Tooth Extraction 101: All You Need to Know

The idea of having your teeth removed is enough to send a chill down your spine. But, one thing that you need to know is that our dentist in Phoenix can only recommend tooth extraction when it is necessary. Our goal is to preserve your teeth and maintain your oral health. Therefore, we only remove your permanent teeth when they are severely damaged and cannot be saved.

What is a Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction is the pulling of your teeth from the socket. This is a procedure done by an oral surgeon. Oral surgeons perform both simple and complex tooth extractions. They may perform soft tissue biopsies, tumor removal, and positioning of the implant. They also provide care to patients who need reconstructive dental surgery.

When is Tooth Removal Necessary?

Our dentist may recommend tooth extraction when you have any of the following dental problems:

Severely damaged teeth due to decay

Dental decay or cavities are caused by a bacterial infection. When you have mild to moderate dental decay, teeth fillings and a root canal may be done to save the teeth. However, when you have extensive decay, tooth extraction may be necessary to save the teeth from further damage and preserve your jaw health.

Impacted teeth 

The teeth can get impacted when you don’t have enough jaw space to hold the teeth. Wisdom teeth are the most affected because they come out after the jaw has attained full maturity. When the teeth are trapped underneath the gums, they can cause pain, swelling, and also weaken the teeth.

Gum disease 

The dentist may recommend tooth extraction as part of your periodontal disease treatment. The bacterial infection affects the gums, causing them to recede. This exposes the root of the teeth to bacteria which can cause them to decay. Furthermore, it affects the supporting bone causing it to deteriorate. Doing a tooth extraction is necessary to prevent the infection from spreading and damaging the bone support.

Overcrowded teeth 

Tooth extraction may be done in preparation for orthodontia. This is a treatment of straightening and repositioning the teeth. The orthodontic treatment is done using various devices such as braces.

The dentist may do a tooth extraction if the primary teeth fail to come out on time.

What Happens During Your Tooth Extraction Procedure?

The tooth extraction procedure can last between 30 and 60 minutes depending on the type of extraction. The type of tooth extraction depends on the size, shape, position, and location of the teeth. The oral surgeon can either do simple or surgical extraction.

A simple extraction involves removing a tooth that is visible above the gums and can be removed in one piece.

A surgical extraction is a bit complicated and it involves removing teeth that lie underneath the gum. The procedure removes the gum tissue, bone, or both.

The impacted teeth may need to be removed in pieces.

Preparation 

Before the procedure, you’ll have a consultation with the oral surgeon or dentist. The dentist will review your medical history. You may need to stop taking certain medications such as blood thinners a few days leading up to the surgery.

You may also have to take antibiotics before the procedure to help prevent infection.

The procedure 

Before starting the extraction process, the dentist will take an x-ray to evaluate the curvature and angle of your root. The dentist will numb the gums to ease the discomfort. Dental sedation may be used if you have a phobia to relax and keep you calm during the procedure.

Depending on the type, the dentist will either pull the tooth with forceps or cut it into little pieces for easy extraction.

The gum is stitched to control bleeding and facilitate healing.

What Can You Expect After?

There will be a pain, bleeding, and swelling following the extraction. A blood clot may also form on the socket, which is important to the healing process. It is vital to protect the blood clot to keep it from breaking. If it breaks, you may suffer from a dry socket or bad breath.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Brookstone Dental Clinic if you have tooth infection or pain for an assessment and treatment.