Extractions
A tooth extraction, put simply, is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Dental extractions are most often performed because a tooth has sustained damage or decay, or cannot be saved by root canal treatment, or to prepare for the placement of a dental implant. Advanced gum disease may be another contributing factor in a tooth extraction.
Other reasons for a tooth extraction include making space in the mouth for braces or other orthodontic treatment, or in the case of pediatric patients, to allow room for adult teeth to grow.
Regular Tooth Extraction: A tooth that has fully erupted through the gum line can usually be removed as easily as any other tooth via a regular extraction.
Surgical Tooth Extraction and Oral Surgery: A wisdom tooth or other tooth that is impacted or is still under the gum line or embedded in the jaw bone may require a surgical extraction, which is a form of oral surgery. A surgical extraction means your dentist will make an incision along your gum line to expose the tooth, and remove any bone that is still covering the tooth to allow it to be removed. Your dental insurance may cover all or a portion of surgical tooth extractions.
Your dentist may recommend extracting one tooth at a time, or focus on one area of your mouth at a time. Before the dentist removes the tooth, he or she will numb the surrounding tissue with a local anesthetic.
If you or a loved one have experienced dental anxiety in the past, your dentist may utilize Nitrous Oxide, known as laughing gas during the procedure, or may have prescribed an oral sedative to help you relax.
Once the area has been numbed, the dentist will remove the tooth, control any bleeding, and if necessary, may use sutures (stitches) to close the gums. Your dentist may prescribe or recommend over the counter medications to help control any post-procedure pain or swelling.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Wisdom teeth do not always have to cause you pain to cause future problems. The movement of surrounding teeth caused by wisdom teeth is often slow, and may not cause any pain. However, if you or a loved one have had braces or other orthodontic treatment, crowding from wisdom teeth can potentially un-do that work, resulting in crooked and misaligned teeth and jaws, as well as wisdom teeth pain.
Your dentist will review your x-rays and the positioning of your wisdom teeth at your regular check-up visits. He or she may recommend removing some or all of your wisdom teeth to help alleviate any pain, swelling or infection you may currently have, or to avoid future problems. Additionally, your dentist may recommend removing wisdom teeth earlier rather than later, because future extractions may become more painful or complicated, or even result in a dental emergency.
Your dentist will determine the position of your wisdom teeth and determine the type of extraction to be performed. In most cases, your 1st Family Dental dentist can remove your wisdom teeth right in the office. Occasionally, however, he or she may refer a patient with a special case to an oral surgeon for an evaluation.
Pediatric Dental Extractions for Children: The tooth extraction procedure and recovery for pediatric patients is very similar to that of adults. In some cases, Nitrous Oxide may be used to help a child to feel more relaxed during the procedure. In this case, your child should not eat for 2 hours prior to the procedure.
Dental Extractions for Orthodontics and Braces: Sometimes, orthodontic treatment is needed to facilitate other dental procedures such as crowns, veneers and implants. Also, certain orthodontic problems require collaboration with oral surgeons (for example: to expose impacted teeth or correct severe bite problems and facial deformities). Our dentists and orthodontic specialists use this team-based approach as a part of our comprehensive suite of treatment services.