What are sutures and why are they given?

Sutures are stitches which maybe given after an extraction. These stitches help in approximating the gums close together and therefore restrict the size of the wound. Sutures also help in controlling the bleeding.

Should sutures be removed?

Sutures are of two types: absorbable and non-absorbable. The absorbable sutures are broken down by the enzymes in the human body. So they just dissolve in a few days and need not be removed. The non-absorbable sutures need to be removed after 7-10 days.

What is local anesthesia or LA?

Local anesthesia is temporary loss of sensation to pain and other sensations such as pressure, temperature and touch in a localized area of the tissue. This is done by injecting a local anesthetic drug around the tooth being extracted. The teeth, lips and tongue become numb so the patient does not feel the pain during the procedure. This numbness lasts for a few hours. Most extractions are done under local anesthesia.

What is general anesthesia?

General anesthesia is reversible loss of consciousness along with loss of all sensation. General anesthetic drugs also help in controlling pain and relax the muscles of the body. General anesthetics are used in complicated surgical procedures that may take a long duration and when the surgery is done in multiple sites. They are also useful in unco-operative patients.

Why does it bleed after extraction?

Once the tooth is extracted a wound is created and therefore bleeding occurs. The bleeding stops once a stable clot forms. But in some patients minor seeping of blood may be seen for a day or two after extraction and their saliva may be tinged with blood. This need not be a cause for worry to the patient. However profuse bleeding must be brought to the notice of your dentist.

What happens after a tooth is removed?

After a tooth is removed, it leaves behind a socket in the bone that was occupied by the roots. This socket gets filled with blood, which soon forms a clot. In a few weeks time the clot slowly reorganizes into bone and fills the socket.

Why is the wisdom tooth removed so often?

The wisdom teeth are the third molars, which are the last teeth in the dental arch. The teeth usually erupt between 18 and 25 years of age. In many individuals, the wisdom teeth remain in the bone as they may not have adequate space in the dental arch to emerge out. This condition is called impaction. In addition the third molar may erupt in abnormal inclination thus affecting the health of the adjacent teeth. So the wisdom teeth need to be removed often.

Why is it difficult to remove the wisdom tooth?

The wisdom teeth are often inside the bone and therefore cannot be removed easily by using the forceps. In addition their position and angulation may be abnormal. They often require surgical extraction by cutting open the overlying gums and cutting the bone around the teeth.

Why does a swelling appear after extraction?

Some extractions are followed by appearance of swelling. This is nothing to worry about, as it is a part of the normal healing process. In reaction to the extraction, the tissues show an inflammatory reaction to heal the wound created by the removal of the tooth. Swelling is a part of the normal inflammatory process. However the dentist may advice you to have cold fomentation over the area to reduce the swelling.

What is dry socket?

Dry socket is a condition characterized by onset of pain and foul odor a few days after the extraction. This occurs due to lysis or dislodgment of the clot that forms after the extraction leaving behind the bony socket that is very sensitive and tender. The socket may also get infected. This is one of the rare complications of extraction.