Surgical Tooth Extractions: Why They Are Needed And What They Are

Dentist Articles

If you have decay on a tooth that remains for a long time, it could eat away at most of your tooth. When this happens, the only option you will have to fix the problem is to have the tooth extracted. Simple tooth extractions are a common part of dentistry; however, there are times when a dentist must use a surgical method to remove a tooth, and one of these times is when most of a tooth is missing because of decay. Here are several things you should understand about the difference between simple tooth extractions and surgical extractions.

The Procedure

With a simple tooth extraction, a dentist is able to remove the tooth simply by grasping it and pulling it. This is normally done with forceps, which is a common dental tooth. Typically, a dentist will first take x-rays of the tooth to determine how big the roots are. If the roots are really big, the dentist may try to loosen the tooth first by using a tool around the edges of the tooth. After that, the dentist will then use the forceps to pull it out.

When a tooth needs to be surgically removed, it is generally because the tooth is not fully exposed. A tooth that is not fully exposed leaves nothing for the dentist to grab, and this is why a surgical method is used. During this method, the dentist would make incisions around the tooth to have access to it.

Both types of tooth extractions will require the use of anesthesia, but you may need more with a surgical extraction. A lot of dentists offer a variety of different sedation options as well, and these are often used when people have fears of dental work.

Care Needed Afterwards

One difference with these methods is the way the dentist will finish the work. With a simple extraction, nothing is needed. The dentist will simply place a piece of gauze in your mouth, and this will help stop the bleeding. With a surgical extraction, the dentist will probably need to place stitches in this area to close up the hole that was made. Gauze is also likely to be used as well. You may need to return to the dental clinic to have the stitches removed; however, this is not necessary if they are dissolvable stitches.

With either type of extraction, you will need to use caution with what you eat, drink, and do with your mouth. You must be careful when brushing your teeth to avoid disturbing the blood clot that forms after a tooth is removed, and you must try to avoid harming the stitches if you have them. You must also avoid eating hard, crunchy foods, and you will need to stay away from smoking and straws. The sucking motion used when smoking and drinking out of a straw can cause the blood clot to come loose. If this happens, you can develop a condition known as dry socket.

Alternatives To Tooth Extractions

In your situation, there is really no good alternative for solving the problems you have with your tooth, but there are ways to prevent this from happening again. Taking good care of your teeth is the best way to prevent problems with your teeth. In addition, if you visit a dentist regularly, he or she will locate cavities when they are small. Fixing a small cavity is a great way to save a tooth. Even if the cavity found is relatively big, an endodontist might be able to save the tooth by performing a root canal procedure.

If you have a tooth that cannot be repaired, getting it removed is the best way to handle the problem. After you do this, there are several options for replacing the tooth. To learn more about this, contact a dentist that specializes in tooth extractions or endodontics. For instance, try visiting a clinic like Renovo Endodontic Studio.

2 June 2016