Oral Surgury Services: Tooth Extractions

If you have received news that one of your teeth must be extracted, it is natural to experience some degree of unease, but do not fret. The archaic expression, akin to extracting teeth, is no longer a precise depiction of the method dentists employ for this commonplace procedure. Before delving into the details of tooth extraction, let us discuss the reasons for needing one. While dentists strive to preserve your natural teeth, it may not always be feasible.

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If tooth decay has gone untreated for a prolonged period, it could have compromised or obliterated most of the framework that holds the tooth in place. In such a scenario, saving the tooth might be futile. A tooth may be detached from the tissue surrounding and supporting it in the mouth due to severe gum disease. Under such circumstances, removing the tooth is often the best course of action. A deep fissure or fracture in a tooth that penetrates below the gum line usually causes a severe infection if the tooth remains unremoved.

If a tooth emerges in an inappropriate position in the jaw, or if the jaw is too cramped to accommodate all the teeth present, it may be necessary to extract a tooth to prevent damage to the adjacent teeth. A routine tooth extraction is a minor procedure that can be performed by your general dentist. However, if it is a more complex procedure, it may be conducted by an oral surgeon. The number of roots that the tooth has and its location determines who performs the procedure.

One might think that extracting a tooth is a challenging task because it is tightly fused to the jawbone, but that is not entirely accurate. In reality, a tooth is held in place within its bony socket by a group of elastic fibers. A dentist uses specialized tools to gingerly manipulate the tooth, causing the fibers to relax and disconnect. After the tooth is removed, the extraction site may be packed with processed bone grafting material to minimize the atrophy of surrounding bone tissue. This allows you the option of replacing the tooth with a dental implant, if you desire.

To prevent bleeding and hasten the healing process, the extraction site is then sutured. Since you will be given a local anesthetic and a sedative to help you relax, you will not feel any discomfort. After the procedure, you will be advised to take over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers as required for any temporary swelling or tenderness. External ice-packs may help to alleviate soreness and reduce swelling. Within a day, you should be able to resume most of your regular activities. Although tooth extraction is not something most people look forward to, if it is your best treatment option, bear in mind that modern dentistry has made it much less daunting.

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