It is common for adult patients to need a tooth extracted at some point in their life. So it is important to keep your natural teeth as long as possible. Sometimes, losing a tooth is unavoidable. Fortunately, dental extractions are not a treatment to be feared. Modern dentistry has made the whole process relatively simple with quick healing time.
You may come to need a tooth extracted due to extensive dental decay, bone loss, trauma to the mouth, or overcrowding. Some patients need to have a tooth extracted before they can have orthodontic treatment to align their teeth because there is not enough space for everything to shift properly. Additionally, wisdom teeth need to come out because most people do not have room enough in their mouth to allow for wisdom teeth to come in fully.
When a tooth has severe decay, there may be no other option but to extract the tooth to keep surrounding teeth healthy. Periodontal disease can lead to dental abscess and if a tooth does not respond to root canal therapy, the tooth may need to be extracted.
Why do I need a surgical extraction?
Sometimes, a tooth requires surgical extraction because a simple extraction would not get the job done. When a simple extraction is performed, the tooth is visible and can simply be loosened and lifted out. When a tooth is impacted below the gum line or has broken to the gum line, it will require a surgical extraction. Another case where a surgical extraction may be required is when a tooth has extensive decay and is too fragile to be pulled with a simple extraction.
If you have to have your wisdom teeth removed, you will likely need surgical extractions. Wisdom teeth develop in the jaw bone perpendicular to the rest of our teeth and often do not have enough space to rotate and erupt through the gum tissue.
A surgical extraction is very common though it is more invasive than a simple extraction. When a tooth is impacted, it simply means that it has not erupted through the gum tissue and is causing problems in the jaw. The procedure for a surgical extraction requires your dentist to make an incision in the gum tissue to access the tooth. The tooth can also be impacted within the jaw bone in which case they will also need to remove a small piece of the bone to reach the tooth. Once the tooth has been removed, your doctor will use stitches to close the site, allowing it to heal properly.
If you have to have a surgical extraction, your dentist will discuss anesthesia options as well as postoperative directions. It is normal to experience some pain along with minor bleeding and swelling. Your doctor will likely prescribe pain medication to help you manage your discomfort level directly after surgery but after a few days, pain should be manageable with over-the-counter medication. You will also be instructed to stick to a diet of soft foods for a few days or until your stitches dissolve or are removed. It is important to follow postoperative instructions to avoid any unnecessary pain or complications.
