Teeth Pulling 101
There are many reasons why an individual will undergo teeth pulling procedures at a dental office. Some of the reasons are:
- Dental trauma
- Crowded teeth
- Decayed teeth
- Periodontal Disease (gum disease)
- Impacted teeth
A tooth extraction procedure is performed by a dentist or oral surgeon, typically without the need for an inpatient stay. During this outpatient dental operation, a patient will receive either local, general, or IV anesthesia.
Preparing for a Tooth Extraction
It is essential for an individual undergoing a tooth extraction to follow all pre-operation instructions. Pre-operation instructions include what they should eat and avoid eating a certain number of hours before the procedure.
When teeth pulling is necessary, an individual should disclose past health history to their dentist or oral surgeon. Health conditions vital to note include diabetes, liver disease, adrenal disease, a compromised immune system, or hypertension.
Additionally, individuals undergoing a tooth extraction should speak with the dentist performing the surgery if they are undergoing treatment with a bisphosphonate or soon will be. The tooth extraction will need to be done before the patient begins treatment that involves bisphosphonate. There is a risk that bisphosphonate treatment can cause bone death or osteonecrosis.
Wear comfortable clothes and if getting IV anesthesia, wear a short-sleeve shirt. In addition, individuals receiving anesthesia should make transportation arrangements to and from the tooth pulling operation.
Types of Tooth Pulling
There are two types of teeth extraction procedures one will undergo, simple or surgical.
Simple Tooth Extraction
Simple extraction of a tooth usually involves local anesthesia on the gums surrounding the tooth or teeth the dentist will be removing. The local anesthesia will numb the damaged or unhealthy tooth area, so the patient feels a slight pressure when the dentist removes the tooth. The tool the dentist will use to loosen the tooth is known as an elevator, and the tool the dentist will remove the tooth with is known as forceps.
Surgical Tooth Extraction
Local and IV anesthesia will be given to patients who need surgical removal of their tooth or teeth. Depending on the type and length of the extraction, general anesthesia may be necessary, so the patient is unconscious during the procedure.
An oral surgeon will make a small incision on the gum during surgical teeth pulling operations to reach the tooth’s root. At times it is necessary to remove some of the bone surrounding the damaged or unhealthy tooth. In addition, the oral surgeon might have to cut the tooth for it to be removed from the socket.
If a damaged or unhealthy tooth is a worry, contact Dr. Pollock to discuss options!
Teeth Pulling With Dr. Pollock
Pulling teeth allows individuals with broken, chipped, dislodged, or otherwise damaged teeth to find relief from pain and regain full function of their mouth and jaws. Contact the team at Rockwall Oral Surgery to discuss pulling a tooth.
Ready to make your dental goals a reality? Our team is eager to assist our patients with personalized tooth pulling options. Contact Dr. Pollock at Rockwall Oral Surgery to schedule a dental appointment. We are available by phone at (469) 264-8921 or email at info@dentalimplantsurgery.com.
We look forward to helping people find relief from their painful teeth!
