Extractions
Maintaining good oral health is essential to overall well-being, as problems with your mouth can affect your ability to eat, swallow, or speak. In some cases, however, a tooth may need to be extracted due to injury, decay, or infection.
Tooth extraction becomes necessary when a tooth is too damaged to be saved by conventional treatments like fillings or root canals. This damage can result from severe decay, trauma, gum disease, or infection.
Additionally, overcrowding or impacted wisdom teeth may require extraction to prevent future complications and ensure optimal oral health.
What Is A Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction is a procedure in which a dentist removes a tooth, also known as tooth pulling. It becomes necessary when a tooth is beyond repair and cannot be preserved without compromising your current or future oral health. This is often the case with severely decayed teeth.
When decay reaches deep into the tooth’s roots and even a root canal can’t save it, extraction becomes the only option. Additionally, a tooth may need to be extracted if it has been severely damaged due to an accident or trauma.
What is the process involved in a Tooth Extraction?
Dental procedures can often cause anxiety for patients, but understanding what to expect during a tooth extraction can help ease their concerns. The procedure for a simple tooth extraction depends on the patient’s specific needs and the condition of the tooth being removed. Before beginning, the area is numbed with a local anesthetic to ensure the patient feels no pain or discomfort.
The dentist will then use forceps to securely grasp the tooth, gently rocking it back and forth to loosen it from the root canal. If the tooth is difficult to remove, it may be broken into smaller pieces for easier extraction. The dentist will carefully remove these pieces to ensure a smooth and complete procedure.
How long does a Tooth Extraction take?
Tooth extractions are usually completed in one office visit. After a week or two after the procedure, you might need to come back in for a quick follow up appointment to confirm everything is healing correctly. If required, you can discuss the various restoration options that will meet your needs.
The gap in the gumline should not be left empty, as doing so can allow the rest of your teeth to shift. Failure to quickly decide a replacement option can also negatively impact tissue and bone growth in the area, making it more difficult in the future to place something like an implant or dentures.
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