Please remember that some teeth sit close to the nerves, other teeth and other structures in the jaw. If this is the case, you will be warned about specific risks in advance of your own treatment.
Any possible difficulties or complications will be discussed with you before your treatment starts.
Frequently occurring problems
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Pain
- Failure of local anaesthetic
- Bruising
- Infection (dry socket)
- Breakage of the tooth or root
- Limited opening or stiffness of the jaw
Other, less common, complications
- A hole into the sinus that may need surgical repair
- Displacement of the tooth into the sinus or fracture of the tuberosity (bone next to the top back tooth).
- Nerve damage leading to altered sensation or numbness of your lip, teeth, tongue or gums. You may feel some numbness over your face or within your mouth due to a bruised nerve. This usually goes away on its own, but it can take a few months.
- Retained root which, after discussion, may be best left in place.
