Your dentist’s goal is to make sure your mouth is healthy, but, sometimes, teeth just need to be pulled! These simple extractions may be required for the good of the health of the rest of your mouth due to a number of reasons.
Dentists typically do not use general anesthesia (putting patients to sleep), but will ensure complete numbness with local anesthesia. Extractions vary in difficulty and may take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. If you are in pain, most dentists will see you ASAP and can sometimes extract a problem tooth on the same day!
Why would a tooth need to be extracted?
Sometimes the removal of a tooth will be recommended for orthodontic reasons. Overcrowding of teeth can prevent proper occlusion (teeth meeting together correctly), and removal of the tooth makes it possible to align the remaining teeth properly.
Severe damage is another reason why a tooth may require extraction. A tooth can become severely damaged when a cavity finds its way down to the center of the tooth, known as the pulp, or when the tooth has suffered some form of trauma. If possible, an attempt can be made to save the tooth by way of root canal therapy, but, in some cases, the tooth cannot be saved. In these instances, removal of the tooth can become necessary to prevent infection from damaging the surrounding areas.
Periodontal disease can cause the gums, tissue, and bone surrounding a tooth to recede, making it hard to maintain the tooth. In severe cases, removing the tooth may be the only option.
Wisdom teeth are common tooth extractions as well, given that they tend to cause problems depending on how they grow in.
What is socket preservation?
When a tooth is extracted, it leaves an empty space (socket), which will cause the bone in the area to shrink as much as 40-60% within a year! This can reduce the support for neighboring teeth, dentures, and makes it harder to get dental implants. Socket preservation involves putting material into the socket to stimulate your own bone to grow in and prevent this shrinkage. It just takes a few minutes and can be done at your extraction appointment.
What is the difference between a simple and surgical extraction?
To help clear up confusion, here is a brief explanation of the two types of tooth extractions.
Simple extractions can be performed at our office using a local anesthetic. They are performed on teeth that are visible in the mouth; not concealed beneath the gums or bone.
Surgical extractions are usually more complicated, as they are necessary when the teeth have not fully erupted and require a surgical procedure to remove. This can include folding back gum tissue or removing some bone in order to access the tooth that requires extraction.
