When a patient arrives at the office with an aching tooth, their first thought may be, “TAKE THIS THING OUT!” In some cases, extraction could be the only option; nevertheless, this is something we and our dentist can decide together. Although the dentist’s recommendation for extraction is correct, it is a good idea to stay informed about this type of dental solution. Before recommending extraction, a dentist will usually look into ways to save the tooth.
What Are the Different Tooth Extraction Methods?
Simple extraction and surgical extraction are the two main types of dental extraction. Simple dental extraction is used to remove visible and easily accessible teeth, whereas surgical dental extraction typically requires an incision into the connective tissue to gain access to the tooth to be extracted. Both types of dental extraction are briefly discussed here.
Simple Dental Extraction
Simple dental extraction entails the removal of visible teeth from the mouth. General dentists frequently perform this procedure in their dental practises, using a local anaesthetic to numb the area and reduce the patient’s pain. The tooth can then be moved back and forth until the periodontal ligament breaks, allowing the tooth to be removed from the alveolar bone.
Surgical Dental Extraction
Surgical dental extraction is the removal of teeth that are difficult to reach inside the mouth. This could be because they have not fully erupted through the gums or have been fractured beneath the gum line. Given the more complex nature of surgical dental extractions and the associated pain, they are typically performed under general anaesthesia by an oral surgeon in a rosenberg dental clinic setting.
The Pros of Tooth Extraction
Pain Relive
A broken tooth removed from the oral cavity not only relieves pain, It also prevents the development of other complications, such as infections or dental deviations. Furthermore, other teeth are protected from damage. When the surgery is completed, the pain is relieved and the patient’s mouth mobility is restored. In some cases, dentists may recommend removing a tooth even if there is no problem with it.
Keeping the rest of our teeth
One major risk that dentists try to avoid is allowing a cavity or infection to spread to neighbouring teeth. Unfortunately, some patients only notice this when it is too late. The disease has already infected the remaining teeth. This will necessitate more dental treatments and more complex procedures. If the treatment is not administered at the appropriate time, the patient may lose more than one or two teeth.
Getting the perfect smile
Overcrowding causes crooked teeth in some patients, as it does in orthodontics. It indicates that there are more teeth than the patient’s mouth can accommodate, or that the teeth are all too large to fit in the mouth. Naturally, the solution is to extract a tooth, such as a molar extraction, so that the remaining teeth can adjust to their proper positions. This eventually leads to a more attractive smile.
The Cons of Tooth Extraction
Infections
Pits may form where the tooth was extracted in some patients. This increases the likelihood of infection. In this case, the affected area is usually inflamed and painful. These symptoms can last for several days, during which time bacteria or food remnants can become lodged, causing further complications.
Adding new complications
Although the extraction is intended to prevent other oral problems, complications such as root displacement towards the paranasal sinuses can occur. This happens when one of the upper teeth near these openings is extracted. This can lead to infection in the surrounding area.
What should I do after a tooth extraction?
The aftercare for a tooth extraction can vary slightly depending on a few factors. These include which tooth the dentist extracted, as some teeth have deeper roots than others and heal more slowly. However, most people find that the pain subsides after about three days.
Expect to rest for at least the first 24 hours following the extraction. Maintaining the blood clot that forms in the socket where the tooth used to be is one of the most important aspects of aftercare. Caring for this blood clot is critical to the healing process and helps to avoid painful complications like dry socket.
Avoid rinsing, swishing, or gargling anything in the mouth while the area is still clotting, as tempting as it may be. These actions may cause a clot to form and shorten the healing time. If the surgeon extracted a tooth from the upper half of the mouth, blowing one’s nose or sneezing can cause pressure in the head, which may dislodge the developing blood clot. If possible, avoid blowing your nose and sneezing. Use extra pillows to elevate the head while sleeping. Lying too flat may cause blood to pool in the head, extending the healing time.