What Are the Common Complications of Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction is a common dental procedure in the UK, often considered routine by many dental professionals, and is sometimes a requirement for cosmetic dentists. However, like any medical procedure, it comes with its own set of risks and complications. While most extractions are performed without incident, complications can arise due to various factors, including dental negligence.

In the following guide, Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors outline the common complications associated with tooth extraction, how cosmetic dental negligence contributes to these issues, and what you can do if you find yourself dealing with dental negligence after a cosmetic procedure.

What is the standard procedure for tooth extraction?

Before any tooth extraction procedure, an initial consultation is essential. During this appointment, the dentist should discuss your dental history, conduct a thorough oral examination and take X-ray scans to assess the condition of your teeth and the surrounding structures. This is an essential step to determine whether removal is the best course of action, or if alternative treatments could be more suitable.

Anaesthesia and pain management

If extraction is necessary, the next step is administering anaesthesia. In the UK, local anaesthesia (which is applied to the area that is being operated on) is most commonly used for tooth extractions, although general anaesthesia (which affects the whole body and places you unconscious) may be considered for more complicated cases. Proper administration of anaesthesia improves the patient's comfort and reduces stress and pain during the procedure.

The extraction process

The actual extraction process can vary depending on the complexity of the case. For a simple extraction, the dentist uses instruments to grasp the tooth and remove it with controlled force. A surgical extraction may involve making an incision into the gum to access and remove the tooth. Throughout this process, the dentist should pay attention to the patient's comfort and any signs of complications.

Immediate aftercare

Once the tooth is successfully extracted, a gauze pad is usually placed over the extraction site to control bleeding and help a blood clot to form. In some cases, a few stitches may be required. The dentist should then provide immediate aftercare instructions, which may include advice on managing pain, swelling and bleeding, as well as dietary restrictions - such as only being able to eat soft foods while the wound heals.

Follow-up and long-term care

A follow-up appointment can be scheduled within a week of the extraction to assess the healing process and address any complications or concerns the patient has. This is also an opportunity for the dentist to provide long-term care advice, which may include recommendations for replacing the extracted tooth with a dental implant.

The dentist is responsible for ensuring that each step is carried correctly to minimise risks and complications. Failure to meet these standard procedures can be considered negligence, particularly if it leads to harm or injury to the patient.

Common complications in tooth extraction

Even in cases where a dentist does everything to a good standard, there is a chance of complications arising. These can be due to various factors, and the fault of different parties.

Infection

One of the most common complications following tooth extraction is infection. Bacteria can enter the open wound or socket, leading to symptoms such as swelling, redness and pus formation. This is typically due to poor oral hygiene, smoking or tobacco use, and pre-existing dental issues like gum disease.

Treatment for infection often involves antibiotics and may require additional surgical procedures to clean the infected area.

Dry Socket

Dry socket, or alveolar osteitis, occurs when the blood clot that usually forms after extraction is dislodged or dissolves, exposing the underlying bone and nerves. This can be extremely painful and delay the healing process.

Dry socket can be caused by:

• Smoking

• Poor oral hygiene

• Use of birth control pills

• History of dry socket in previous extractions

Treating a dry socket after tooth removal usually involves cleaning the empty socket and placing a medicated dressing to encourage healing.

Nerve damage

Nerve damage is a more severe but less common complication. It can result in numbness, tingling or even loss of taste, and can be temporary or permanent. Nerve damage following a tooth extraction is often the result of anesthetic complications, or can be due to the inexperience or lack of skill on the part of the dentist

Treatment options for nerve damage are limited and may involve further surgical intervention or long-term pain management. Nerve damage often has significant implications for the patient's quality of life.

What is cosmetic dental negligence?

Cosmetic dental negligence refers to the failure of a dental professional to provide the standard of care expected during cosmetic dental treatments, which leads to harm or injury to the patient. This can involve a wide range of procedures, from teeth whitening and veneers to more complex surgeries like dental implants.

In the UK, the concept of negligence is well-established in law. For a case to be considered as cosmetic dental negligence, three key elements must be proven:

1. Duty of care: it must be established that the dental professional owed a duty of care to the patient.

2. Breach of duty: the patient must prove that the dental professional breached that duty of care.

3. Causation: it must be proven that the breach of duty directly resulted in harm or injury to the patient.

Examples of cosmetic dental negligence can vary widely but often include:

• Poorly executed procedures: this could be a tooth removed incorrectly that causes damage or unnecessary pain.

• Lack of informed consent: failing to fully inform the patient of the risks involved in a procedure, not allowing them to make an informed decision as to whether they want to take the risks.

• Incorrect treatment: recommending and performing unnecessary or inappropriate treatments for financial gain or due to lack of expertise.

• Postoperative negligence: failing to provide adequate aftercare, which could lead to complications such as infection or prolonged pain.

The consequences of cosmetic dental negligence can be severe, affecting not just the patient's dental health but also their mental well-being and financial stability. Complications can require further treatments, leading to additional costs and time off work. On top of this, the psychological impact of a bad cosmetic procedure can affect self-esteem and overall quality of life.

How cosmetic dental negligence contributes to tooth extraction complications

One of the fundamental aspects of any surgical procedure, including tooth extraction, is the sterilisation of surgical instruments and the operating environment. Failure to adequately sterilise can lead to bacteria entering extraction site, subsequently causing infection.

Excessive force or incorrect technique during the extraction can dislodge the blood clot that forms in the socket, leading to dry socket. Failure to provide the patient with proper aftercare instructions, such as avoiding smoking or drinking through straws, can also contribute to the development of this painful condition.

If the dentist is not adequately trained in surgical extractions and attempts to remove an impacted tooth, they may inadvertently damage the nerves in the surrounding area.

In some cases, complications arise from procedures that were not necessary in the first place. If a dentist recommends an extraction without adequately exploring or explaining alternative treatments, and the patient experiences complications, this could be considered a form of negligence. Informed consent is a legal requirement and ethical obligation; failing to obtain it can have legal repercussions.

Aftercare is a critical component of the extraction process. Patients need to be informed about the signs of complications and the steps they can take to minimise risks. Negligence in providing aftercare instructions, or failing to schedule a follow-up appointment to assess the healing process, can worsen existing complications and may even lead to new ones.

What should you do if you've been treated negligently?

If you are concerned that you may have been mistreated by your dentist before, during or after your tooth extraction and it has caused issues, you should speak to a professional dental negligence solicitor. The team at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors regularly helps our clients to seek compensation for their suffering due to cosmetic dental procedures.

When you call us, we will discuss your circumstances to understand whether you may be able to make a compensation claim. If it's possible, we'll collect evidence to build a case that accurately represents your suffering and losses, and bring it against the responsible party so you can get the financial recompense and support you need.

For more information about how we can help, call us today on ong>0808 256 1297, or fill out an online form to arrange a time for us to call you back.