Why are extractions sometimes necessary?
Permanent teeth are built to last a lifetime, but for many reasons, some teeth might not. For instance, you might need to have a tooth extracted because it's too diseased to keep. Decay, trauma, and lifestyle can all lead to needing a tooth pulled.
Other reasons for extractions include:
- Risk of infection from a failed root canal
- Risk of infection during an organ transplant or chemotherapy
- Advanced gum (periodontal) disease
- Extra or crowded teeth
- No room for wisdom teeth (third molars)
How are extractions performed?
There are two types of extractions: a simple extraction and a surgical extraction. When you can see the tooth inside your mouth, it’s called a simple extraction. During this procedure, a highly accomplished dentist at Morning Dental will first loosen the tooth with an instrument called an elevator. They will then use forceps to remove the tooth.
A surgical extraction is more involved. The tooth may not have come through the surface of your gums, as is common with wisdom teeth, or it may have broken off at your gum line. In these cases, the dentist makes a small incision in your gum to remove the tooth. The affected tooth may need to be sectioned (cut into parts) so it can be more easily removed. Some bone may also need to be removed from around the tooth.
Your dentist gives you an injection (a local anesthetic) to numb your mouth before a simple extraction or surgical extraction, so you shouldn't feel any pain. If you're having a couple of teeth removed at one appointment, as is typical with wisdom teeth extraction, your dentist may administer a general anesthetic. You will sleep through the whole procedure with a general anesthetic.
How soon can I expect to heal from a tooth extraction?
Depending on how many teeth you had extracted and your specific circumstances, healing usually takes one or two weeks. In the spaces where your teeth used to be, new gum tissue and bone grow. You may encounter difficulty chewing or general aches and pains on your way to recovery, depending on the extent of your dental surgery.
Since each situation is different, it’s best to contact Morning Dental and book a consultation to find out about your options in addition to any important post-procedure treatments such as dental implants or crowns.
Make an appointment online or call Morning Dental today.
