When one or more of your teeth is/are severely damaged or decayed, and there is no other treatment possible, the removes the tooth by surgery and the process is known as dental extraction. Also, Tooth or teeth that are loose also may need extraction. We will discuss in this article the need, procedure, and care after the extraction.
Need for Extraction
Following points indicates the need of extracting your tooth or teeth.
- The baby teeth that do not fall in time, and cause place problem for coming teeth need to be extracted.
- People undergoing ortho treatment (braces) need extraction of one or two teeth to make space for other teeth to move in place.
- Extra teeth that block or create issues for other teeth need to be extracted.
- Wisdom teeth that are infected need extraction.
- People who are undergoing cancer treatment take medications by which their resistance to illnesses weakens, and may develop infections in teeth that needs an extraction.
Procedure for extraction of teeth
Extraction of teeth is of two types, namely simple extractions and surgical extractions.
Simple extractions
A simple extraction is done on the teeth that are visible in the mouth. In this, first dentist gives anesthesia to numb the area near the tooth. Then, an elevator (dental instrument) is used to loosen the tooth. Then a pair of forceps is used to pull out the tooth.
Surgical extractions
Surgical extractions are done for teeth that are broken at the gum line, and for the ones that are not visible in the mouth but causing problem for other teeth. The dentist gives anesthesia to numb the area, then makes a small incision in the gum and with the help of drill and forceps, pulls out the tooth.
In many cases, the dentist has to cut the teeth in half, if it is not coming out and your gum area has no place so that the tooth comes out smoothly without causing damage to other teeth. After removing the tooth successfully, the dentist performs one or two stitches to close the gums.
Care after extractions
As in case of other dental procedures, you need to take care so that the surgery area heals causing minimal pain. It is sensible to take care along the following points.
- Avoid hot food as gums are tender especially in the area from where the tooth was extracted.
- There may be swelling for one-two days, an ice pack can be used on face in order to reduce swelling.
- Eat cold food as it gives a soothing feel.
- Avoid smoking.
- Make sure to use straw while drinking liquid foods, as this will lead to little or no pressure that can lead to bleeding from the area where the tooth was extracted.
- After a day, rinse your mouth with warm salt water. This keeps the area clean.
- Make sure to take medicines as prescribed by your doctor.
- If the swelling and pain last more than one week, contact your dentist without fail.
Dental (tooth) extraction is performed in extreme cases when no other option is there to save the tooth and other teeth. Appropriate oral hygiene and going for regular check-ups professional dentists might help.