Tooth Extraction A tooth extraction is the dental procedure of completely removing a tooth from its socket, commonly known as, pulling a tooth. The purpose of preventative dentistry is largely to prevent this process. At Town Center Dental, we want to do everything we can to help save your natural teeth. However, restorative dental procedures such as implants, root canals, crowns, or bridges may not be enough to save the tooth. If your tooth has been badly damaged past the point of repair, its removal might be necessary.Procedure before a tooth extractionExtractions may be performed by a general dentist or dental specialist. While a general dentist may have performed hundreds of extractions, some cases can be more complex than others and may require the care of a referred oral surgeon or periodontist. Before your extraction, your dentist will assess the damage to the outside of your tooth and surrounding soft tissues. Then an X-ray is taken to assess any internal damage to the tooth or loss of alveolar bone structure. Procedure during a tooth extractionDuring the extraction, a local anesthetic will be applied to the gum surrounding the tooth, numbing the tooth and surrounding tissues. If the tooth is not heavily damaged, the dentist will use forceps to rock the tooth back and forth, detaching it from ligaments at the root and removing it from its socket. In some cases, the gum and bone tissue surrounding the tooth will be cut away so it can be more easily removed from its socket. Sometimes the tooth might be heavily decayed or broken at the gum line making it hard to pull. In these cases, the tooth will be removed in pieces. Procedure after a tooth extractionOnce the tooth has been removed, the socket is cleaned and disinfected. If any significant bone loss has occurred, the dentist may place a bone graft in the jaw, to prevent further bone loss. A bone graft is like a scaffolding over which your bone will regenerate. The bone graft may be tissue from your own body, synthetic tissue, tissue purchased from a human tissue bank, or animal tissue bank. After the tooth is extracted, your dentist will pack the socket with a small piece of gauze. This helps a blood clot to form in the socket, and prevents excessive bleeding, ensuring the socket heals but is not too dry. Sometimes a few self-dissolving stitches will be made over the extraction site to close the gum's edges over it. Considerations for dental extractionsDepending on the case, the time it will take for you to return to routine activities after your tooth extraction may take between 48 to 72 hours. It can take several weeks for the jawbone to heal completely. If you are considering dental implants, you will likely need to wait a few months to make a full recovery, as the implant needs a strong supporting structure before it can be installed. Any time you are experiencing a toothache or type of mouth pain, it is important that you schedule a visit with us at Town Center Dental. Following your exam, our dentist will recommend the best way to treat the issue and rule out any unnecessary treatments. If an extraction is necessary, the dentist will recommend the proper aftercare and diet during your recovery. Call us today at 636-273-5866 to schedule a dental exam, or for more information. |
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