Your Complete Guide to Tooth Extractions

Your complete guide to
tooth extractions
maintain | enhance | replace | relax

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Extractions explained
Tooth extraction is something we all want
to avoid, including us! This is why we
always try to save the tooth and address
the issue with restorative treatment where
possible. However, despite our best efforts,
if a tooth has been irreversibly damaged
or decayed to the point that it will be
healthier for the mouth and remaining
teeth to be removed, then we might
need to perform an extraction.
Knowing what to expect and how
to recover can make your extraction
experience less distressing and painful.
IS the extraction
procedure safe?
Tooth extractions are a common
and completely safe procedure that
millions of people undergo each year.
Depending on the tooth’s shape, size,
position and location will determine
the right type of procedure for you.
■ Simple extraction – if the tooth is
accessible above the gum line and
can be removed in one piece.
■ Complex/surgical extraction –
Teeth that are stuck, broken, or haven’t
emerged above the gum line will require
a complex extraction. This may involve
removal of the gum tissue or bone.
The tooth may be removed in pieces.
HOW do I prepare for
an extraction?
Knowing what to expect can make your
extraction experience less distressing.
We will undertake a complete medical
history and take x-rays of the affected
area. Please inform us of any allergies,
illnesses or medication, as this could
impact the type of anaesthetic used
during treatment. We recommend
you arrange transportation to and
from the surgery, and unless otherwise
advised, you can eat and drink as
normal on the day of extraction.
WHY do I need to have
an extraction?
Some of the most common factors
leading to a tooth extraction include:
■ Severe infection, damage or decay
■ Advanced gum disease
■ Abscess (pus around gums/teeth)
■ Impacted wisdom teeth
■ Fractured teeth
■ To make room for an orthodontic
appliance or dental prosthesis
(due to overcrowding)
■ Milk teeth not falling out at
the proper age
WILL the procedure hurt?
We understand extractions can be a
stressful time for our patients. Whilst we
will provide a local anaesthetic to numb
the site of the extraction and eliminate
pain, you will feel pressure. Our team are
highly skilled in carrying out extractions
and practising steady techniques
to reduce discomfort and make the
experience as painless as possible. We also
offer IV sedation for our nervous patients.
WHAT are my options to
fill the gap(s) after?
Everybody, should be able to enjoy the
ability to eat, talk and smile without
having to worry about missing or
“gappy” teeth. If the extracting tooth
is vital to function or appearance,
we offer a number of treatment
options to help restore your smile,
confidence and general wellbeing.
Leaving a gap in your dentition can
cause your existing teeth to shift,
change your face shape and make
eating, speaking and chewing
difficult. Consult your Ascent Dental
Care practice about which tooth
replacement options are right for you.
In the meantime, take a look through
our guide to the pros and cons of
our tooth replacement options – so
you can make an informed decision
at your next dental appointment.
Treatment Key
Fixed solution
Removable solution
Adjacent teeth may need
to be ground down
Treatment cost
Treatment time

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Dental bridge
Bridge the gap naturally for form and function
Denture
Dentures that look good, fit well and work for you
One of the most common methods to
replace missing teeth is with a dental
bridge, a prosthetic fitting that spans the
gap between the missing tooth and two
healthy adjacent teeth and is secured at
each end by a crown to hold the bridge
in place.
Dental bridges are an ideal long-term
solution and highly recommended for
preventing potential future problems
that often occur when just one tooth is
missing. These can include bite distortion,
caused by your remaining teeth shifting
to fill the gap, and vulnerability to gum
disease and jaw pain.
A durable and relatively quick
replacement to missing teeth, your dental
bridge will be created to your exact
specification of shape and shade and are
an excellent fixed alternative to looking
and feeling like your natural teeth.
Benefits
■ Fixed, long-term solution
■ Natural look and feel
■ Restores functionality to eat and chew
■ Strong and secure
■ No bone grafting required
■ Quick and cost-effective solution
Considerations
■ Requires removal of tooth
structure of adjacent teeth
■ Does not support bone in
region of missing tooth
■ Requires crowns to be fitted
over healthy adjacent teeth
We offer life-like and comfortable
denture solutions that fit snugly and
securely over your gums to restore your
smile and counteract any problems
missing teeth can cause, such as trouble
eating and speaking and the unwanted
movement of existing teeth.
A partial denture is ideal for the loss of
just one or a few teeth. Made of an acrylic
or metal framework they can snap in and
out of the dental arch – restoring beauty
and function to your smile. A full denture
replaces the entire arch of your upper
and lower and are fitted onto an acrylic
or metal base and crafted to look like
your gums and teeth.
Benefits
■ Look natural and easy to wear
■ Restores function
■ Can be removed for cleaning
■ Minimally invasive
■ Easy to modify and adjust
■ Affordable solution
Considerations
■ Less stability and support
than a secured solution
■ Food can collect under the denture
■ Can affect speech and
eating certain foods
■ Requires care and maintenance,
and will need replacing over time
Think a dental bridge might be right for you?
Contact us for a FREE consultation today.
Think a denture might be right for you?
Contact us for a FREE consultation today.

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Dental implant
Restore confidence and rebuild quality of life
Implant-supported dentures
Secure your dentures and your confidence
Enjoy a strong, long-term replacement
for missing teeth with dental implants.
Made from titanium or ceramic, dental
implants are artificial tooth roots which
are surgically inserted into the jaw to
replace the missing root. Titanium
implants integrate well with your
jawbone providing a strong foundation
for crowns to be securely attached as a
replacement tooth.
Dental implants look, feel and function
just like your natural teeth, enabling you
to speak clearly, eat with enjoyment and
restore your smile for life.
Benefits
■ Improves appearance
■ Aesthetically pleasing
■ Restores quality of life and confidence
■ Prevents bone shrinkage and
preserves adjacent teeth
■ Durable, secure and long-lasting
Considerations
■ Costly treatment, but should
be considered an investment
in long-term oral heath
■ Not all patients may be suitable
■ Surgical procedure is required
Dentures are a traditional solution for
replacing missing teeth, but if they don’t
fit perfectly, they can slip or click when
you eat or speak. If you are facing the
prospect of losing all or some of your
teeth, implant-supported dentures
can provide an excellent solution. Your
implant-supported denture will secure
your prosthetic teeth and can either be;
• Fixed (hybrid) – a non-removable solution
that requires 4-6 implants to secure
a fixed full mouth bridge, providing a
highly stable and natural-looking result.
• Removable (overdenture) – a removable
option that requires as few as two
dental implants to provide additional
stability to an upper or lower denture.
Made from titanium or ceramic, dental
implants are artificial tooth roots which
are surgically inserted into the jaw to
replace the missing root. Titanium
implants integrate well with your
jawbone providing a strong foundation
for the denture to be securely attached
as a replacement tooth.
Benefits
■ Natural-looking appearance
■ Eat and chew as normal
■ Restores quality of life and confidence
■ Durable and secure
■ No more denture adhesives
Considerations
■ Costly treatment, but should
be considered an investment
in long-term oral health
■ Not all patients may be suitable
■ Surgical procedure is required
Think a dental implant might be right for you?
Contact us for a FREE consultation today.
Think an implant-supported denture might be right for you?
Contact us for a FREE consultation today.

Recovery after a tooth extraction
Your aftercare routine will depend on the type of extraction procedure you have
undergone, but you can expect an average healing time of approximately two weeks.
All patients who undergo tooth extractions at Ascent Dental Care will be provided with
an ‘Aftercare Pack’ to help you heal and recover as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Take painkillers as prescribed
(not aspirin) to ease the pain
and reduce inflammation.
Keep the gauze in place for
up to four hours and allow the
clot to form on the extraction
site. It’s important to keep the
blood clot in place in the tooth
socket, dislodging it can cause
‘dry socket’ and expose the
bone which can be painful.
Rest for 24 hours and limit strenuous
activity for up to one week.
Reduce swelling by applying an
icepack on the side of your face
for up to 10 minutes at a time.
Keep your head in an upright
position – when sleeping prop
your head up with an extra pillow.
DO NOT rinse your mouth for at
least 24 hours – this prevents the
gauze from dislodging and allows
the socket to heal. You must be
careful not to damage the blood
clot by eating on that side or
letting your tongue disturb it.
After 24 hours, rinse your mouth
with a warm saltwater solution
(1/2 teaspoon salt & 8 ounces of
warm water) twice a day for one
week. This will help the socket
heal and keep it clean.
Maintain a healthy diet and take
a Vitamin C supplement to help
your mouth heal.
Avoid smoking for at least 24 hours.
Continue to brush and floss but
avoid the extraction site.
If you require urgent assistance please call us.
ascentdental.co.uk
ascent loughborough
loughborough@ascentdental.co.uk
01509 213 314
ascent malvern
malvern@ascentdental.co.uk
01684 573 314
ascent sollihull
solihull@ascentdental.co.uk
01564 778 585
ascent tamworth
tamworth@ascentdental.co.uk
01827 664 35