Tooth Extraction
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is the name given to the surgical removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone, which is a relatively quick outpatient procedure performed by a dentist or oral surgeon under local, general, intravenous anesthesia or a combination.
Simple tooth extraction is the name given to the technique used to extract visible teeth in the mouth while the patient is under the effect of local anesthesia.
Why Are Teeth Extracted ?
In some cases, teeth may need to be extracted in adults. Although it is ideal for adult teeth that replace milk teeth in childhood to be used throughout life, tooth extraction may be necessary for more than one reason.
The most common of these reasons is that the teeth are damaged beyond repair due to trauma or decay. In addition, dentists may consider tooth extraction appropriate for preliminary preparation in the mouth, especially in cases requiring orthodontic treatment where there are many teeth that do not fit completely into the jaw. Again, in similar cases, tooth extraction intervention can be performed for teeth that have not emerged above the gums or for wisdom teeth that are impacted.
If tooth decay or damage has spread to the pulp, which is the core of nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth, bacteria in the mouth can enter and cause infection. This can usually be corrected with root canal treatment, but if the infection is very severe and antibiotics or root canal treatment are not enough, a tooth may need to be extracted to prevent the spread of infection.
Periodontal (Gum) Disease: If the teeth have become loose due to periodontal disease, which is an infection of the tissues and bones surrounding and supporting the teeth, or gum disease, one or more teeth may need to be extracted.
How is Tooth Extraction Performed?
Dentists and oral surgeons, who are dentists who have received special training in performing surgery, can perform tooth extractions. Before the tooth is extracted, the dentist will give the patient a local anesthetic injection to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. In some cases, especially for the extraction of impacted wisdom teeth, the dentist may use a stronger general anesthetic. This general anesthetic will prevent pain and keep the person asleep throughout the procedure.
The dentist will cut the gum and bone tissue covering the tooth. He or she will then use forceps to grasp the tooth and gently move it back and forth to loosen it from the jawbone and ligaments that normally hold the tooth in place. In some cases, a difficult tooth may be removed in multiple pieces.
Bleeding after a tooth extraction is natural and necessary. A blood clot usually forms in the socket left behind by the tooth. The dentist will place a piece of gauze in the socket and tell the patient to bite down to help stop the bleeding. In some cases, the dentist will place a few stitches that will dissolve on their own so that the edges of the gum at the extraction site close properly.
Sometimes, the blood clot in the socket will loosen and fall off, exposing the bone in the socket. This is painful and risky. This condition is called a septic (infected) socket, also called a dry socket. Since the blood clot needs to form for healing to begin, the dentist may place a pain-relieving paste containing an antiseptic or antibiotic in the socket for a few days to help with this .