Extraction of teeth is an irreversible process and, whether routine or difficult, is a surgical procedure. As in any surgery there are some risks. They include but are not limited to:
- Swelling and or bruising and discomfort of the area.
- Stretching of the corners of the mouth resulting in cracking or bruising.
- Possible infection requiring further treatment.
- Dry socket-jaw pain beginning a few days after surgery, usually requiring addition care.
- Possible damage to adjacent teeth, especially those with large fillings or crowns.
- Numbness or altered sensation in the teeth, lip, tongue, chin, closeness of tooth roots to the nerve that can be bruised or injured.
- Possible involvement of the nerve within the lower jaw removal of lower molar teeth resulting in usually temporary but possible permanent numbness and/or tingling on the lower lip, right and left side.
- Limited jaw movement due to inflammation or swelling, most common after removal of wisdom teeth. Post-operative bleeding, significant bleeding is not common, but persistent bleeding can be common for several hours.
- Sharp ridges or bone splinters may form later at the edge of the socket. These may require another surgery to smooth or remove them.
- Jaw fracture while quite rare, it is possible in difficult or deeply impacted teeth. Drug reaction or side effects.
- Incomplete removal of tooth fragments to avoid injury to vital structures such as nerve or sinuses, sometimes small root tips may be left in place. Sinus involvement: the roots of the upper back teeth are often close to the sinus and sometimes a piece of the root can be displaced into the sinus, or an opening may occur into the mouth which may require additional care.