spread to your facial bones may eventually necessitate surgical removal to stop it. Even in minor cases, a tooth infection can cause the bone structures of your jaw to weaken, making it hard to support your teeth.
Tooth discoloration: if parts of your tooth look brown, black, or dark yellow, you may have a tooth infection. Gum discoloration: if your gums are darker red than normal, or otherwise discolored, it's a sign of infection.
Averaged out, that's about four and a half cases per year. Even when you round this annual average down to four, that still means a dental practitioner pulls the wrong tooth about once every three months. The study determined that 72% (about 39) of the incorrect extractions were performed by general practitioners.
The risks of Not Extracting a Tooth
You'll most likely feel significant pain. The problem will only get worse if you wait. If there's an infection present, it won't heal on its own and can damage your gums and bone. Infections also spread to other teeth, putting you at risk for sepsis.
It is generally harder to remove a tooth with multiple roots such as molars, especially if they have curved, crooked or hook-like roots. Aside from the obvious complications, the process of pulling the teeth may demand excessive force that may lead to tooth breakage or damage to the gum and jawbone.
Although it is not very clear, according to the literature in most cases, 2-3 days of medication is adequate. However, when the treatment is not done properly, the antibiotic coverage may be needed for up to 7 days. According to the International Dental Journal study notes, most acute infections resolve in 3-7 days.
If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw, throat or neck or even to other areas of your body.
The Danger of Untreated Infected Teeth and Gums
If they are not treated, they can last for several months or years. There are two types of dental abscess – one can form under the tooth (periapical) and the other in the supporting gum and bone (periodontal).
Root canals can be a painful procedure. In fact, many find it to be more painful than an extraction, but the use of local anesthesia can reduce the pain.
Risks of a tooth extraction are more serious than those that come with root canal therapy. They include: The bone that once supported the tooth will begin to lose its volume and mass. Adjacent teeth may drift out of place, leading to a misaligned bite.
Most dentists can remove teeth that are broken to the gum line. In these cases, certain instruments such as forceps and elevators will be used to remove what is left of the damaged tooth. In some situations, your dentist will need to reflect your gum tissue to gain access to the tooth.
You must either do a root canal or remove the tooth to eliminate the infection. If you have a root canal, the infected tissue is removed, the area is cleaned and then sealed against more bacteria entering it. Removing your tooth removes the tooth from the presence of your oral bacteria.
Left untreated, the infection can spread to the neck, head, and other regions of the body. In some cases, the bacteria can travel toward to heart, and settle in the heart lining, a heart valve, or a blood vessel; this can lead to a condition known as Bacterial Endocarditis.
If tooth decay has spread to the pulp (in the centre of the tooth, containing blood and nerves) – this may be removed in a process known as root canal treatment. If the tooth is so badly damaged that it can't be restored – it may need to be removed.