Tooth Extractions

Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth in its entirety. Extractions are necessary for certain oral conditions such as cavities, gum diseases, malocclusion, external trauma to the teeth, etc. It is a common misconception that extractions would be too painful. But, we make sure the process is free from pain using the right means of sedation.

Need for extraction

Tooth extractions would usually be required in the following situations:

Cavities: When a tooth gets infected due to cavities, it can negatively influence the patient's oral health. If left untreated, the decay can advance to the tooth's deeper layers and cause a root canal infection. We try to restore the tooth to its original contour. But, when the tooth is beyond restoration, it will have to be removed completely.

Impacted teeth:Teeth sometimes get impacted or stuck in between the gums and jawbone. This condition can be highly painful and potentially lead to an infection near the impacted site. It is wise to have impacted teeth removed to save oneself from a lot of pain.

Orthodontics:Malocclusion can completely ruin the aesthetics of one's smile. Patients with malocclusion often feel too conscious of their smile, which can hinder their confidence. Orthodontic solutions such as braces and Invisalign can help to get rid of the malocclusion. But, the teeth need space to move to their orthodontically right positions. Extractions would be required in such cases to provide space for the adjoining teeth to shift.

External trauma: Individuals who sustain a hard blow to the mouth could end up breaking or cracking their teeth. This can expose the dental pulp to the microbes in the mouth, potentially leading to root canal infection. Although we try to restore such a tooth using crowns, veneers, or composite bonding, they will have to be extracted if the restoration isn't possible.

How are extractions performed?

During your visit to our dental office, we would conduct a thorough screening of the mouth to understand the severity of the condition. During the screening, we determine the candidacy for the extraction. Based on this, the dentist will draw out a customized treatment plan.

Before commencing the extraction, we will clean the tooth thoroughly to eliminate the microbes around it. Local anesthesia is administered to the gums near the tooth that has to be extracted. This helps to numb the tooth, gums, and jawbone. Next, the dentist grips the tooth using forceps and shakes it to loosen it from the socket. The tooth is pulled out of the socket in one go, and you wouldn't even feel a slight sensation of pain. Most patients who get the extraction done often say that they feel a hint of pressure when the tooth is extracted, but no pain whatsoever. Post this; you will be asked to bite into a piece of gauze to form a clot. Appropriate medication will be prescribed to facilitate healing of the wound.

Please get in touch with us through online consultation or by calling us at (775) 882-0635, and we'll assist you further.