If you’re suffering from tooth damage, decay, infection, or crowding, your dental practitioner might recommend a tooth extraction. People wearing braces might also need to have a few teeth extracted to make room for other teeth.
Adults whose wisdom teeth are growing out might also get them removed to relieve the pain.
Tooth extraction is a quick process in which a tooth is removed from its socket, and doing that can improve your oral health.
Your dentist will remove the problematic tooth by administering topical, local, general, or intravenous anesthesia.
Depending upon the tooth’s condition, you might receive a combination of these.
When is it Recommended to Have Your Tooth Extracted?
Dentists are generally against removing natural teeth if they don’t need to be removed.
But if dental procedures such as root canals, or restorative procedures such as dental crowns or dental fillings, do not seem to work and the tooth damage is irreversible, in that case, there’s no option except to extract it.
Tooth extraction is recommended in the following cases:
| • | Cavities and tooth decay |
| • | Crowding of teeth in the mouth |
| • | Broken tooth |
| • | Orthodontic treatment |
| • | Impacted wisdom teeth |
| • | Gum disease |
| • | Dental injury |
Who Performs Tooth Extractions?
Usually, your dentist will perform the simple procedure of extracting the damaged tooth. In severe cases, the case can be referred to dental specialists, such as periodontists and oral surgeons.
What Are The Advantages of Tooth Extraction?
| • | Reduction of damage-causing bacteria |
| • | Prime oral health |
| • | Ease of dental pain |
| • | Removal of infection |
| • | Space for new teeth |
Preparing for a Tooth Extraction
Your dentist will thoroughly look at the tooth in need of extraction. They might recommend an x-ray, especially if the tooth appears broken.
You will be asked to provide information about your medicine intake and if you have any ailment requiring special care.
Diseases such as diabetes, heart defects, thyroid, renal disorders, immune diseases, and bacterial endocarditis must be declared in advance.
How is a Tooth Extracted?
The tooth extraction procedure depends on the visibility of the tooth. An impacted tooth might require surgical extraction, whereas a visible tooth will be pulled out through simple extraction.
What is a Simple Extraction?
A local anesthetic is given to numb the site. The dentist then loosens and pulls out the teeth using forceps.
What is a Surgical Extraction?
If the tooth is severely decayed and damaged, it has to be surgically removed. You might be given a combination of local and intravenous anesthesia.
Your dentist will make small incisions in your gum surrounding the impacted tooth and then extract all of its pieces. Sometimes, they might have to cut the bone around the tooth to remove all the pieces.
Are There Any Risks Involved in a Tooth Extraction?
The benefits usually outweigh any risks, but occasionally people may experience:
| • | Dry socket |
| • | Excessive bleeding |
| • | Fever |
| • | Nausea |
| • | Vomiting |
| • | Swelling |
| • | Cough |
Book Your Dental Appointment!
After your mouth has healed, you might want to look into options that replace the extracted tooth with a dental implant, giving you a look of a full and healthy jaw.
We’re just a phone call away at 650-262-1940!
