Tooth extraction is a dental process of removing a tooth from its socket. An oral surgeon mainly does this process, but it can also be performed by periodontists and general surgeons as part of their dental providers’ skills.
Our dentists in Terrell Hill, TX, have top-notch experience and are highly skilled in performing dental extraction.
Reasons for a Tooth Extraction
Permanent teeth are meant to last for a lifetime, but tooth extractions are necessary for the following reasons.
Crowded teeth
Your dentist may need to pull your teeth for cosmetic reasons such as misaligned teeth. If you want to realign your teeth and there is no space, the dentist will need to pull out one or more teeth to create space for alignment. A tooth can also be pulled out if it erupted.
Infection
If damage or tooth decay can extend to the pulp, bacteria may enter the pulp leading to an infection. In this case, a root canal therapy may treat the infection; if it’s a severe condition, tooth extraction may be needed to stop the infection from spreading to the surrounding teeth.
A compromised tooth is also extracted if your immune system is not stable, that is, during chemotherapy or organ transplant.
A periodontal disease that has loosened your teeth can also call for an extraction.
Impacted teeth
Wisdom teeth can be impacted, blocked from coming out, or the gums might not fully erupt, preventing them from coming out. The affected tooth is therefore extracted to avoid overcrowding and lower the risk of infection.
Tooth Extraction Procedure
There are two types of extractions procedures depending on whether your tooth is visible or not. They include
Simple extraction
During this procedure, your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the area where the extraction takes place so that you will only feel pressure but not pain. The doctor then uses a medical instrument called an elevator to loosen the tooth and a pair of forceps to remove it.
Surgical extraction
During the surgical extraction procedure, the dentists use both local and intravenous anesthesia. Intravenous anesthesia makes you calm and relaxed. If you have some medical conditions, your dentist might use general anesthesia to remain unconscious throughout the procedure.
Your dentist will use an incision to cut into your gum. They may need to cut your jawbone for the tooth to be extracted or cut your tooth before removing it. This procedure is mainly done during wisdom tooth removal if your wisdom tooth is impacted.
Risks of Tooth Extraction
There some risks that may occur after undergoing a tooth extraction, they include:
- A blood clot that naturally forms around the socket
- Bleeding that lasts more than 12 hours
- Fever and chills
- Nausea or vomiting
- Swelling of the surgical site
- Shortness of breath or chest pains
If you observe the following symptoms after the procedure, it is advisable to visit your dentist.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From A Tooth Extraction?
Usually, it only takes a few days to heal from a tooth extraction. The following habits will help you enjoy a quick and smooth recovery.
- Apply a cold compress or ice pack on your cheek to reduce the swelling
- Bite down the gauze guard place over the affected area for clot formation or to reduce the bleeding. Remove the gauze guard after three or four hours or when it is soaked with blood
- Take the prescribed medications as instructed; this includes over-the-counter drugs.
- Do not smoke
- Avoid using a straw for the first 24 hours.
- Rest and relax for 24 hours after the extraction, do not immediately go back to your routine.
- When brushing or flossing, avoid the extraction site.
- Eat soft foods like yogurt and pudding a day after the procedure.
- Use pillows when lying down to prop your head up.
- You can rinse your mouth a day after the procedure, but using a half teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of water
- As you heal after some days, you can introduce back your other foods back to your diet.