Multiple tooth extractions involve a process in which multiple teeth of a patient are removed at once. The dentist usually uses X-rays to diagnose the affected teeth before extracting them.
It’s natural to feel nervous and overwhelmed at the thought of multiple tooth extractions. The procedure can be long-drawn and complex. Plus, there is too much conflicting information available regarding aftercare.
For instance, some recommend bridges to replace the missing teeth while others advocate for a same-day partial denture to prevent facial structure changes. If you decide hastily, you may miss their essential difference and purpose of use.
Then, there are suggestions surrounding pain management, like consuming soft foods, using a cold compress, and whatnot. Get the procedure done only after knowing what to expect and what your best options for recovery are.
In this article, we will make this easier. Keep reading to understand three important things to consider before multiple tooth extractions.
Tooth Extractions: Sometimes, the Dentist Has No Other Choice
If your dentist has recommended multiple tooth extractions, it would have been a difficult choice for them. Even a single extraction is not a small decision. This procedure is only prescribed when a tooth is so decayed that it cannot be saved.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 21% of adults between 20 and 64 years had untreated decay in their permanent teeth. This situation makes the pulp of the tooth prone to total destruction.
Over time, the patient may suffer from an abscess that requires more extensive treatments. No reliable dentist believes in extracting an infected tooth as their first line of action. They always try to save the tooth using alternative solutions like crowns or root canals.
An extraction is only prescribed when it is clear that the tooth cannot be saved. Leaving it as it is can impact overall oral health and even affect the surrounding teeth. As for multiple tooth extractions, the following scenarios may make this procedure imperative –
- Severe overcrowding in the mouth
- Advanced gum disease that has weakened the underlying bone tissue
- Facial trauma that may have damaged multiple teeth beyond repair
- When multiple teeth have severe decay, to the point that they cannot be restored using fillings
Your dentist wants the best for you. If they’ve recommended multiple extractions, there is a good chance that no other option would suffice. You should ask them for more information just to stay on the same page.
Recovery Takes Time
Don’t let anyone trick you into believing that the post-recovery journey is a fast road. This is not something bad because you want your tissue and bone to heal completely. Once multiple teeth have been removed, the body undergoes several stages of healing.
It won’t always be a smooth road and may involve some bumps and detours. For instance, the tissue around the extraction site may become inflamed. Within two days, a blood clot tends to form at the site of the tooth extraction.
All of this is normal and only a part of the healing process. Now, since multiple teeth are extracted, you will require a replacement for them. Failing to replace them may lead to issues like speech impediments, jawbone deterioration, and chewing difficulties.
Once the gums have healed after the extraction, your dentist will recommend permanent dentures. Custom-made dentures typically require several weeks to a few months for completion. In the meantime, you can have partial dentures placed for optimal functionality and aesthetics.
According to Aegis Dental Group and Angola Dental Center, these dentures can be made on the same day using in-office labs. This means you can go home post-extraction without any gaps or missing teeth. It will also help you avoid a lengthy waiting period for a permanent solution. Adjustments can be made once the gums have completely healed.
The Procedure Need Not Be Painful
Have you heard somewhere that tooth extraction is painful? Many patients have and that is usually why they fear the procedure. After all, if a single extraction was painful, there’s no telling how much more multiple extractions will be, right?
The truth is you should have no reason to be afraid. This is something you must discuss with your dentist beforehand. According to the Cleveland Clinic, tooth extractions are performed under a local anesthetic. Once the affected tooth and its surrounding gums are numbed using the anesthesia, specialized dental instruments are used.
Even now, the dentist will not directly attack the teeth with great force. They will gently loosen them from their sockets before carefully lifting them. If a tooth is severely decayed, the dentist may have to make incisions for better access.
All of this may create some pressure (something which you can feel) but it should not be painful. Multiple tooth extractions do carry some risks in the form of dry socket, nerve injury, and post-surgical infection but they’re pretty rare. Regular follow-ups and proper aftercare should eliminate such risks as well.
If anything, it will help restore your lovely smile and maintain overall oral health. Plus, the dental pain you’ve been experiencing due to the affected teeth will ease immediately after the procedure.
Finally, it is best to consume only soft foods after multiple tooth extractions. These would include yogurt, soups, smoothies, etc. You can get the full list from your dentist to ensure timely recovery.
Oral health is referred to by the Mayo Clinic as the “window to general health.” This is because any issue affecting one’s mouth can also impact the rest of the body. It is risky to leave an infected or decayed tooth as it is. If the situation calls for multiple tooth extractions, go for it but stay informed for proper healing.