Extracting Abscessed Tooth
Patients with an infected tooth or severe decay may notice a pimple-like pus-filled pocket begins to form on the gums. This pocket is called a tooth abscess. It can result in significant discomfort and other symptoms. The dentist will typically drain the abscess with a small incision or perform a root canal for treatment. In severe cases, the tooth may need to be removed. Extracting a tooth is a last resort and the dental professions will make it a priority to preserve the natural tooth. Patients often want to know how a tooth extraction impacts an abscess.
Extraction for an Abscess
While dentists will work to preserve the natural tooth, sometimes the tooth requires extraction. In cases where the tooth is beyond repair, it must be removed. Abscesses can be an indicator there is a spread of infection into the root. This may make antibiotics and other treatments ineffective. An untreated abscess can cause issues such as extreme pain, spread of infection, bone loss, and tooth loss.
After the tooth is removed, the abscess will begin to heal. The body will immediately begin to fight the infection and over time, the pus pocket will disappear. The timeline for the healing process depends on how large and severe the abscess is. On average, it can take as little as a few days up to several weeks for the mouth to heal.
Patients must properly care for the extraction site to prevent infection. The oral surgeon or dentist will provide specific instructions which should be closely followed. Instructions will include information on how to properly care for the area where the tooth was extracted, how frequently to change the gauze, and how to properly clean the area.
The dental professional may prescribe antibiotics before or after the extraction to prevent additional infection. It is common to use antibiotics for a large abscess, when there is severe infection, or in cases where the patient has a weakened immune system. The mouth will heal following the extraction.
Complications
As with most procedures, there is a risk for complications. In most cases, the abscess will heal on its own following the extraction. Complications are quite rare, but still possible. Complications which can occur after removing a tooth are summarized below:
- Infection: While an additional infection is rare, the abscess can become infected again following the extraction. A returned infection can cause pain, swelling, and other types of symptoms.
- Dry socket: A dry socket happens when there is a dislodged or dissolved blood clot prior to the extraction site healing. Dry sockets are incredibly painful and cause healing delays.
- Nerve damage: There can also be nerve damage around the extraction. When this occurs, it is common for the patient to experience numbness and tingling. These symptoms may be temporary or permanent.
Patients should closely follow the dental professional’s aftercare instructions following an extraction to avoid complications. Taking care of the mouth helps expedite the healing process and prevent additional infection. Patients who experience any symptoms which are concerning following an extraction should contact their dentist right away. A follow up appointment will likely be needed.
Abscesses can be quite painful and may require the removal of the tooth in severe cases. The body will begin the natural healing process and the abscess will slowly disappear following an extraction. After the mouth heals, patients can evaluate tooth-replacement options such as dental implants. Implants can effectively restore the function and appearance of the missing tooth.