What Are Tooth Extractions?
A tooth extraction is a procedure that removes a tooth from its socket in the jaw bone.
There are many reasons why a person may need a tooth extraction. The most common reason is to remove a tooth that is damaged beyond repair. The tooth or teeth that are extracted are usually causing pain, and a dentist will usually perform the procedure to relieve the pain and prevent further damage from happening.
Other reasons for tooth extraction are:
Tooth decay Tooth decay occurs when plaque is left to sit on your teeth. This acidic substance will eventually erode the protective enamel, and you will eventually experience a cavity. Although cavities are treatable, it’s best to avoid them altogether. Cavities will not go away on their own, and they may continue to grow larger. This means that you’ll need a dental filling. If the cavity is left untreated, you will lose more tooth structure, and the tooth may eventually fall out.
Accident Or Injury Extraction may also be necessary if your tooth is severely damaged due to an accident or injury. For example, if your tooth is impacted and is preventing other teeth from erupting, it will need to be extracted so the other teeth can erupt properly.
Periodontal disease If gum disease is left untreated, it will continue to damage the teeth and gums, eventually causing tooth loss. As the gums pull away from the teeth, the pockets between the teeth and gums become deeper. Bacteria will build up in these pockets, and this can cause infection. As the infection continues, the bone and gum tissue will continue to break down, eventually leading to tooth loss. Extraction can fix this problem. After removing the broken and damaged tooth, the extraction site will be treated. This will help to keep the area clean and free from infection.
Impacted wisdom teeth Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that grow in a crooked or angled direction. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause complications including pain, infection, and damage to surrounding teeth. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, your dentist will suggest treatment. Because the roots of impacted wisdom teeth grow around and under the gum line, removal is often necessary to prevent potential complications such as infection.
Orthodontic reasons When teeth are crowded or crooked, there may not be enough room in the mouth for all of your teeth to fit normally. This can lead to crooked teeth or teeth that overlap. This can also affect the way that the upper and lower jaws line up. Misaligned jaws can affect the way teeth line up and fit together. This can also affect a person’s bite.
Tooth Extraction for an Abscessed Tooth
Anyone who has experienced severe tooth pain knows how debilitating it can be. At first, you might just feel mild sensitivity to hot or cold foods, or soreness in your gum line. However, when it gets severe, eating, speaking, and sleeping can become difficult or even impossible. If you have an abscessed tooth, you may need a tooth extraction.
If you’re experiencing tooth pain, sensitivity, or swelling of the gums, you may have an abscessed tooth. An abscessed tooth is an infection inside the tooth, or at the tip of the tooth inside the gum. If you think you might have one, it’s crucial you seek treatment right away.
An abscessed tooth begins with a hole in the enamel. The hole may be due to impact, decay, or chewing hard foods. Once the inner layers of the tooth are open, bacteria can infect the inside of the tooth, resulting in a puss-filled abscess. It is at this stage that the infection becomes very painful, and may be accompanied by swelling of the gums, face, or jaw. To treat the abscess, a dentist will cut or drill into the gum or tooth, drain the puss, and wash out the area with a saline solution. In some cases, an abscessed tooth may require a tooth extraction, although your dentist will avoid this if possible. It is also common to give sufferers of an abscessed tooth antibiotics to chase any remaining infection out of the body.
How Are You Prepared For Tooth Removal?
At the dentist’s office, we will sedate you with a local anesthetic. Then, they will use forceps and other instruments to remove the affected teeth.
During the procedure, you may feel some pain and discomfort. Your dentist will provide you with post-operative care instructions, which will outline specific actions to take. For example, they will tell you to avoid eating or drinking at the surgical site. They will also let you know how long you should rest after the procedure.
There Are Different Types And Methods Of Extraction.
Simple extraction is where a tooth that can be seen in the mouth is pulled. In the simplest terms Dr. Abeyta would (after proper anesthesia of course) loosen the tooth with an instrument, then remove the tooth from its position in the mouth. The tool used to loosen is called an ‘elevator’ and forceps are used for the extraction.
A surgical extraction is used to remove a tooth or teeth that are broken below the gum line (unseen) or have not erupted in the mouth. This requires an oral surgeon who will make a small incision into your gum to surgically remove the broken tooth or impacted wisdom tooth.
How long does tooth extraction take?
The amount of time needed for tooth extraction can vary. A single tooth can take only a few seconds to extract while removing several teeth can take a little longer.
The tooth to be extracted will be numbed with a local anesthetic. If the patient has a lot of dental work to be completed, such as fillings and crowns, the anesthetic could wear off before the dental work can be completed. In that case, an additional anesthetic can be used to numb the area again.
What Should I Do After My Tooth Extraction?
You should follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions, which may include:
Do not disturb the extraction site with your tongue or fingers.
Do not smoke or rinse your mouth for 24 hours after treatment.
For the first day, eat soft foods like gelatin, pudding, and yogurt.
Avoid using a mouthwash with alcohol in it.
Using ice packs on your face will help reduce swelling. Alternate ice packs 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to keep swelling down.
Flush with warm salt water. Beginning the day following your surgery, swish your mouth with warm salt water. Mix one-half teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm (not hot!) water.
Be gentle. Refrain from smoking (might be a good time to quit!). Do not use a straw and try not to spit after surgery as these actions have the possibility of loosening and removing the blood clot from the hole where the tooth was which will cause unnecessary bleeding.
To find out more about the dental services offered by our dentist in Albuquerque NM, Dr. Snyder, call (505)-293-7611, schedule an online consultation or visit us at 4830 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Ste. K, Albuquerque, NM, 87111.
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