Everyone wants to keep their teeth for a lifetime but there are times when it may be necessary for your dentist to extract a tooth to benefit your oral health. Tooth extractions are an effective way to relief way and prevent any further problems.
When are tooth extractions necessary?
A dentist will only extract a tooth if there is a real cause for concern. If a tooth is severely damaged due to decay and is irreparable, then the bacteria that is caused by decay can cause an infection. This can then spread, and the best way to prevent this is to remove the tooth entirely.
Another common reason why a tooth may be extracted is if it is blocked from coming through the gum or has only partially come through, this is known as an impacted tooth. It prevents the tooth from growing normally and can end up damaging other teeth. This is usually common with wisdom teeth.
Sometimes a dentist will need to make room in the mouth to eliminate overcrowding by extracting one or more teeth. By removing teeth that are causing overcrowding, it will help provide enough space to allow your teeth to straighten and align properly.
What is the process for extracting a tooth?
Your dentist will take an X-ray of the tooth to help determine the treatment you need. There are two types of procedures involved when extracting a tooth; simple extraction and surgical extraction. Depending on whether the tooth is exposed or not will determine which procedure you have.
Simple Tooth Extractions
Your dentist will perform the procedure with local anesthesia if your tooth is exposed. This will help numb the surrounding area so you won’t experience any pain during the procedure, although you may feel a slight pressure. To extract the tooth, your dentist will use a tool called an elevator which helps loosen it, before using forceps to remove the tooth from the socket.
Surgical Tooth Extractions
If your tooth is broken or is not fully emerged, you will be referred to an oral surgeon for a surgical extraction. You may be given both local anesthesia and intravenous anesthesia so you won’t feel any pain and will feel calm and relaxed instead. The oral surgeon will make a small incision on your gum and in some instances, they may need to remove some of the bone from around your tooth before it can be extracted.
A surgical extraction is more painful than a simple extraction, and after your tooth has been extracted, you will likely experience some swelling and pain but this is completely normal. This is the start of the healing process, but if you wish to reduce the swelling, you can place an ice pack on top of the swollen area.
If you have any concerns about your teeth and need a dentist in the Mt Kisco, New York area, contact Elim Dental today.