One of the most important functions that a dentist carries out is tooth extraction. Tooth extraction involves removing a damaged or infected tooth from the mouth for different reasons. Some of the most common reasons for a tooth extraction include a decaying tooth, infection in the bone or gums that surround the tooth, preparing for braces, or removing extra teeth in the mouth to avoid overcrowding.
It's important to understand how tooth extractions are done so you can know what to expect beforehand.
The preparation stage
A tooth extraction will begin with the dentist analysing the affected area so he/she can know what the best strategy for removing the tooth is. This will begin with an x-ray of the tooth and surrounding tissues, including the jawbone.
The dentist will also try to establish how your tooth attaches to nearby nerves, sinuses, and wisdom teeth. If there are any infections or bone diseases that are detected, these may need to be treated first.
For a tooth to be successfully extracted, the gums that hold it in place and the surrounding bone tissue need to also be examined. This is important because the tooth extraction should not result in further deterioration of the surrounding tissues as a result of the procedure.
In addition, the network of nerves around the teeth and gums is heavily connected. If the extraction disrupts this network, side effects such as pain, fractures and soreness can occur.
Before the procedure is carried out, the dentist will need to know if you have any pre-existing conditions that can affect the safety of the tooth extraction. For example, the wound in the mouth that forms after the tooth is removed can become an inlet for bacteria to enter the body and cause infection.
Patients who are typically at risk of heart diseases, have weakened immune systems or have liver cirrhosis may need antibiotics to be prescribed before treatment. This precaution ensures that no infections occur after the tooth is removed.
During the procedure
On the actual day of the tooth extraction, the dentist may use a local or general anaesthesia to numb the specific area and prevent pain and discomfort. The gums and bone tissue around the site will be cut off to allow the dentist more access to the infected tooth.
Forceps can be used to loosen the tooth and ligaments from the jawbone before it's extracted. A tool called an elevator is then used to gently pry the tooth and remove it from its socket. In cases where a tooth had broken off within the jawbone, a surgical extraction may be necessary to make an incision into the gum and extract the tooth from deep within.
Share24 January 2018
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