Extraction and Denture

Question:

“I had a molar tooth extracted yesterday and had a partial denture put in straight away. It is now starting the clot, but over the denture as well.
Will this form over my denture when it is healed? Should I do anything?”

Answer:

Tooth Extraction Healing

After tooth removal, the empty socket will usually heal over time by itself.  Tooth extraction healing times vary, and depend on individual patients. It is normal that you will have a blood clot after tooth extraction. A partial denture is sometimes inserted shortly after extractions if only a few teeth are removed for esthetic reasons.

Partial Dentures work as Bandages after Extractions

During this time, the partial denture acts as a band-aid.  Most dentists recommend for you to sleep with the denture in for the first night, and then return the next day for a 24-hour post insertion recall appointment.  At that time, the dentist will remove the denture from your mouth, lightly debride the extraction site, and the denture itself.  If everything appears normal, the dentist will make adjustments as needed to the partial and place it back in your mouth.

After this appointment, return to normal home care for a partial, which includes removing it every night to clean and soak.

Tips to Remember After Extractions and Denture Delivery

A few things to note during extraction healing:

• Very gentle rinsing after the first 24 hrs with warm salt water is advisable, as this helps to remove any food around the extraction site. Please note that only very gentle spitting is advisable!
• Remove dentures at night, store and clean as per instructions given.
• Very gentle brushing around the extraction site, to keep the area clean.

Your tissues need a ‘break’, so very gentle rinsing and very gentle brushing at night, along with taking the denture out overnight, will help with the healing process. The clot itself will not heal over the denture. The excess clotted blood around the site (and around your denture) can be removed carefully with a damp, clean gauze.

Save My Smile Team

What is an Obturator?

Question:

What is a snap on obturator?

Answer:

As related to dentistry, an obturator refers to a replacement prosthetic device that is used to replace upper teeth or associated structures (palate, gingiva, etc) that may have been damaged in surgery, trauma, or altered development.  This device is only used for the maxilla, and depending on the individual’s needs, could resemble a denture.

Hope these tips help out and good luck,

SaveMySmile Team

My root canal failed!

Question:

I had a root canal done and it abscessed. I haven’t got it finished all the way yet. Can I safely pull the tooth, and be done with it.

Answer:

Now before you think about pulling the tooth, let’s think about some other factors that will come into play down the road.  Once that tooth is gone, the tooth behind it and the tooth across from it (in the opposite jaw) will begin to slowly drift into the open space.  This will cause the other teeth to drift also, resulting in open spaces amongst your teeth.  You will eventually have to replace the space with either a bridge, implant, or partial denture which are all pretty costly.

Root canal procedures don’t have a 100% success rate, sometimes they do fail.  However, retreatment is always an option and definitely cheaper as compared to some of your other options.  Being that your procedure wasn’t finished, the pathway for bacteria wasn’t completely blocked meaning it had an opportunity to repopulate or wasn’t completely removed.

If would be best, in the long run, if you were to return to have the procedure completed or retreated.  Yea, it may be cheaper and easier to pull the tooth now, but believe us, you may regret this decision down the road.

Good luck with your decision,

SaveMySmile Team