What is tooth extraction?

Tooth extraction is a procedure performed by a dentist or an oral surgeon where a tooth or teeth are removed using special dental tools and equipment. This procedure usually requires either local or general anesthesia. Before the procedure is performed, the dentist evaluates the condition of the patient’s teeth.

Why do we need an emergency tooth extraction?

There are many situations where an emergency tooth extraction is necessary. Let us find out below.

1. Severe damage due to trauma.

One of the common reasons why teeth trauma is experienced is when one gets involved in an accident. Most of these injuries happen during sports activities. A sports injury to the mouth can leave your teeth cracked and hurts your gums. Although some of these injuries can still be treated, there are severe cases when the only option is for extraction. Your dentist or oral surgeon will first take an x-ray of the affected portion of your mouth. This will help determine if the dentist can still save your teeth through restorative procedures or not. If the damage is severe, then the best option is to have an emergency tooth extraction. A tooth extraction will help stop further pain and damage.

2. Facilitation of cosmetic procedures.

Sometimes, cosmetic procedures such as teeth straightening would require that some teeth be extracted from your mouth. This would enable your teeth to straighten up properly if there is enough room in your mouth. This is especially true if your teeth are too crowded in your mouth. Teeth removal can ensure the proper alignment of teeth. Although this is not usually the case there are situations when teeth removal becomes necessary to complete a cosmetic procedure.

3. Damage to the teeth due to infection.

When your teeth experience severe decay, it may extend to the core of your teeth which is connected to the nerves and blood vessels. You experience great pain when the nerves are exposed and it gets hit by food particles. This condition may be beyond restoration and the only way out is by emergency tooth extraction. If this is left untreated, then the integrity and health of the root will be beyond repair. An extraction is the most logical option when this is the case.

After an extraction, the patient will have the option to choose to have dental implants to replace the missing tooth or teeth.

4. Slow-down or subside gum disease.

If the gum disease is still in its early stages, it can still be reversed. However, it can progress into a more severe condition that attacks not only the gums but other structures of the teeth as well. The gums will then recede and this weakens its support of your teeth. Your teeth can fall out or it needs an emergency tooth extraction. Although severe gum disease cannot be cured, there are procedures known to the dentist that can help slow down its progression.

5. Treating dental abscess.

When there is an infection in your teeth, you will find swelling and your tooth is filled with pus. This is tooth abscess. You will find it inside your tooth and you can feel great pain. Sometimes, you will not know that you have tooth abscess until you feel the pain. If left untreated, the tooth will become more infected since the abscess doesn’t heal on its own. It is then necessary to have an emergency dental extraction performed.

6. Tooth is fractured under your gums.

Usually, when you chew your food, your tooth absorbs a lot of impacts. Your tooth can become fractured especially if your teeth are not perfectly fit together. If the fracture is beneath the gum line, then it needs dental extraction as soon as possible.

7. Impacted wisdom tooth or other tooth damaged by a wisdom tooth.

During your late teens or early twenties, your wisdom teeth appear. Normally, your wisdom teeth will occupy the most interior portion of your jaws. However, it can happen that the wisdom tooth will not have space in your jaws. One of two things can happen. First, the wisdom tooth can push the other teeth out of its way. Otherwise, it gets stuck underneath the gums. The second scenario leads to a painful situation. When this happens, you should call your emergency dentist immediately. Your emergency dentist may perform a wisdom tooth removal. If x-rays will show that your wisdom tooth is impacted beneath your gum line, then it needs to be removed.

It is necessary to extract impacted wisdom teeth. Otherwise, you will experience pain. Other problems that can happen with an impacted wisdom tooth include trapping food behind the wisdom tooth, gum disease or infection, tooth decay in a partially erupted wisdom tooth, and more.

However, even if your wisdom tooth is not impacted, some dentists and oral surgeons recommend that it be extracted so future problems can be prevented. It can prevent decay as a result of not being able to clean it properly because it is hard to get to it. And you will never know what diseases or complications can happen to your wisdom teeth when you get older.

How is tooth extraction performed?

Only dentists and oral surgeons can perform tooth extractions. Once you are ready for the procedure, an injection of local anesthesia will be administered. Sometimes, general anesthesia is administered to a patient. A general anesthetic would bring about a reversible loss of consciousness and loss of pain. This way you can simply sleep throughout the procedure and be insensitive to pain or other stimuli.

If the tooth extraction is for an impacted wisdom tooth, a small cut or incision will be made into the gum to be able to access the tooth. The dentist might also need to remove a small piece of bone that is covering the tooth.

To make it easier for the dentist to remove the tooth through the small opening, the tooth may be cut into smaller parts. However, if the tooth has fully erupted through the gums, then the incision is no longer necessary.

Your dentist will then rock the tooth back and forth so that the tooth socket can be widened before taking it out. This procedure can make you feel some pressure just before the tooth is removed.

Because of the anesthesia, you shouldn’t feel any pain while your wisdom tooth is being extracted. If you feel any pain, don’t hesitate to inform your dentist or oral surgeon about it so that more anesthesia can be administered.

The time it takes to remove your wisdom tooth will vary depending on the condition or the placement of the tooth. Normally, it only takes a few minutes, but if there are complications then it can take a longer time.

When the surgery is done, your gums will be stitched back using dissolving sutures. This is only if an incision was made to pull the tooth out. These stitches usually dissolve within 7 to 10 days.

Gauze will be placed over the extraction and the patient is advised to hold his jaws together by biting position so that pressure is applied to the spot. This will assist in clot formation in the empty tooth socket. Blood clots aid in faster healing of the wound. If there is an infection, then you will be prescribed antibiotics by your dentist.

Post extraction advise

• After the dental procedure, there are some instructions that your dentist may give you.
• External use of ice-pack on the jaw where procedure has been carried out.
• Periodic replacement of the gauze over the extracted tooth.
• Refrain from spitting excessively so that the blood clot is not dislodged from the tooth socket.
• Pain killers may be advised for pain management.
• Normal activities can be performed the day after the extraction. However, you should avoid strenuous activities to avoid dislodging of clot from the socket.
• Post-surgical recovery can be accelerated by, drink lots of water but refrain from drinking alcohol, coffee, soda, or hot beverages. This is good in the first 24 hours. Also, refrain from drinking from a straw for at least a week.
• After surgery, refrain from brushing your teeth. Simply use a mouthwash to rinse your teeth. After 24 hours, you can resume brushing your teeth normally. Be gentle near the part where the tooth had been extracted.