When there’s too much damage for the tooth to be repaired, the tooth may need to be extracted — or removed — from its socket in the bone. Tooth extraction is performed by a trusted Forest & Ray dentist or dental surgeon and is a quick outpatient procedure with either local or general anaesthesia.
There are 2 types of extraction procedures:
1: Simple Extractions– Simple extractions are usually performed on teeth that are visible in the mouth and it is usually done under local anaesthesia.
2: Surgical Extractions– Surgical extraction procedures are performed when the tooth cannot be easily accessed. This happens when the tooth has not fully erupted or when the tooth has been broken under the gum line. Surgical extractions are usually performed under general anaesthesia.
1. Irreparable tooth damage due to severe decay -This happens when tooth decay reaches the centre of the tooth which is the pulp. The bacteria produced by the decay can invade the pulp and cause an infection. A root canal procedure can save the tooth. If it is too bad, then extraction is the only solution.
2. To forestall periodontal disease– Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums, periodontal ligaments, alveolar bone and other structures surrounding the teeth. The earliest stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis which is an infection of the gums. If the tooth is loose because of this, extraction may be warranted.
3. Extraction to eliminate overcrowding and/or to help an impacted tooth– At Forest & Ray, our orthodontist will check on how crowded your teeth are, and if there is enough room for them to move and give your set of teeth a better alignment. Teeth extractions are recommended when there is not enough space to straighten the alignment of your teeth.
A tooth is impacted when it is blocked from coming out, or when the gums did not fully erupt preventing the tooth to come out. This is usually the case for wisdom teeth. We may recommend the extraction of the impacted tooth to prevent it from damaging other teeth.
4. Chipped or broken in an accident– We will try to repair or save the teeth but in some cases, extraction is the only recommended option.
We will give you detailed instructions on what to do and what to expect after your surgery. If you have any questions, make sure to ask them before you leave our office. Having a tooth taken out is surgery. You can expect some discomfort after even simple extractions. Usually it is mild. Research has shown that taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can greatly decrease pain after a tooth extraction. These drugs include ibuprofen, such as Advil, Motrin and others.
At Forest & Ray, our experienced professionals will be with you every step of the way, including the aftercare period. If necessary we can prescribe stronger anti-pain medicines to make sure you are as comfortable as possible and heal quickly.
