Risks For A Tooth Extraction

Risks associated with tooth extractions

Please note side effects and complications are uncommon to rare with a tooth extraction and we at Smile Cliniq would hope our rate is even less than the norm, due to the techniques and instruments and materials we use.  Also bear in mind some of the complications are no different to any extractions or oral surgery you may have had previously, it’s just you are now aware of them.

There may be some pain or discomfort and swelling following a tooth extraction. This may require pain killers. There may also be bleeding of the socket. This is usually minor and easily controlled by applying pressure with a pack given at the time of the extraction

Occasional to Rare RISKS of Tooth Extraction:

There are some risks / potential complications with tooth extractions, which include:

• Infection of the extraction socket (dry socket).  This may cause some pain and discomfort, but is usually easily managed by the oral surgeon/ dentist
• Biting of the numb lip which may cause trauma to the lip after the teeth have been removed.
• Bruising in the area of the injection and or overlying skin in area of extraction.
• For lower wisdom teeth – Damage to the Inferior Dental Nerve of the Mandible (lower jaw). This nerve passes very close to the root of the lower wisdom tooth (occasionally in contact with it) and gives feeling to the lower teeth, lower lip, and chin on that side. If this nerve is very close to the area of surgery there is a slight risk of some damage to the nerve. This may cause numbness of the lower teeth, lower lip and chin. This may be temporary (6–12 months) or permanent (in 1% of cases).

Damage to the Lingual Nerve on each side of the Mandible (lower jaw).  This nerve passes very close to the tongue side of the lower wisdom tooth and posterior mandibular teeth and gives feeling and taste to that side of the tongue. If this nerve is very close to the area of surgery there is a slight risk of some damage to the nerve. This may cause numbness and loss of taste to that side of the tongue. This may be temporary (6–12 months) or permanent (1% of cases).
Damage to teeth growing tightly against the wisdom teeth during removal of the wisdom teeth.
Weakness of the jaw due to removal of the wisdom teeth.

• The tooth root tip may break off in small pieces – when the tooth is taken out. The oral surgeon/ dentist may or may not remove these pieces depending on the clinical picture, if there is a chance that the nerves or other structures may be damaged during removal, they may be left.
• If the upper teeth are close to the sinuses, removal may cause a hole (oral- antral communication) between the mouth and the sinus. This may need further surgery.
• Rarely it is possible, that the root (normally of an upper molar tooth) may dislodge and go into the maxillary sinus.  This may need further surgery to remove it.
• Possible muscle stiffness (trismus) after extraction.