Tooth Extraction

Your teeth play many important roles in your mouth, from biting and chewing, to smiling, even providing you with a confident smile. Your teeth also play an integral role in the health of your jawbone. While your teeth are incredibly strong, physical damage and decay can compromise them. The ideal solution, when faced with significant damage, is to restore the affected teeth with either a filling or a crown. If the damage is too severe, this may not be possible though. In cases such as these, Aesthetic Dentistry of Bend – Thomas E. Wold, DMD can help with extraction.

The Importance Of Treating Tooth Damage

When your teeth are damaged, it is imperative to seek treatment right away. Even damage that does not seem that significant at the time should be examined. Without treatment, tooth damage can worsen over time, weakening the affected teeth and leaving them susceptible to further damage and dangerous infections.

When Is An Extraction Necessary?

Typically, damaged teeth are treated with either fillings or crowns. These restorations are designed to restore the health of the affected teeth as well as their strength. However, there are certain situations in which teeth can be too severely damaged and therefore cannot be restored. In these cases, extractions become necessary. Common reasons for a tooth extraction include:

• Teeth that have fractures below the gum line. The fracture may start in the crown and travel down under the gums, or it may be completely below the gum line and invisible to the naked eye.
• Severe tooth decay.
• Split or shattered teeth.

In some cases, you may require a tooth extraction for other reasons, when there is no damage to the teeth. These reasons include:

• Overcrowding. Overcrowding is treated with orthodontics. To create enough space and properly align the teeth, extracting one or more teeth is necessary.
• Impacted wisdom teeth. Impacted teeth are those that cannot properly erupt through the gums. When your wisdom teeth are impacted, you may be faced with pain, infections, and possible tooth damage. Extracting these teeth is necessary for restoring your oral health and preventing serious issues.

Types Of Extractions

There are two types of extractions that may be performed, simple or surgical. During your appointment, we will assess the extent of the damage to determine that tooth extraction is necessary, and which type will be best.

A simple extraction is a straightforward process that is done under a local anesthetic. We use a tool called an elevator, which helps us to loosen your gums and the periodontal ligament from around the tooth. Next, the tooth is grasped with forceps. We use this tool to move the tooth back and forth gently but firmly to loosen the periodontal ligament further and widen the socket. We are then able to lift the tooth out of your mouth. If necessary, we can close the area with a stitch.

A surgical extraction is used in more complex situations. This procedure, like a simple extraction, is done under a local anesthetic. Sedation may also be provided to help further ensure your comfort. Incisions are made in your gums to expose the root of the affected tooth and surrounding bone. We then work to remove the tooth. This may require removing a portion of bone or breaking the tooth and removing it in sections. Once the tooth has been completely extracted, the area is cleaned, and your incisions are sutured closed.