If your tooth has become heavily damaged by infections or tooth decay and cannot be restored your best course of action to treat this problem is to ask your dentist for a tooth extraction. As the name suggests, a tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its original socket.
This type of treatment is usually performed by a general dentist or an oral surgeon and requires you to follow an aftercare plan to ensure the proper healing results. Continue reading to learn more about the tooth extraction process and other aspects of the treatment.
When it comes to tooth extractions there two main types: a simple extraction and a surgical extraction. Typically, the dentist will numb the area around the extraction site before performing one of the extractions.
Simple extractions
Simple extractions or typically performed on teeth that are visible above your gum line. Your dentist will loosen d selected tooth using a tool called an elevator.
What’s the tooth is loose enough the dentist will then use forceps to rock the tooth back and forth until it is extracted from its socket. Teeth that have sustained trauma are crowded together or that have decayed are all common reasons to perform a simple tooth extraction.
Surgical extractions
If you’re dealing with a more severe case of tooth extraction and such as wisdom teeth that are impacted and if not grown and correctly the dentist will then perform a surgical extraction.
Other common reasons why you would need a surgical extraction would be if a tooth is broken below your gum line and must be removed in pieces or if a tooth is severely decayed to the point that forceps cannot remove the tooth from its socket. Like the name implies a surgical extraction involves the dentist making incisions within the gum line to perform the extraction properly.
Common reasons to receive a tooth extraction:
- Irreparable damage sustained to the tooth due to severe decay or trauma
- As a solution to combat periodontal disease.
- Impacted wisdom teeth removal
- To invoke proper spacing and to eliminate overcrowding teeth
- Receiving dental implants
For more information on the tooth extraction process and to find out which extraction type it’s best for your dental needs, contact our office located in Schaumburg, IL to schedule an appointment to speak with Dr. Patel. Be sure to ask about our other dental services that we offer to complete your dental health care journey.