The extraction of teeth is a procedure in dentistry in which a tooth is entirely detached from its socket in the jawbone. According to the nature of the tooth, the procedure may require one or multiple dental visits to complete. Except in the case of primary teeth, tooth extraction is generally not advised unless there is no possibility of saving the tooth. A tooth can be extracted through either a routine extraction or surgery by dr. addie chang.
When the tooth is plainly visible above the gum line, the most common extraction procedure is simple. A local anesthetic is administered before the tooth is loosened and extracted with instruments. In cases where a tooth is severely fractured or impacted, surgical extraction is performed to ensure that the entire tooth is extracted.
Why Is Tooth Extraction Performed?
Oral surgeons and general dentists are both capable of extracting teeth. Among the causes why your permanent teeth might require to be extracted are the following:
- Grave Decay
Plaque-forming bacteria in your mouth subsist on food-derived sugars. As the microbes digest the sugars, they produce an acid that erodes the enamel, resulting in cavities. Initial cavities are straightforward to address. However, the enamel is severely eroded in extreme instances, rendering it unstable. It becomes frail and incapable of procedures such as fillings or even supporting a crown.
In some cases, degeneration can lead to an abscess in the bone or an infection of the pulp. In spite of the fact that a root canal can help eliminate a pulp infection or abscess, the likelihood of a successful treatment is diminished if the tooth is gravely damaged. At this juncture, your dentist will recommend extraction as the only remaining means of preventing the spread of cavities.
- The Wisdom Molars
Typically, wisdom teeth, the third molars at the rear of the mouth, are the last set of teeth to erupt. The teeth may become impacted, partially emerge through the gums, or develop at an abnormal angle. All of these circumstances are unsettling and sometimes even excruciating. In order to enhance the quality of your life, your dentist may recommend that you have teeth extracted if they are causing you discomfort or rendering it difficult to care for your teeth, such as through brushing correctly.
- Trauma
Any severe blow to the teeth may lead them to fracture irreparably. When a fracture or fissure extends to a tooth’s root, it is usually impossible to save the tooth, and extraction is deemed necessary. Usually, this is done to prevent further complications, including a tooth infection.