What You Need to Know About Tooth Extractions
At Rockwall Oral Surgery, we will do everything possible to save a tooth that has been badly damaged or decayed. Regrettably, this isn’t always feasible, and tooth extraction is sometimes the best course of action. We understand that this is a frightening or unsettling thought. No one wants a tooth to fall out! However, we have some replacement options to restore your smile’s function and appearance. Thanks to cutting-edge technology and the finest materials, many of the restorations we offer will be virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
When Is It Necessary to Extract a Tooth?
A tooth may need to be extracted for a variety of reasons. Some of which include:
- Decay: A tooth that has become severely decayed may not support a crown.
- Damaged: A severely broken or damaged tooth due to trauma or injury.
- Impacted: Impacted teeth can be excruciatingly painful, and they can even cause an abscess or cyst to form.
- Infected: An infected tooth can be excruciatingly painful. The problem will only get worse if the infection is allowed to spread.
- Wisdom teeth: Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth that a person has. Because there isn’t enough room in the jaw, many patients choose to remove these teeth.
Two Types of Tooth Extractions:
- Extraction Without Surgery
- Surgical Extraction
Extraction Without Surgery
A non-surgical extraction is when a tooth that has already erupted is removed. To begin, the area is numbed with a local anesthetic before removing the tooth. The tooth will then be removed from its socket with the help of an elevator. The elevator aids in the separation of the tooth’s roots from the underlying jawbone, ligaments, and other supporting tissues. We’ll use a pair of forceps to remove the tooth from the mouth altogether once it’s loose enough.
After the tooth has been extracted, we will pack the empty socket with gauze to reduce bleeding. In some cases, we may recommend a socket preservation procedure. During this procedure, a small amount of bone graft material is placed into the socket.
Surgical Extraction
An extraction by surgery is a little more complicated. A surgical extraction is most commonly used to remove a tooth before it erupts above the gum line. In addition, surgical extractions can remove impacted teeth, extra teeth, and teeth grown in at an angle.
We will numb the area with a local anesthetic during a surgical extraction. We also provide various sedation options in conjunction with nitrous oxide to help with anxiety and discomfort. We will then make a small cut in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and the underlying bone. We usually break the tooth into several pieces to make the extraction process more manageable. To finish, we’ll suture the incisions once the tooth is entirely out.
Tooth Extractions with Dr. Pollock
Ready to overcome dental pain with tooth extractions? Our team is eager to assist our patients with personalized dental surgery options and treatments. 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 dental pain!
