What are the long term effects of extraction?

Author: Dr. Eldred Yundt  |  Last update: Thursday, March 27, 2025

Summary of Key Points While it is necessary in many cases, long-term side effects of wisdom tooth extraction may exist as well. These side effects include nerve damage, chronic pain, TMJ disorders, sinus complications, changes in teeth alignment, and bone loss.

What is a long-term complication of tooth extraction?

One common long-term effect of tooth extraction is bone resorption. After a tooth is removed, the underlying jawbone can begin to shrink or deteriorate due to the lack of stimulation from the tooth's root.

Why is tooth extraction not recommended?

Tooth extraction, particularly through surgical means, has a high risk of adversely affecting nearby teeth. The tools used for tooth extraction, for example, can chip nearby teeth. The jawbone that supports the nearby teeth can be affected as well, causing the underlying teeth to loosen over time.

Can a tooth extraction hurt years later?

After surgery small pieces of bone called bone spicules tend to reach the surface of your gums sometimes during the months or years following the procedure. The emergence of these fragments leads to pain and sensitivities as well as irritation following their exit from the affected site.

Can tooth extraction damage other teeth?

A missing tooth can alter your bite, placing excessive stress on the teeth near the extraction site. Over time, this added pressure can lead to premature wear and tear, making the remaining teeth more vulnerable to damage or sensitivity.

Root Canal vs. Tooth Extraction: What’s the Right Choice?

Is it bad to have a tooth pulled and not replace it?

It's common for adults to lose a back molar, often to gum disease, tooth decay, or injury. Since back molars don't affect the overall appearance of your smile, you might be tempted to skip replacing it. That's not the best idea. Missing a tooth, even just one, can cause severe and permanent damage to your entire mouth.

What is the bad effect of tooth extraction?

What are the side effects of removing a tooth? Normal side effects following tooth extraction include bleeding, swelling and discomfort. Your dentist will provide instructions on how to successfully manage your healing.

Is a tooth extraction traumatic to the body?

A tooth extraction is traumatic to your mouth, but your body begins the healing process quickly. After a few days, you may even forget you've undergone the dental procedure. Treat the site of the extraction gently and follow your dentist's advice for fast healing and the best outcome.

Can you get infection years after tooth extraction?

Delayed-onset infections are rare postoperative complications of lower third molar extractions.

Why do dentists not want to pull teeth?

Another reason why dentists refuse to extract your tooth and convince you of the more expensive option is that when they pull your tooth out, the other teeth will shift. It would eventually harm your everyday functions, such as eating and smiling.

What happens to the nerve when a tooth is extracted?

In most cases, nerve damage during a tooth extraction is minimal. However, there are a few risks, particularly if the tooth is impacted or situated near important nerves. The nerves surrounding the tooth are usually well protected, but sometimes they can be irritated or even slightly damaged during the procedure.

What are the downsides of extraction?

After tooth extraction, you may experience some discomfort, swelling, and bruising in the extraction area. This usually subsides within a few days to a week, but it can be inconvenient during the recovery period.

What if I don't want my tooth removed?

Most decay-related tooth problems do not require tooth extraction. Most cavities can be easily treated with a simple filling. More advanced decay or infections can typically be treated with root canal therapy. This procedure can save an infected or damaged tooth by removing the affected pulp and sealing the tooth.

Is it better to get a root canal or extraction?

The major advantage of a root canal is that it preserves the existing natural tooth and avoids extensive and costly restorative treatment (such as a bridge or implant) to replace it. An extraction is just what it sounds like: the complete removal of a tooth and its periodontal attachment from its bony socket.

What happens to the jaw bone after tooth extraction?

That said, it's important to note when a tooth is lost, the surrounding alveolar bone – which exists solely to support teeth – begins to shrink due to the absence of chewing forces that stimulate bone-making cells. In other words, tooth extraction can lead to bone loss.

What does dental sepsis feel like?

What does dental sepsis feel like? Unlike the localized discomfort of a typical toothache, dental sepsis manifests as a systemic illness, affecting the entire body. Individuals with dental sepsis may experience fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing.

Why do my gums hurt years after tooth extraction?

Atypical odontalgia, also known as atypical facial pain, phantom tooth pain, or neuropathic orofacial pain, is characterized by chronic pain in a tooth or teeth, or in a site where teeth have been extracted or following endodontic treatment, without an identifiable cause.

Why do experts now say not to remove your wisdom teeth?

Like any surgery, it involves anesthesia, incisions, and the possibility of post-operative complications such as infection and dry socket. These risks may outweigh the potential benefits if the wisdom teeth are not causing any immediate problems or impeding oral health.

What happens if you have a tooth pulled and don't replace it?

After you undergo a tooth extraction, you will need to replace the missing tooth or teeth. If the teeth are not replaced, the bones in your mouth can weaken and lose density. Other teeth also might shift, and you might experience trouble eating. Fortunately, you have several replacement options for missing teeth.

What happens to brain after tooth extraction?

Specifically, we found that tooth extraction leads to: (1) reduced gray matter volume in several forebrain regions including the sensorimotor cortex, insula, cingulate cortex, and basal ganglia; (2) increased gray matter volume in several brainstem sensory and motor nuclei, and in the cerebellum; (3) increased gray ...

Why no dairy after tooth extraction?

Dairy products, particularly raw milk, can harbor bacteria, which might interfere with the healing process. Moreover, these bacteria might also disturb the careful balance of oral flora, causing potential pain and discomfort.

Why shouldn't I get my 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.

What are the side effects of tooth extraction at old age?

Bleeding, poor socket healing, dry socket pain, trismus, paresthesia, viral or bacterial infections, osteonecrosis, osteitis, and osteomyelitis may also occur. Although less common, reactive tissue developing in the gingiva or alveolus shortly after extraction is a significant complication.

What are the late complications of tooth extraction?

Complications after a dental procedure that include swelling and pain, bleeding, dry socket, osteomyelitis, and osteonecrosis of the jaw comprise another set of urgent dental problems that require prompt attention.

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