What Happens When A Tooth Breaks During Extraction?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If a tooth breaks off during the procedure, for instance,

it may need to be taken out in pieces

. Wisdom teeth often face surgical extraction because they’re usually impacted, meaning they are not completely erupted into the mouth. This condition requires cutting through bone and tissue.

Is a broken tooth a simple extraction?

Tooth extraction is performed by a dentist or oral surgeon and is a relatively quick outpatient procedure with either local, general, intravenous anesthesia, or a combination.

Removing visible teeth is a simple extraction

. Teeth that are broken, below the surface, or impacted require a more involved procedure.

Do teeth break during extraction?

Cracked or fragile teeth

The affected tooth may appear intact, but a close examination by the dentist may show that

the tooth will fracture during extraction

. The simple extraction procedure involves applying forces. Unfortunately, the same extraction forces may break the fragile tooth apart.

Will a piece of tooth left in after extraction work its way out?

Fragments of dead bone tissue (sequestrum if singular, sequestra when plural) can also

be left behind after extraction

. These pieces may be completely missed if the damaged bone comes from the socket or jaw itself. Your dentist may extract a complete tooth and not see any chips or missing shards in the tooth itself.

Is broken tooth extraction painful?

Does the procedure hurt? No, despite what you may have imagined, you having nothing to worry about. Having a tooth extracted, whether surgically or

not, should not hurt

. Usually you’ll feel a slight pinch as the area is numbed using anesthetic, then after this you will not be able to feel the procedure.

What is the hardest tooth to extract?


Lower back teeth

are typically the hardest to anesthetize. This is because it requires a little more work in terms of numbing the nerve endings, which are more plentiful at the back, lower part of the jaw.

Can a normal dentist do a surgical extraction?

General

dentists can perform both simple tooth extractions and complex tooth extractions

. While the tooth that needs to be extracted can be any tooth, wisdom teeth are most commonly extracted.

What happens if a broken tooth goes untreated?

Left untreated,

they can slowly eat away at the enamel and eventually reach the pulp

. That causes the pulp to become infected, which cuts off blood to the pulp and, eventually, causes it to die. You’ll likely experience intense pain once the decay has reached the pulp.

When does a broken tooth need to be extracted?

Damage. In most cases, decay in a tooth is treatable. However, when it has become extensive, those procedures cannot achieve the desired results, as the teeth now are unsalvageable. Damaged teeth are teeth that

are severely broken or cracked

, and the dentist will choose to extract them.

How bad is having a tooth pulled?

Although having a tooth pulled is usually very safe, the procedure can allow harmful bacteria into the bloodstream. Gum tissue is also at

risk of infection

. If you have a condition that puts you at high risk for developing a severe infection, you may need to take antibiotics before and after the extraction.

Can a dentist pull a tooth that is broken off at the gum line?

A

surgical extraction

– this is a more complex procedure, which is used if a tooth may have broken off at the gum line or has not erupted in the mouth. The oral surgeon will make a small incision into your gum to surgically remove the broken tooth or impacted wisdom tooth.

What happens if root is left after extraction?

A

retained root tip may continue to generate infection

that can lead to more serious oral health issues. Longer healing times: Retained root tips can lead to longer healing times after root canal.

Can you sue a dentist for leaving a piece of tooth?


Yes, you can sue your dentist for cracking a tooth

. The same standard of care is applied to dentists as medical doctors and nurses. If the dentist breaches his or her duty to a patient, they may be cause for action.

What do you do when half your tooth breaks off?

If your tooth cracks in half, call your dental office immediately to set up an appointment. Make sure to let them know, your tooth is cracked in half. A broken tooth is

not something you should put off

. It could get worse and become infected.

Is it better to have root canal or extraction?


A root canal has a better success rate than a tooth extraction

because there are little to no future complications associated with the procedure. Root canals are performed by dentists to clean and restore an infected tooth. There is no need to extract or remove the tooth.

What happens to the root of a broken tooth?

Usually, when a tooth is removed by a dentist, the roots are taken out with it. However, if the tooth is lost through accident or decay, the root or roots

may be retained within the jawbone and gums

, causing problems such as mouth infections and pain. If this is the case, the roots need to be surgically removed.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.