Dental extractions are one of the most common interventions in dentistry. They are often performed when a tooth is damaged or infected, or when there are problems with dental alignment.
What are dental extractions?
Dental extractions are performed when a tooth with irreversible damage is removed. This may be necessary for a variety of reasons, including:
- Damaged or broken teeth that cannot be repaired
- Infected or decayed teeth that cannot be treated with a root canal or endodontic treatment
- Impacted teeth that cannot emerge from the gums
- Teeth that are causing problems with dental alignment
- Teeth that need to be removed to allow the placement of a dental device, such as an implant or denture.
When are dental extractions needed?
In other cases, when teeth are causing problems with dental alignment and need to be removed to allow other teeth to move correctly, it is necessary to carry out the proper extraction process.
Here are some common situations where dental extractions may be needed:
Damaged or broken teeth
If a tooth is damaged or broken, your dentist may try to repair it with a crown or another type of treatment. However, if the damage is too extensive, a dental extraction is performed and the appropriate restoration treatment is planned.
Dental infections
Dental infections can be very painful and are often treated with a root canal or endodontic treatment. However, if the infection is too severe, the tooth is extracted to avoid complications.
Problems with dental alignment
If teeth are causing problems with dental alignment, a dental extraction may be needed to allow other teeth to move correctly. This may be necessary before starting orthodontic treatment.
Impacted teeth
When impacted molars cannot emerge from the gums due to lack of space in the mouth. In some cases, dental extraction of third molars (wisdom teeth) is resorted to in order to allow the impacted tooth to emerge.
Dental devices
If you need a dental device, such as an implant or denture, the damaged tooth is extracted to start the placement and adaptation process after choosing the appropriate dental device to replace the space of the tooth.
What to expect during a dental extraction?
Before a dental extraction:
- Your dentist will give you local anesthesia to numb the area. If you are having multiple dental extractions or if you are nervous, you may be offered sedation to help you relax.
- A tool called a dental elevator is used to loosen the tooth from your gum and then the tooth is extracted with special pliers.
- If the tooth is impacted or difficult to reach, a small incision in the gums may be needed to access the tooth.
After the dental extraction, your dentist will place a gauze in the area to help stop the bleeding. You will also receive instructions on possible painkillers to take, as well as the food diet and oral cleaning process to follow.
What to expect after a dental extraction?
After a dental extraction, it’s normal to experience pain and swelling in the area.
- Painkillers are recommended to control the pain
- Applying ice to the area can help reduce swelling.
- You may need to avoid eating solid foods for several hours after the dental extraction.
- You may also need to avoid drinking with a straw for several days, as this can cause the blood clots in the extraction area to dissolve.
It’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions after a dental extraction to ensure everything goes smoothly. It’s also important to attend follow-up appointments to start the correct planning of restorative treatments.