Extractions

Our Brisbane dentists strive to save natural teeth whenever possible. Occasionally, however, removing a tooth becomes necessary for the health and comfort of our patients. 

Routine Dental Extractions in Brisbane Tooth Extractions in Wooloowin, QLD

As a special courtesy to our patients, we offer oral surgery services at North Brisbane Dental Clinic with our dentists Dr Georgia Sheahan, Dr Brodie Hawker, Dr Louise McCallum, Dr Kirsty Malley, Dr Seerat Sawhney, Dr Sheng Quach and Dr Meadbhb McVicker. Our gentle approach and dedication to improving patient health mean your extraction can be a comfortable experience.

Common Reasons to Extract Teeth

We never recommend extraction lightly. We will always provide every treatment option available. 

Listed here are some of the reasons teeth require extraction:

  • Infection 
  • Untreatable tooth decay
  • Overcrowding
  • Split or fractured teeth
  • Wisdom teeth with inadequate space

Our dentists perform both simple and surgical extractions and follow up with patients to ensure the healing process progresses without complication. While a tooth extraction will never be a thoroughly pleasant experience, we do take measures to make it as easy as possible, including proper pain relief during and after the procedure.

Wisdom Teeth Extractions at Our Wooloowin Dental Clinic 

Most people have four wisdom teeth, but it is not uncommon to have three or fewer. Wisdom teeth, located toward the back of the jaw, are the final molars to emerge and typically do so sometime during the teens or early twenties. 

As teens develop, wisdom teeth may become symptomatic. One of the most common problems is that wisdom teeth do not have the space to erupt correctly. This may mean they grow sideways, at the wrong angle, or cannot emerge entirely from the gums. When this occurs, teeth are said to be impacted and may need to be removed to prevent pain or shifting of the teeth, which can lead to a misaligned bite.

Do All Wisdom Teeth Require Extraction? 

Wisdom Tooth Illustration in Wooloowin, QLD

In some cases, a wisdom tooth emerges without complications. It is important to remember that due to their location at the very back of the mouth, it requires special care to keep these molars clean and maintain the surrounding gum tissue. Aside from impaction, other possible reasons we may recommend wisdom teeth removal include:

  • Eruption cysts
  • Recurring infection
  • Damage to nearby teeth
  • Inability to keep clean (resulting in recurrent decay)

After your extraction, taking proper care of the surgical site will ensure prompt recovery. Fortunately, the mouth heals quickly when kept clean. 

Dental Extraction Recovery and Aftercare 

Your dentist will give you verbal and written instructions on caring for your wound after tooth removal. These instructions may vary slightly depending on the location of the wound and whether or not you've needed stitches.

The main points that are common to almost all extractions are:

  • Try to leave the area alone. The less you touch the extraction site, the faster it will heal.
  • For the first 12 hours, avoid drinking through a straw, as the suction can disturb the clot forming inside the wound and result in a condition known as 'dry socket'. Dry socket is a painful condition that is best avoided and causes a delay in the healing process.
  • After the first 12 hours, rinse your mouth with warm salty water (tap water and table salt) a few times every day until the wound has healed. Saltwater is an excellent mouth rinse for extractions and almost any wound in your mouth.
  • Follow your dentist's instructions for pain relief. The strength of the pain relief medication prescribed will depend on the nature of your particular extraction.
  • Try to eat soft foods until your mouth heals. Hard or crunchy foods can dislodge the blood clot over the extraction site and lead to dry socket as mentioned previously. 
  • Do not smoke cigarettes during the healing period. (In fact, try not to smoke cigarettes at all!)

We will arrange a check-up to monitor healing and offer tooth-replacement options when applicable. Tooth Extractions in North Brisbane Dental Clinic

North Brisbane Dental Clinic Welcomes New Patients

If you have a troubled tooth, contact our clinic to arrange an appointment. Our team can provide gentle, stress-free tooth extraction with your North Brisbane dentist using local anesthetic and calming techniques for a more pleasant experience. We always provide every option available and stand by the choice you make for your smile.