There are several risks and complications of tooth extraction (dental) that may affect some patients who need to have a tooth removed. Several of these risks are described in more detail below.
Post-Surgical Risks
Tooth extraction is associated with several general post-surgical effects such as pain, inflammation, bruising, bleeding and infection.
Some pain, swelling and bruising in the area can be expected for most patients, which will subside with time. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications can help to manage these symptoms in the meantime. Continued bleeding and infection of the area are less common and may require further management if they occur, such as treatment with antibiotics for an infection.
Depending on the type of tooth extraction, either local or general anesthetic is usually used to help reduce the pain associated with the procedure. The anesthetic that is used can also be associated with other risks, such as damage to the mouth, nausea, and dizziness. There is also a small risk of death with general anesthesia (1 in 100,000 to 200,000 cases.)
Improper Teeth Alignment
Following the extraction of a tooth, the remaining teeth may move, leading to misalignment of the teeth and changes to the bite. This can then go on to cause damage to the other healthy teeth in the mouth, which may require further dental work.
This can usually be prevented by implementing techniques to compensate for the missing tooth. For example, the other teeth can be moved orthodontically or the removed tooth may be replaced with a dental implant, bridge or denture.
Bite Collapse
For some patients, particularly those that have several back teeth removed, collapse of the bite may occur. This is also known as loss of vertical dimension of occlusion and involves rotation of the lower jaw closer to the upper jaw. As a result, changes in the muscle contractions needed to chew can present and eventually lead to symptoms such as dry, chapped or cracked lips.
Delayed Healing Due to Medications
Some medications, such as bisphosphonates used in the treatment of osteoporosis or some cancers, can affect the healing process of the jaw following Tooth extraction so that the recovery takes longer than usual.
In this case, it is usually recommended to cease the medication temporarily for some time before the planned extraction procedure. This can help to reduce the risk of complications linked to impaired healing.
Osteoradionecrosis
Individuals who have a history of radiation treatment directed towards the head and neck area have an increased risk of developing a condition known as osteoradionecrosis after having a tooth extracted. This involves death of the bone underneath the extracted tooth due to damage to the blood vessels that serve the bone, as a result of exposure to radiation.
Dry Socket (Osteitis)
When a tooth is extracted, a blood clot naturally forms over the area where the tooth previously sat. In some cases, this blood clot may be dislodged prematurely, which can lead to a condition known as osteitis or dry socket.
Nerve Injury
The removal of some teeth may occasionally cause injury to the nerve that serves the tooth. As a result, the area may feel numb or tingly on a permanent basis. This is a rare complication but can affect some patients.
Maxillary Sinus Exposure
The extraction of the upper molars is associated with a risk of a hole that opens into the maxillary sinus, which will need to be repaired. If these teeth are being removed, a dental X-ray can be utilized to estimate the risk of sinus exposure and direct the treatment decisions.
References
- http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/82774-overview#a3
- https://www.toothiq.com/dental-procedure/simple-tooth-extractions/
- http://www.oralhealthgroup.com/features/complications-during-and-after-surgical-removal-of-third-molars/
- http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Wisdom-tooth-removal/Pages/Complications.aspx
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4031223/
Further Reading
- All Tooth Extraction Content
- What is Tooth Extraction?
Last Updated: Aug 23, 2018
Written by
Yolanda Smith
Yolanda graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia and has experience working in both Australia and Italy. She is passionate about how medicine, diet and lifestyle affect our health and enjoys helping people understand this. In her spare time she loves to explore the world and learn about new cultures and languages.
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