Common risks of tooth extraction treatment

Dry socket develops in 3 to 4 percent of all extractions. This occurs when the blood clot hasn’t formed in the socket or it breaks too early. When a dry socket occurs, the underlying bone becomes exposed which can cause a painful toothache, and a bad taste or odor. Dry sockets usually begin causing pain the third day after surgery.

More about Preparing For A Tooth Extraction.

Dry socket can occur around 30% of the time when impacted teeth are removed. Difficult tooth extraction can make it more likely to happen as well. When you smoke on the day of your surgery, it adds the risk of developing a dry socket. Smokers and women who are on birth control pills are more likely to develop this as well. A dry socket needs to be treated immediately to end the pain and promote fast healing. However, you likely won’t develop an infection if you have a healthy immune system.

Other potential issues are:

• Accidental damage to surrounding teeth, like fracture of fillings.
• Extraction is not complete. This occurs when the tooth root stays in the jaw (mandible). Specialists usually remove the root to prevent infection, but sometimes it is less risky to leave a small tip of the root in position. It is also possible to remove infected tooth at this time.
• A fractured jaw is caused by the pressure applied to the jaw during removal. This is a common occurrence in people with osteoporosis(thinning) in the jaw bone.
• There is a small hole in the sinus during the procedure of an upper back molar. This hole usually goes away in a few weeks, but if not surgery may be needed to seal the hole.
• Jaw muscles and/or jaw joint soreness — It could be difficult to open your mouth wide. This normally happens because of injections, holding your mouth open and/or lots of pressure on the jaw.
• Numbness in the lower lip and chin lasting for a long duration — This is an uncommon issue. It is caused by injury to the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw. Full healing can take three to six months. In rare situations, the numbness could be permanent.

Know about the average cost of tooth extraction.