Tooth extraction or dental extraction is the removal of tooth from the mouth. This can also be the basis for future cosmetic dental treatments.
Extractions can be simple or surgically done. Simple extractions are usually performed when the tooth is visible, already loose and only require dental forceps to lift it after it has been rocked back and forth. On the other hand, surgical extraction involves the removal of teeth that cannot be easily accessed because they have not fully erupted or they have broken under the gums. This requires an incision and frequently, the tooth to be extracted are split into multiple pieces to be able to easily remove it.
When your dentist decides that a tooth has to be removed, he may either do it on your regular check up or schedule this procedure. He may then recommend cosmetic dental options thereafter. As for pain control, you will also be given the choice of oral sedation or inhalation sedation. But you need not worry about the pain, because we’ll take care of it.
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars found at the very back of the mouth. Most people get them during their late teens or early twenties. They are a valuable asset when they grow healthy and properly positioned but they may require removal when they get misaligned or impacted.
When misaligned, wisdom teeth can grow inwards, sideways and at times position themselves horizontally. This eventually crowds and damages the adjacent teeth, the jaw and to some extent, the nerves. Those that grow leaning towards other molars may make these teeth vulnerable to decay by harboring food particles and dental plaque. Impacted teeth are those that remain partially or completely entrapped within the soft tissues or within the jawbones. Wisdom tooth that only partially erupts through the gums leaves an opening for bacteria to enter and multiply and cause infections.
Let your dentist examine the positioning of your wisdom teeth. An x-ray can evaluate the alignment of your teeth. Your dentist or oral surgeon may even advise extractions even before they completely erupt. This can help avoid a more complicated and painful extraction in the future. As a rule, wisdom teeth are removed at the earliest possible time, usually in the late teens, when the root of the teeth have not completely formed and the bones around the teeth are less dense.
General dentists are all trained to remove teeth, but not all dentists regularly do so for their own patients, for a variety of reasons. For example, if a tooth extraction is complex or requires general anesthesia, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon or suggest you consult one. In some cases, patients simply prefer to work with an oral surgeon for tooth extractions.
Your dentist should be able to tell you if you need a tooth or teeth removed for your overall oral health and comfort. If you are unsure of your dentist’s recommendation regarding your teeth, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion from another dental professional. In many instances, whether or not you need a tooth extracted is not a black and white issue: there may be both benefits and drawbacks to your choices. Your dentist should be able to discuss these pros and cons with you at length.
Whether you need someone to drive you home from our surgical center after your procedure depends upon the type of sedation that you choose. If you only use local anesthesia, you may drive yourself home. If you undergo general anesthesia or sedation, you will need a friend, family member, or loved one to help you get home and get you comfortable.
Follow-up procedures depend upon why you were having a tooth removed as well as whether the extraction was successful. If you are having a wisdom tooth removed, or if you are having a tooth removed due to overcrowding, you may not need any other procedures. However, if you are having teeth removed due to trauma, decay, or infection, you may consider having a dental implant, partial dentures, or a bridge. Speak to your surgeon about these options.
The type of anesthesia used during your tooth extraction will be discussed at your consultation. You may receive local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia, depending upon your procedure and your own comfort levels. No matter which type of anesthesia you decide upon, your operation will be painless. While patients often report soreness, swelling, and tenderness after the extraction, our medical team will make sure that you feel minimum discomfort with either over-the-counter or prescription pain medication.
