Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is one of the most commonly encountered procedures in the dental office. While many teenagers and adults undergo the removal of wisdom teeth, there are other reasons why dental extraction may be necessary in adulthood.

As the name implies, dental extraction involves the removal of a tooth or a wisdom molar from the dental arch under the following circumstances:

  • The tooth is severely decayed.
  • In cases of periodontal disease, where teeth have increased mobility.
  • The tooth is fractured or broken.
  • The tooth has a root infection.
  • Deciduous (baby) teeth obstruct the eruption of a permanent tooth.
  • Wisdom molars are misaligned, leading to crowding of other teeth on the arch and the development of interdental cavities.

Types of Dental Extraction

Dental extraction is performed by a dentist or an oral surgeon and is a relatively quick procedure carried out with local anesthesia or, occasionally, general anesthesia. The removal of visible teeth constitutes a simple extraction. However, teeth that are broken or those that have not fully erupted require a more complex procedure.

Thus, dental extraction can be categorized as:

  • Simple Extraction. This occurs when a tooth does not present complications. The removal of visible teeth falls into this category, and the procedure is relatively quick, performed with local anesthesia or, in some cases, general anesthesia.
  • Surgical Extraction. This type of extraction is necessary when a tooth is broken at the gum level or has not fully erupted. In such cases, the oral surgeon makes an incision around the tooth to facilitate its extraction. Surgical procedures may also involve sectioning or dividing the tooth into smaller fragments for easier removal. Local or general anesthesia may be employed depending on the complexity of the case.

How to Prepare for Dental Extractions

Before proceeding with the actual dental extraction, the dentist will request a dental X-ray from the patient. This allows them to determine the best extraction plan and observe if there are any cysts, infections, or other conditions that could complicate the extraction process. The patient should inform the dentist about any other ongoing treatments and disclose the use of vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter medications.

Additionally, the patient should inform the dentist if they have any of the following conditions:

  • diabetes
  • liver disease
  • thyroid disease
  • kidney disease
  • hypertension
  • damaged heart valves
  • adrenal disease
  • weakened immune system

How is the dental extraction performed?

After the above steps are followed, if everything progresses smoothly, the extraction process will commence, which can be either a simple or surgical extraction, depending on the severity and visibility of the tooth.

Simple Extractions

The patient receives local anesthesia, numbing the area around the tooth, allowing them to feel only pressure, not pain, during the procedure. The dentist then uses a medical instrument to loosen the tooth and forceps to remove it.

Surgical Extractions

For a surgical extraction, the patient receives local anesthesia, but general anesthesia is not excluded if the procedure proves to be laborious. The oral surgeon makes a small incision in the gum. It may be necessary to remove bone around the tooth or to section the tooth before extraction. Suturing of the gum may also be required.

Post-Dental Extraction Recommendations

After the intervention, once the anesthesia effect wears off, the patient may experience pain, which will subside with the administration of analgesics and anti-inflammatories. Normally, the healing process after extraction may take several days.

The following steps help ensure a smooth recovery:

  • Apply an ice pack to the cheek immediately after the procedure to reduce swelling. Use the ice pack for 10 minutes each time.
  • Take all prescribed medications by the dentist.
  • Rest and relax in the first 24 hours post-intervention.
  • Avoid smoking.
  • Brush and floss as usual, but avoid the extraction site.
  • Consume only soft foods in the first 48-72 hours. As the extraction site heals, gradually reintroduce solid foods.