When Is a Tooth Extraction Necessary?

Most dentists try to avoid extracting teeth. However, there are times when removing a tooth is the only option. An extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the jaw. Extractions are necessary when a tooth becomes too damaged to repair when a baby tooth hasn’t fallen out in time to make room for the permanent tooth or for orthodontic treatment.

What Leads to Tooth Extractions?

There are many reasons why a tooth may need an extraction, including crowding or impaction. However, the most common reason for tooth extraction is severe tooth decay. In cases of advanced decay, it is necessary to remove the tooth to reduce the risk of infection and to maintain the health of the mouth as a whole. Removing the tooth also eliminates the risk of infection spreading to other teeth.

Decay can occur as a result of poor oral hygiene habits, such as not brushing your teeth or flossing every day. It can also be caused by consuming too many sugary foods and drinks or failing to have regular dental cleanings and checkups. If left untreated, the decay can progress deeper into the tooth and eventually into the pulp. This can cause intense pain and make eating more uncomfortable for patients. At this point, it is best to remove the tooth as well as treat the infection and restore the health of your mouth.

How Is An Extraction Performed?

Before your dentist can extract your tooth, it is important that the gum tissue is numbed with a local anesthetic to dull any pain you might feel during the procedure. Then your dental professional will make an incision in the gum line to access the tooth root. Once the tooth has been loosened from the bone and ligaments holding it in place, it can be removed with forceps. Your dentist may also need to remove any extra fragments of tissue still remaining after the tooth is removed. These tissues are often easily removed with the help of a pair of forceps called a curette. Once the entire tooth has been removed, stitches may be placed to promote healing and prevent infection. Finally, gauze will be placed over the surgical site to control bleeding and encourage clotting.

What’s The Recovery Process Like For an Extraction?

Recovery from a tooth removal procedure will usually be easier than you think. The dentist will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area where the extraction will take place, so you won’t feel any discomfort during the procedure. You’ll also be given a temporary restoration to fill the missing tooth. You should expect some bleeding and some swelling in the days and weeks following the surgery. However, these symptoms can be controlled with ice packs and over-the-counter pain medications. You might also be asked to avoid eating hard foods or drinking from a straw until the surgical site has healed completely. Talk to the dentist for more information.

You can visit our office at 3550 S 5600 W #3, Salt Lake City, UT 84120, and get to know our team here. For bookings, call us at (801) 966-3166.