Reasons for a Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is a treatment where a tooth is removed from the socket. Extraction is normally performed by an oral surgeon, but dentists often carry out procedures like this as part of their core skills. There are two main types of tooth extraction, they include:

Simple Extractions

Simple extractions are normally done on teeth that are actually visible in the mouth. This is normally done under local anesthesia.

Surgical Extractions

This type of extraction is usually done when the tooth in question cannot be accessed. It may be that the tooth has not erupted fully or that the tooth is still under the gumline. With this procedure, the dentist may perform incisions to elevate the soft tissues that cover the teeth. The tooth may also be split into various pieces so that it can be removed easily.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

Every single person has two sets of teeth. You have your milk teeth and you have your permanent teeth. Of course, milk teeth are the first set that your body will produce. The second set of teeth will come in when these fall out. Permanent teeth are supposed to last for the rest of your life, but extraction may be needed if there is:

Irreparable Damage

This happens when the tooth decay reaches the middle of the tooth. This can cause an infection. A root canal may well treat the infection but if the infection is deemed to be severe then it may have to be extracted so that the damage can be stopped.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is essentially a gum infection. The later stages of the infection can affect the alveolar bone and the ligaments. If you brush your teeth regularly you can prevent this kind of infection. If the damage is extensive then tooth extraction may be required.

Impacted Teeth

A tooth becomes impacted when it is blocked and cannot come through the gum. It may be that it did not erupt fully or that there is a tooth stopping it. Our dentists may suggest an extraction to prevent pain and to stop the gum from damaging your neighboring teeth.

Overcrowding 

Our dentists examine your teeth to see how crowded they are. They will also see if there is enough room for them to grow in properly and check their general alignment. Extractions normally happen when you do not have enough room for all of your teeth to come in. An assistant will take X-rays so the dentist has a nice, clear picture of your mouth so to find out if there are any potential problems to be aware of.

Accidental Damage

If you have been in an accident, whether it’s a car collision or simply a fall, you may require dental treatment. If the damage is severe, you may need to undergo an extraction.

What to Expect when your Tooth is Extracted

Before your dentist pulls your tooth, they will give you a local anesthetic injection so the site is numbed.  In some instances, they may use a general anesthetic. If your tooth is impacted, your dentist will cut around the gum tissue that covers your tooth.

Using forceps, the dentist will rock the tooth back and forth. This helps to loosen it from the jawbone. Sometimes, the tooth may need to be removed in pieces. A blood clot forms within the pocket where the tooth once was. The blood clot is essential for the area to heal properly.

The dentist will put some gauze over the socket and ask you to bite down to stop the bleeding. Sometimes self-dissolving stitches close the gum.

If the blood clot that has formed in the socket breaks loose, this is a painful condition called “dry socket.” If this happens, our dentist will put a dressing over the socket until it is able to heal.

Aftercare for Tooth Extraction

Aftercare will vary depending on the type of tooth extraction. It will also vary depending on the location of your tooth. You can expect your mouth to heal fully in around a week.

Make sure that you take pain relief as advised by your dentist. You also need to leave the gauze pad in place for up to four hours after the procedure. You can apply an ice pack to the area right after, but don’t do it for more than 10 minutes at a time. Rest for 24 hours after the operation, and avoid rinsing, spitting, or using a straw for around a day after the operation. It’s also helpful for you to avoid lying flat when you sleep. Prop your head up with some pillows, and don’t smoke. Little things like this will really help to ensure that you heal properly.

Getting an Extraction Done by Godley Station Dentists

If you need a tooth extraction, we encourage you to visit Godley Station Dental in Pooler, GA. Our highly trained and specialized dentists will provide the best of care and aftercare.

To learn more about our procedures, please schedule an appointment today. You can call or send us an email. We look forward to helping you with all of your dental needs, including tooth extraction in Pooler, GA.