Extractions

An extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. Extractions are necessary when the tooth cannot be saved. This might be because a tooth has been broken or damaged beyond the point of repair. Extractions might also be necessary when teeth are impacted or crowded. Impacted teeth are trapped beneath the gum line by other teeth, and having them extracted is of utmost importance.

When a tooth has become damaged beyond the point of repair, an extraction is performed to remove that tooth from the mouth. This may be the only option to prevent infection or pain from spreading to other teeth.

Procedure

The dentist will numb the area where the tooth will be removed. This is to keep the patient as comfortable as possible during the procedure. Then the dentist will grip the tooth and gently rock it back and forth until it can be lifted out of the socket. In some cases, the tooth may need to be broken into smaller fragments to be removed. Once removed, gauze is placed into the socket, and the patient is sent home to recover.

After the procedure is finished, the mouth will need time to heal. Patients may need to schedule a few follow-up appointments to monitor the healing process. Most patients are back to normal activities within a day or two of their procedure.

Need for tooth extractions

Tooth extractions are most commonly performed on wisdom teeth. However, they can be performed on any adult tooth that has become badly damaged by injury or decay. Wisdom teeth are the last four teeth in the mouth and typically grow between the ages of seventeen and twenty-one. In most cases, there is not enough room in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to grow properly, and they will need to be removed to prevent damage to surrounding teeth and infections.

Teeth can be extracted for a number of reasons, including overcrowding, damage due to an injury, severe decay, cysts, and tumors. It is important to remove these teeth for the health of the patient and to prevent any additional health issues. If a patient is planning on getting braces in the future, it is recommended to remove the wisdom teeth before the braces are put on.

Also, a tooth with a large cavity or significant structural damage that affects the pulp may be beyond saving with a root canal treatment. In this case, it’s better to remove the damaged tooth and replace it with a dental implant or a dental bridge that attaches to the surrounding teeth for support.

Are extractions painful?

If a patient is experiencing pain after wisdom tooth removal, it’s usually because they received a local anesthetic and are still feeling numb. Typically, the feeling wears off in a few hours. If the sensation doesn’t go away or comes back after a few hours, call your dentist immediately. In some cases, the anesthetic may not work as well if the patient has an infection or other issue near the surgical site.

To find out more about the dental services offered at our dental practice, call (469)-298-3892 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 1901 Northwest Highway, Suite 103, Garland, TX 75041.