Oral Surgery & Extraction
A surgical extraction is used when a tooth cannot be removed by simple loosening and lifting, for example if it is broken at the gumline, has curved roots or is partly buried in bone or gum.
It may involve a small incision in the gum, and sometimes the tooth is divided into sections for removal. The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, sometimes with sedation for anxious patients.
Benefits
- Allows removal of difficult or broken teeth
- Performed under local anaesthetic
- Sedation options may be available
- Helps resolve infection and pain
- Planned with X-ray guidance
What to Expect
- Examination and imaging
- Explanation of risks and aftercare
- Local anaesthetic
- Gum incision and bone access if needed
- Removal of the tooth or its sections
- Stitches and post-operative instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
The procedure is done under anaesthetic, though swelling and soreness afterwards may be greater than after a simple extraction.
Most people recover in a few days to a week. Your dentist will explain what to expect.
Often yes. They may dissolve on their own or need removal, depending on the type used.
