Complications of teeth extraction

Dr.Mohamed Rahil
(( Maxillofacial surgeon ))
Tikrit dentistry college
2015 -2016

1. Perioperative complications: are the complications
that occur during the surgical procedure
2. postoperative complications: occur during the
postoperative period.

 Fracture of the crown of the adjacent tooth or luxation of the
adjacent tooth
 Soft tissue injuries
 Fracture of the alveolar process
 Fracture of the maxillary tuberosity
 Fracture of the mandible
 Broken instrument in tissues
 Dislocation of the temporomandibular joint
 Subcutaneous or submucosal emphysema
 Hemorrhage
 Displacement of the root or root tip into soft tissues
 Displacement of an impacted tooth, root or root tip into the
maxillary sinus
 Oroantral communication
 Nerve injury

 Trismus
 Hematoma
 Ecchymosis
 Edema
 Postextraction granuloma
 Painful postextraction socket
 Fibrinolytic alveolitis (dry socket)
 Infection of wound
 Disturbances in postoperative wound healing

 Due to extensive caries or a large restoration
 Luxation or dislocation of an adjacent tooth occurs when great
amount of force is exerted during the luxation attempt,
particularly when the adjacent tooth is used as a fulcrum.
 When an adjacent tooth is inadvertently luxated or partially
avulsed, the tooth is stabilized for approximately 40–60 days.
 If there is still pain during percussion then the tooth must be
endodontically treated.
 If the tooth is dislocated, it must be repositioned and stabilized for
3–4 weeks.

 Due to inappropriate manipulation
of instruments (e.g., slippage of
elevator) during the removal of
teeth.
 Injury by the elevator may also
occur at the corner of the mouth
and lips because of prolonged and
excessive retraction force and
pressure during the extraction of
posterior teeth.

 Burn may occur on the lower lip if an overheated surgical
handpiece comes into contact with the lip.
 Abrasions also happen when the shank of a rotating bur
comes into contact with the area
 Tearing of the flap during reflection, as well as tearing of the
gingiva during extraction.

 When injuries are small and localized there is no
particular treatment.
 In certain cases healing is facilitated if the lesion is
covered with petrolatum (Vaseline) (e.g., lip injury), or
with any other appropriate ointment. This may also
lessen the patient’s discomfort.
 When the injury is extensive, and there is also
hemorrhaging, the surgical procedure must be postponed
and the dentist must control the bleeding and proceed
with suturing of the wound.

 Cause : inappropriate extraction movements or ankylosis of the
tooth in the alveolar process
 Fracture of the lingual cortical plate is especially significant, because
the lingual nerve may also be traumatized

 Small piece of bone which is
separated from the periosteum,
should be removed and the
sharp edges of the remaining
bone are smoothed and the
area is irrigated with saline
solution and the wound is
sutured.
 If the broken part of the
alveolar process is still attached
to the overlying soft tissues,
then it may remain after
stabilization and suturing of the
mucoperiosteum.

 May lead to oroantral communications .
 Create problems for the retention of a full
denture in the future.

 This complication may occur during the
extraction of a posterior maxillary tooth
due to :
1. Weakening of the bone of the maxillary
tuberosity,due to the maxillary sinus
pneumatizing into the alveolar process.
2. forceful and careless movements.
3. Ankylosis of a maxillary molar .
4. Decreased resistance of the bone of the
region, due to a semi-impacted or impacted
third molar.

 When the fractured segment still attached to the periosteum,it is
repositioned and the mucoperiosteum is sutured.
 Extraction of the tooth is postponed, if possible, for
approximately 1.5–2 months, where upon the fracture will have
healed and the extraction may be performed with the surgical
technique.
 If the bone segment has been completely separated from the
periosteum and oroantral communication occurs, the tooth is first
removed and the bone is then smoothed and the wound is tightly
sutured.
 Broad-spectrum antibiotics and nasal decongestants are
prescribed.

 Rare complication associated mainly with the
extraction of impacted mandibular third molars.

 excessive force with the
elevator
 Inadequate pathway for
removal of the impacted
 ankylosed tooth

 Weak mandible due to artophy or when other
impacted teeth are also present, or in the case of
extensive edentulous regions and the presence of
large pathologic lesions in the area of the tooth to
be extracted

 When a fracture occurs during the extraction,the tooth must
be removed to avoid infection along the line of the fracture.
 Afterwards, depending on the case, stabilization by way of
intermaxillary fixation or rigid internal fixation of the jaw
segments is applied for 4–6 weeks
 Broad-spectrum Antibiotics .

 Result from excessive force during luxation of the tooth and
usually involves the end of the blade of elevators.
 Also, the anesthesia needle or bur may break during the
removal of the bone surrounding the impacted tooth or root.
 Breakage may be the result of repeated use of the instrument
altering its metallic composition (mainly of the bur).
 After precise radiographic localization, the broken pieces are
removed surgically at the same time as extraction of the
tooth or root

 occur during a lengthy surgical procedure.
 The patient is unable to close their mouth (open bite) and
movement is restricted.
 Prevention : mandible should be supported firmly during an
extraction and patients must avoid opening their mouth
excessively
 Treatment : Immediately after the dislocation, the thumbs are
placed on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth,while the rest of the
fingers surround the body of the mandible right and left. Pressure
is then exerted downward backward and then upwards until the
condyle is replaced in its original position
 After repositioning, the patient must limit any movement of the
mandible that may lead to excessive opening of the mouth for a
few days

 Result from air entering the loose connective tissue, when an air-
rotor is used in the surgical procedure for the removal of bone or
for sectioning the impacted tooth.
 Clinically, the region swells, sometimes extending into the neck
and facial area, with a characteristic crackling sound during
palpation (crepitus).
 There is no specific treatment. It usually subsides spontaneously
after 2–4 days.Some people recommend the administration of
antibiotics.

 Common complication in oral surgery, and may occur during a
simple tooth extraction or during any other surgical procedure.
 May be due to trauma of the vessels in the region as well as to
problems related to blood coagulation.
 Severe hemorrhagic diatheses (e.g., hemophilia,etc.) should be
ascertained by taking a thorough medical history.
 Postoperative bleeding in healthy patients may be the result of
poor hemostasis of the wound due to insufficient compression, or
to inadequate removal of inflammatory and hyperplastic tissue
from the surgical field.

The main means of arresting bleeding are
 Compression
 Ligation
 Suturing
 Electrocoagulation
 Use of various hemostatic agents.

Compression :
 Achieved by placing gauze over the bleeding site with pressure.
 Placing pressure by biting on a gauze for 10–30 min over the
postextraction wound or other superficial bleeding areas is
usually sufficient.
 Bone wax may also be used to arrest bone bleeding, which is
placed with pressure inside the bleeding bone cavity.
 Packing iodoform gauze, inside the alveolus may arrest
bone bleeding as well.
 This gauze may remain inside the cavity, depending on the
case, for between 10 min and 3–4 days, after which it is
removed.

 Suturing the wound mechanically obstructs the severed
end of the bleeding vessel.
 This technique is used for arresting soft tissue
hemorrhage as well as postextraction bleeding
 If it is impossible to coapt the wound margins, gauze
pack is placed over the wound, which is stabilized with
sutures over the post extraction socket for 2–3 days.

Ligation : is the most successful way to control soft tissue
hemorrhage that involves a large vessel.
 Hemostat is used to clamp and ligate the vessel within a few
minutes, without ligation of the tissues

 Electrocoagulation is based on the coagulation of blood
through the application of heat, resulting in the retraction
of tissues in a necrotic mass.

Hemostatic materials : such as vasoconstrictors (adrenaline),
alginic acid, etc.
 Used to arrest capillary hemorrhage and are used topically
over the bleeding area.
 These materials are suitable only for local application
especially to control bleeding of the postextraction
alveolus.
 In the case of a relatively small hemorrhage, which
persists despite biting on a gauze pack over the
postextraction wound,an absorbable hemostatic sponge
is placed inside the alveolus and pressure is applied over
the gauze, or the wound margins are sutured with a
figure-eight suture.

In patients with a hemorrhagic diathesis , a pressure
pack is placed over the wound and the patient is
referred to a hospital formore effective treatment
(administration of replacement factors,etc.).

This complication may occur in the following situations:
1. When the buccal or lingual cortical plate, as well as the root
tip region of maxillary posterior teeth is eroded.
2. In the case of perforation of the bone as a result of
continuous attempts to remove the root tip

Treatment
 exact position should be localized by careful palpation of the area
suspected of containing the displaced root tip.
 Displacement of the root tip between bone and the mucosa of the
maxillary sinus does not usually require any treatment.(just
antibiotic)
 Displacement of Impacted Tooth, Root, or Root Tip into Maxillary
Sinus removal better to done immediately, to avoid infection of
the sinus
 The exact position of the tooth or root tip must be confirmed with
radiographic examination.
 Removal of the tooth or root from the maxillary sinus is usually
achieved with Caldwell–Luc approach.
 Antibiotic treatment and nasal decongestants are also
administered

 Common complication with extraction of maxillary
posterior teeth
 Confirmed by observing the passage of air or bubbling of
blood from the postextraction alveolus when the patient
tries to exhale (( gently)) through their nose while their
nostrils are pinched (Valsalva test).

Oroantral communication may be the result
of :
1. Displacement of an impacted tooth or root tip
into the maxillary sinus during a removal
attempt.
2. Closeness of the root tips to the floor of the
maxillary sinus.
3. The presence of a periapical lesion that has
eroded the bone wall of the maxillary sinus floor
4. Extensive fracture of the maxillary tuberosity
(during the extraction of a posterior tooth), where
upon part of the maxillary sinus may be removed
together with the maxillary tuberosity.
5. Extensive bone removal for extraction of an
impacted tooth or root.

Preventive Measures :
 Radiographic examination of the region surrounding
the tooth to be extracted
 Careful manipulations with instruments, especially
during the luxation of a root tip of a maxillary
posterior tooth
 Careful debridement of periapical lesions that are close
to the maxillary sinus
 Avoiding luxation of the root tip if visualization of the
area is hindered by hemorrhage

 Treatment: depends on its size and when treatment is to be
scheduled
 small-sized oroantral communication, which is perceived
immediately after the extraction, treatment consists of suturing
the gingiva with a figure eight suture.
 When the soft tissues do not suffice, a small portion of the
alveolar bone is removed with a bone rongeur so that the buccal
and palatal mucosa can be reapproximated more easily,
facilitating closure of the oroantral communication.
 Nasal decongestants should be prescribed. The patient is given
appropriate instructions (e.g., avoiding sneezing, blowing nose),
and is should go back for examination in 15 days.

 A large oroantral communication or one that has remained open
for 15 days or longer must be treated using other techniques
(such as the closure with flap procedure, either immediately or
at a later date), which ensure restoration. These techniques are
achieved using pedicle mucoperiosteal flaps (buccal, palatal
flaps)
 The technique of immediate closure with a flap procedure is
indicated when the sinus is free of disease, when infection of the
maxillary sinus is present, the flap procedure technique is
performed together with trephination of the antrum.

 The most common nerve injuries are of the inferior alveolar,
mental, and lingual nerves.
 Nerve trauma may cause sensory disturbances in the innervated
area
 According to Seddon’s classification of nerve injuries, there are
three types of nerve damage:
 neurapraxia
 axonotmesis
 neurotmesis

Neurapraxia: has the most favorable prognosis and may occur even after
simple contact with the nerve.
 Nerve conduction failure is usually temporary and there is complete
recovery,without permanent pathologic and anatomic defects.
 Recovery is quite rapid and occurs gradually within a few days to weeks.
Axonotmesis: This result in degeneration of the nerve axons, without anatomic
severance of the endoneurium.
 Regeneration and recovery of sensation is slower than in neurapraxia and
usually begins as paresthesia 6–8 weeks after injury
 Regeneration of the nerve may be exceptionally favorable, but there is a
chance of a certain degree of sensory disturbance of the area remaining.
Neurotmesis: This is the gravest type of nerve injury,
 Resulte from nerve cut or due to the formation of scar tissue at the area of
trauma.
 This type of injury may cause permanent damage to nerve function.

Dental etiology of Nerve injury :
 Nerve block (rarely) of the inferior alveolar nerve and mental
nerve.
 Incision that extends to the region of the mental foramen and
the lingual vestibular fold.
 Excessive flap retraction and compression with retractors during
retraction in the region of the mental nerve or at the lingual
region of the third molar.
 When bone near a nerve is excessively heated, if the bur of the
surgical handpiece is not irrigated
 In the case of removal of impacted teeth, roots and root tips that
are deep in the bone and are close to the mental or inferior
alveolar nerves

 Prognosis : The prognosis for recovery of an injured nerve
depends on the type of damage, the age of the patient,
and the time that elapsed until management of the
injury.
 Neurapraxia and axonotmesis, have good prognosis.
 Neurotmesis, where the nerve has been severely
traumatized prognosis is poor .

Treatment:
 No particular therapy is indicated for neurapraxia
or axonotmesis, unless there is a root tip or other
foreign body compressing the nerve, in which case
it must be removed.
 Treatment is usually palliative,including the
administration of analgesics in painful situations,
and multi-vitamin supplements of the vitamin B
complex to restore sensation more rapidly.
 Damage to the nerve as a result of neurotmesis
must be treated as soon as possible; often, a graft
must replace the injured nerve segments or the
severed segments must be sutured.

 Trismus usually occurs in cases of extraction of mandibular
third molars, and is characterized by a restriction of the
mouth opening due to spasm of the masticatory muscles .
This spasm may be the result of:
 Injury of the medial pterygoid muscle caused by a needle
(repeated injections during inferior alveolar nerve block)
 Trauma of the surgical field, especially when difficult
lengthy surgical procedures are performed.
 Inflammation of the postextraction wound, hematoma, and
postoperative edema.
 Treatment: The management of trismus depends on the
cause.
 Most cases do not require any particular therapy.
 When acute inflammation or hematoma is the cause of
trismus, hot mouth rinses are recommended initially, and
then broad-spectrum antibiotics
Trismus

 Occure when the correct measures for control of bleeding
are not taken (ligation of small vessels, etc.).
 Blood accumulates inside the tissues, without any
escape from the closed wound or tightly sutured flaps
under pressure.
 Treatment : If a hematoma is formed during the first few
hours after the surgical procedure, therapeutic
management consists of placing cold packs extraorally
during the first 24 h, and then heat therapy to help it to
subside more rapidly. Some people recommend the
administration of antibiotics to avoid suppuration of
the hematoma, and analgesics for pain relief

 Occur due to injury to blood capillaries mainly during flap
retraction with various retractors.
 In order to avoid such a complication, retractors must be handled
gently.
 Treatment: No particular treatment is required. The patient should be
informed that it is not a serious situation and that ecchymoses gradually
subside within a few days.

 Occur secondary to soft tissue trauma.
 It is the result of extravasation of fluid by the traumatized tissues
because of destruction or obstruction of lymph vessels, resulting in the
cessation of drainage of lymph, which accumulates in the tissues.
 Swelling reaches a maximum within 48–72 h after the surgical procedure
and begins to subside on the third or fourth day postoperatively.
 Depending on the amount of tissue injury in the area, the edema ranges
from small to moderate and, rarely, severe.

 Treatment : A small-sized edema does not require any
therapeutic management. For preventive reasons, cold packs
should be applied locally immediately after surgery.
 Sever edema must be treated carefully, because if edema present
for a prolonged period may lead to fibrosis, and if extend to
facial and pharyngeal spaces may lead to asphexia . treatment
here include intravenous administration of 250–500mg
hydrocortisone and broad spectrum antibiotics .

 This complication occurs 4–5 days after the extraction of the
tooth and is the result of the presence of a foreign body in
the alveolus, e.g., amalgam remnants, small tooth
fragments, calculus, etc.
 Treatment: debridement of the alveolus and removal of
every causative agent.

 This is a common complication, which
occurs immediately after the anesthetic
wears off.
 Due to sharp bony spicules, the uneven
bone edges injure the soft tissues of the
postextraction socket, resulting in severe
pain and inflammation at the extrac-
tion site.
 Treatment : This complication is treated
with smoothing of the bone margins of
the wound, especially the intraradicular
bone. In addition to giving the patient
analgesics, gauze impregnated with
eugenol can be placed over the wound
margins for 36–48 h.

 This postoperative complication appears 2–3 days after the
extraction.
 blood clot disintegrations result in delayed healing and
necrosis of the bone surface of the socket .
 Characterized by an empty socket, fetid breath odor, a bad
taste in the mouth, denuded bone walls, and severe pain that
radiates to other areas of the head.
 As for the etiology and pathogenesis of dry socket, various
factors have been cited, some of which include:
 dense and sclerotic bone surrounding the tooth
 Infection during or after the extraction
 Injury of the alveolus, and infiltration anesthesia

Treatment:
 gentle irrigation of the socket with warm saline solution,
and placing gauze impregnated with eugenol, which is
replaced approximately every 24 h, until the pain subsides.
Also, gauze soaked in zinc-oxide/eugenol may be used, which
remains inside the alveolus for 5 days,alternatively
iodoform gauze are applied locally.

Complications of teeth extraction

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