Wisdom tooth extraction is a common surgical procedure, often performed because these third molars lack sufficient space to erupt fully, leading to impaction, pain, or infection. After the teeth are removed, patients frequently ask if they can take them home. Patients are generally allowed to keep their extracted teeth, but this requires preparation and coordination with the dental practice. Although the teeth are your property, regulations surrounding their handling mean the process is not as simple as just asking for them on the day of the surgery.
Understanding the Regulations: Teeth as Biohazardous Waste
Dental practices operate under strict health and safety guidelines that classify extracted teeth as potentially infectious material. Because the teeth are covered in blood and tissue upon removal, they fall under the scope of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. This regulation is designed to protect dental staff from exposure to bloodborne illnesses, such as HIV or Hepatitis B virus.
If a patient does not request the teeth, the practice must dispose of them as regulated medical waste, typically in a sharps container or biohazard bag. State and local regulations provide guidelines for the handling and disposal of this type of waste. The classification of extracted teeth as potential biohazards governs how the clinic must handle them immediately after the procedure.
This regulatory framework is why a dental office may initially be reluctant to hand over the teeth without following a specific protocol. Once an extracted tooth is returned to the patient, it is no longer considered a risk to the dental personnel and is no longer subject to the OSHA standard. Therefore, the primary concern for the clinic is the safe preparation of the tooth for its return to the patient.
A separate consideration is a tooth that contains amalgam, a material used in older fillings that includes mercury. Extracted teeth with amalgam cannot be incinerated because the process can release mercury vapor into the air. If the teeth contain amalgam, they must be handled and disposed of as universal or hazardous waste, often requiring recycling rather than standard medical waste disposal.
Steps to Requesting Your Extracted Wisdom Teeth
The most important step for a patient is to communicate the desire to keep the teeth well in advance of the extraction appointment. Informing the dental team beforehand allows them to prepare the necessary materials and adjust their procedural plan. The initial request ensures the teeth are not immediately placed into the regulated medical waste stream.
The dental practice will then take steps to disinfect the teeth to make them safe for transport and handling. They may use an ultrasonic cleaner and detergent to remove visible blood and debris from the tooth surface. Following this cleaning, the teeth must be disinfected or sterilized.
Common methods for decontamination include soaking the teeth in a solution of diluted household bleach, such as a 1:10 ratio, or using a more thorough sterilization method like autoclaving. Autoclaving uses high-pressure steam to eliminate all microorganisms. For teeth without amalgam, autoclaving is a reliable method; teeth with amalgam are often submerged in a 10% formalin solution for a defined period instead, as heat can vaporize the mercury.
Some dental offices may require the patient to sign a waiver acknowledging that the tooth has been returned and that the patient assumes responsibility for its handling and further storage. Once the teeth are cleaned and disinfected according to the office’s protocol, they will be placed in a sealed container for the patient to take home.
Proper Handling and Storage After Removal
Once you receive your extracted and disinfected teeth, ensure they are fully clean and dry for long-term preservation. You can clean them further at home using mild soap and a soft brush to remove any remaining organic material. After cleaning, some people choose to soak the teeth in a disinfecting solution, like a diluted bleach or hydrogen peroxide mixture, for a day or two.
For permanent storage, the teeth must be completely dry to prevent degradation. Storing them in a cool, dry place within an airtight container, such as a small glass jar or a display box, is generally sufficient for simple preservation. Alternatively, for preservation that maintains the tooth’s appearance, some people choose to embed the cleaned teeth in a clear resin or acrylic block.
Another method for preservation is storing the teeth submerged in a solution. A 10% formalin solution is a common choice for long-term preservation, which can be purchased from pharmacies or online retailers. If you do not plan to display the teeth in resin or liquid, ensuring they are kept dry and protected from physical damage is the most straightforward method for preservation.