Gentle and Professional Tooth Extractions
As dental professionals, our priority is to help you maintain a healthy smile with all of your natural teeth. However, there are instances where saving a tooth is not possible.
Tooth extraction may be necessary due to issues like crowding, disease, or trauma. Regardless of the reason, we take a conservative approach to every extraction. While the term "oral surgery" may sound daunting, most extractions are routine and straightforward. Our experienced doctor will carry out the procedure with precision, ensuring a smooth recovery and optimal results.
If left untreated, a problematic tooth can cause pain, infection, and further dental complications.
What Is a Tooth Extraction?
One of the most common types of tooth extraction is wisdom tooth removal. Wisdom teeth are often extracted because they can cause issues with nearby teeth or become infected, which is why they are frequently removed either before or after they fully emerge. Other reasons for tooth extractions include:
- Severe tooth decay
- Damaged, broken, or infected teeth
- Teeth that don’t emerge correctly or at all
- Gum disease
- Creating space for teeth to shift during orthodontic treatment
- Side effects from certain medications or medical treatments
What to Expect During a Tooth Extraction
Before performing any tooth extraction, the dentist will take x-rays to determine the best approach. If the extraction is necessary, the dentist will numb the area around the tooth using a local anesthetic. If you're feeling anxious about the procedure, dental sedation is an option to help you relax. Keep in mind, if sedation is used, you’ll need someone to drive you home afterward.
For a simple extraction, the process is typically straightforward. The goal is to carefully remove the tooth from its socket. To achieve this, the dentist will first widen the socket by gently wiggling the tooth using an instrument called an elevator. Once the tooth becomes loose, it will be removed with forceps, which resemble pliers or tweezers. While you may feel some pressure during the extraction, the local anesthetic ensures there is no pain. Afterward, the dentist will clean the empty socket and apply gauze to stop any bleeding.
Difference Between Simple and Surgical Tooth Extractions
There are two main types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical.
A simple extraction is a straightforward, minimally invasive procedure performed when the tooth is fully visible in the mouth. This allows the dentist to remove the tooth without affecting the surrounding bone or gums.
A surgical extraction is more complex and is necessary when a tooth or part of a tooth is positioned below the gumline. In these cases, the dentist or oral surgeon must move or remove gum and sometimes bone tissue to access and extract the remaining tooth fragments.
Surgical extractions differ from simple extractions in two key ways. First, the dentist will make a small incision in your gums to expose the jawbone, creating a "gum flap" for better access. Second, if necessary, a small amount of bone may need to be removed to access stubborn tooth fragments stuck in the socket. This is done using a drill, with care to remove as little bone as possible.
Since surgical extractions are considered a surgical procedure, stitches will be required afterward. Your dentist or oral surgeon may also prescribe pain medication to help manage discomfort during your recovery.
Aftercare
Proper aftercare is crucial for a successful recovery after a tooth extraction. Whether you’ve had a simple or surgical extraction, following your dentist’s or oral surgeon’s instructions is essential for healing.
Once the tooth is removed, the empty socket will gradually fill with a blood clot, which functions like a scab to stop bleeding and kickstart the healing process. It's important to protect this blood clot—avoid touching it!
For the first three days following your extraction, refrain from smoking, drinking through a straw, spitting, or blowing your nose. These actions create pressure that can dislodge the blood clot and expose the socket, leading to a painful condition called a dry socket. If this happens, contact us immediately for assistance.
If you follow your aftercare instructions and avoid complications like dry sockets, most of the major healing will occur within one to two weeks after your procedure.
It’s also important to note that after losing a tooth, your jaw and remaining teeth may shift to fill the gap. This can impact your dental health and overall quality of life. To prevent these changes, you may want to consider replacing the missing tooth with a dental bridge or implant. Contact us to learn more about your options for tooth replacement.