Tooth extractions remove a tooth from the socket in the jawbone. You may need an extraction for many reasons, such as infection, trauma, or decay. The most common reason wisdom teeth are extracted is because they are impacted. An impacted wisdom tooth is stuck in the jaw bone or gums, and the dentist cannot remove it. At First Smile Family Dental, this procedure is considered routine and is typically performed under local anesthesia.
Types of Teeth Extractions
Simple Extraction
A simple extraction removes a tooth visible in the mouth and can be easily accessed by the dentist. It is typically performed using local anesthesia, where the dentist loosens the tooth with an elevator tool and then uses forceps to extract it from the socket gently.
Surgical Extraction
A surgical extraction is a more complex procedure when a tooth cannot be easily accessed, is impacted, partially erupted, or is broken beneath the gum line. It may require an incision in the gum tissue, removal of bone, and sometimes sectioning the tooth into smaller pieces for easier removal.
Reason for Teeth Extractions
Severe Tooth Decay
When a tooth is extensively decayed and cannot be restored through other dental treatments like fillings or root canal therapy, extraction may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection to surrounding teeth and gums.
Advanced Gum Disease
Periodontal disease can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, leading to tooth loosening. Extraction may be recommended if a tooth becomes too loose and cannot be saved.
Overcrowding
In severe crowding, where there is not enough space in the jaw to accommodate all the teeth, extraction may be performed to create room for orthodontic treatment or improve overall dental alignment.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, often become impacted due to a lack of space in the jaw. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, infection, and damage to adjacent teeth, necessitating extraction.
The Procedure for Teeth Extractions
The dentist or oral surgeon will perform a thorough examination of your teeth and may take X-rays to assess the tooth's position, shape, and surrounding structures. Local anesthesia is usually administered to numb the area around the tooth, ensuring you do not feel pain during the extraction. Generally, general anesthesia or sedation may be used for complex or multiple extractions. Using specialized dental instruments, the dentist or oral surgeon gently loosens the tooth from its socket. They may need to perform a simple extraction if the tooth is visible above the gumline or a surgical extraction if it is impacted or broken beneath it. Surgical extractions may involve making an incision in the gum to access the tooth or removing the tooth in sections.
A tooth extraction is a standard procedure; most patients recover quickly. To find out if you are a candidate for extractions and to learn more about this procedure, visit First Smile Family Dental at 32717 1st Ave S., Suite 9, Federal Way, WA 98003, or call (253) 785-7323.