Tooth Extraction

At Islington Smiles, our preventive care based, minimally-invasive ethos means we only ever recommend tooth extraction when absolutely necessary.

What is a tooth extraction?

Put very simply, a tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket. There are two types of extraction – simple and surgical.

What is a simple extraction?

Simple extractions are performed under local anaesthetic and involve gently removing the tooth with a pair of forceps.

What is a surgical extraction?

A surgical extraction will be performed if the tooth is broken or impacted – i.e. hidden under the gum line – in any way. Some surgical extractions might have to be carried out in a hospital, and they are normally performed under general anaesthetic.

Why do I need a tooth extraction?

We’ll only recommend a tooth extraction if it’s necessary to the health of the patient and the long-term health of the surrounding teeth.

Most tooth extractions occur because of the following reasons:

• Impacted or infected wisdom teeth
• A tooth that has become decayed or damaged beyond repair
• Overcrowding

What happens during the treatment?

We know having a tooth removed can be worrying for some patients, but our highly skilled and compassionate team will make sure you’re comfortable throughout. If we’re performing a simple extraction, you’ll be given local anaesthetic so you don’t feel a thing in the area being treated. We’ll then gently remove the tooth, thoroughly clean the area and administer stitches if needed.

What happens after the treatment?

Once your local anaesthetic wears off, you may start to feel some pain and discomfort but painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol should help with this. You should also avoid hot and cold drinks immediately after the treatment.

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