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Extracting an infected tooth

Should an infected tooth be treated with antibiotic before extraction?    Is this a judgement call by the dentist or should caution be used to reduce the risk of a puss pocket forming causing much more damage after extraction is complete?

And what does it mean when the local anesthesia still doesn't numb the area after the third dose?  Are there reasons that the local anesthesia would not work?

Thank you.
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540545 tn?1377622918
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It is a judgement call by your doctor on whether to prescribe antibiotics prior to extraction.  The extent of the infection is generally how the doctor will decide in addition to any possible medical problems you may have that would warrant it too.  Some conditions include poorly controlled diabetes, knee/hip replacement surgery, valvular problems in the heart, etc.  

If the infection is extensive and there is a risk for airway obstruction or spread to other places of the face/head, then antibiotics should be given.  Usually if the infection is minor, extraction will solve the problem.  

An infected area is highly acidic due to the production of acid by bacteria in an abscess.  An anesthetic solution is basic.  When they interact, sometimes the acid in the abscess will neutralize the anesthetic and you won't get numb.  Also, when you have pain, the area is more highly sensitive to pain so it may require more anesthetic.  

There are times when anesthetics don't numb the patient enough to get the tooth extracted that way, in which case pain medications and antibiotics may be prescribed to "calm" the area down prior to extraction.

Hope that helps
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Avatar universal
Thank you.
Helpful - 0

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