Tooth Extraction

What is Tooth Extraction?

A tooth extraction involves completely removing a tooth from its socket, widely known as “pulling” a tooth.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

Dentists will always try to preserve natural teeth when possible. However, in cases where dental fillings or crowns are no longer effective, it may be necessary to remove the damaged or diseased teeth.

A dentist may recommend an extraction if you have the following conditions:

Severe tooth decay

A fractured tooth

An impacted tooth

Crowded teeth

Severe gum disease

Dental injuries

Types of Tooth Extraction

Simple extraction

This involves the extraction of teeth that are visibly present in the oral cavity and have intact crowns. A local anesthetic is given to prevent pain and minimize discomfort.

Surgical extraction

This involves the extraction of teeth that are hard to access inside the mouth. This could be due to an incomplete eruption through the gum or fractures below the gum line.

Wisdom teeth extraction

This involves the extraction of the wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth, also referred to as the third molars, are an extra set of adult teeth that will usually show up behind the rear upper and lower molars. They usually come in during early adulthood, between the ages of 18 and 24, and could result in other issues such as tooth crowding and impaction.

The Tooth Extraction Procedure

At first, the tooth and the surrounding gum will be numbed by your dentist using local anesthesia. The tooth will then be extracted using dental instruments such as forceps or elevators. If a tooth is infected extensively at the gum line or decayed, it may require the removal of some part of the gum through cutting. After extraction, the socket will be cleaned and disinfected. Your dentist may also opt to insert a dental bone graft to prevent bone loss in the jaw. Lastly, stitches may be placed to aid in the healing process.

Post-Extraction Care

Once the procedure is finished, your dentist will place a gauze pad on the extraction site and request that you apply firm and consistent pressure by closing your mouth. This action serves to minimize bleeding and promotes the formation of a blood clot. Once the bleeding has sufficiently decreased, you can remove the gauze. It is normal to experience slight bleeding for the initial 24-hour period.

Home Care Instructions

After your dental extraction, your dentist will give you a complete set of instructions about what you should and should not do.

Here are some general suggestions to help you recover quickly:

Bleeding

Bleeding is a regular occurrence after a tooth has been pulled. However, people who have clotting issues or are on blood thinners may experience prolonged bleeding. Unless complications arise, the bleeding typically subsides within one to two hours.

Dry Socket

The removal of the blood clot that forms after a tooth extraction gives rise to a dry socket. Although there are situations in which the clot will not form naturally, it is mostly the patient who unknowingly triggers a dry socket by dislodging the clot. Suction activities, e.g., smoking or using a straw, can result in the removal of the blood clot. Additionally, excessive brushing or rinsing can be a factor in the occurrence of dry sockets.

Infection

Oral cavities can harbor bacteria, so infection may develop after tooth extraction. If you feel pain or see pus, let your dentist know as soon as possible so that he can check if there is an infection.

Fracture

While it is common for a tooth to break during its extraction, this fact does not matter since you are getting rid of the tooth anyway. Though if unintentionally a part of the tooth is left inside, it can be the cause of an infection or cyst.

Benefits of Tooth Extraction