What you need to know about tooth extractions

Reasons for tooth extractions

Removing a tooth is always a last resort, and typically only carried out when the tooth in question cannot be saved or is adversely affecting the healthy teeth around it. If you have been recommended to have an extraction, it is likely to because of one of the following reasons:
 

You have irreparable damage to your teeth

This damage could be a result of trauma to the mouth, such as falling and hitting your face or knocking your tooth out. However, many instances of irreparable damage are a result of advanced decay or severe gum disease. Both can damage the structures that hold the tooth in place, and both can cause infection that can also compromise the integrity of the jawbone. In these instances, extraction is usually the best option to prevent decay and infection spreading throughout your mouth.
 

You have an impacted wisdom tooth

The wisdom teeth are the last to erupt, usually appearing in our late teens or early 20s. However, by this point there may not be enough space in your jaw to accommodate them. If this is the case, your wisdom teeth may become stuck under the surface of the gums or partially erupt and then get stuck. This can cause a range of issues including pain and infection as well as damage to surrounding teeth. Wisdom teeth aren’t actually necessary, so if yours cause you problems, you may be recommended to have them removed.
 

You have too many teeth

Overcrowding is a common problem among patients with particularly small jaws. Teeth all grown in at different times and if you have a small jaw, this can mean that some become twisted or overlapped – something which can put them at greater risk of decay, gum disease and other oral health problems. As such, you may be recommended to have excess teeth removed.
 

What to expect during a tooth extraction?

Most dental extractions are carried out using local anesthetic which is injected into the gums before the extraction begins. If you are particularly anxious about the procedure, you may be eligible for sedation which will keep you relaxed and calm for the duration of the appointment.

Where possible, your tooth will be removed in a simple extraction. This is a non-surgical procedure where a special tool called an elevator is placed between the tooth and gums and used to rock the tooth back and forth to loosen it so that it can be removed with forceps. The process is usually very fast and straightforward. In complex cases a patient may require a surgical extraction. This involves an incision being made into the gum in order to access the affected tooth. If the tooth is impacted, it may also be necessary to remove a little of the bone too. The tooth is then broken into pieces (if required) and extracted.
 

Recovery from a tooth extraction

Following your tooth extraction, you will likely experience some bleeding which is to be expected. You will also be given advice on how to care for your mouth while it heals, and in the case of a surgical extraction, how to keep any sutures intact. Swelling and discomfort are also to be expected, and your dentist in New Hartford, NY at Reaves Dental may recommend that you take some pain relief medication and use cold compresses to help ease any pain and inflammation. You’ll probably want to stick to a soft food diet for at least the first few days but should quickly be able to resume eating fairly normally.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact us at Reaves Dental at (315) 736-0139 with any questions.