Why Do I Need a Surgical Extraction?
Good oral hygiene is important for good oral health and maintaining healthy teeth. Unfortunately, accidents can happen and there can be circumstances outside our control which prompt the dentist to recommend removing a tooth. In some cases, this is actually necessary to maintain good oral health and preserve the other natural teeth. Most of the teeth are relatively easy to remove. But. in some cases, the extraction is more complicated, requiring a more involved surgical procedure. Below is a summary of why surgical tooth extractions may be needed and other common questions related to the procedure.
Preserving a Tooth
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), teeth are commonly removed when patients experience trauma, disease, decay, or are overcrowded. Sometimes a damaged tooth cannot properly be repaired with a filling or crown. This may be because of extensive decay, accident, or other complication. When damaged teeth cannot be preserved, they need to be extracted. When patients have bone loss from advanced periodontal disease, they may be a candidate for the removal of one or more teeth. Teeth may also need to be extracted in the event of an abscess or infection which does not respond to a root canal or other treatment.
It is also not uncommon for an orthodontist to recommend at least one extraction prior to beginning orthodontic treatment. This is often needed in cases of crowed teeth. Another tooth which is often extracted is the wisdom teeth. They often erupt in an awkward position behind the molars.
Simple and Surgical Extraction
Surgical tooth extraction is surprisingly the most common surgical procedure in the United States. A simple extraction occurs when the tooth is visible above the gum line, and it can easily be removed by the dentist with forceps. When the tooth has not fully erupted or is impacted, the dentist will need to remove gum tissue or bone prior to extracting the tooth. This is considered to be a surgical extraction which requires stitches for closing the site of the tooth. Pain medication may be prescribed following the procedure.
During the initial visit, the dentist will typically complete a thorough examination and order x-rays. This information will be used to determine if the patient requires a simple or surgical extraction. In some cases, a simple extraction may turn into a surgical procedure. This may be the case if the tooth breaks off during a simple extraction, requiring the dentist to remove it in separate pieces.
Because wisdom teeth are commonly impacted, they often require surgical extraction. Tooth impaction occurs when the tooth does not completely erupt in the mouth. In order to remove the tooth, the dentist must cut through gum tissue and bone. Other scenarios which require a surgical extraction include removing severely broken teeth, root tips, or teeth with long-curved roots. Surgical extraction also becomes necessary when the bone around the tooth is dense.
Following a surgical extraction, patients will typically have one or more sutures at the site of the extraction. Whether patients have a simple or surgical extraction, patients should be diligent in following the after-care instructions. This helps prevent complications and expedites the recovery process.
While the surgical extraction of a tooth can sound intimidating, it is actually quite common. Following the extraction, patients can discuss tooth replacement options, such as implants, with their dentist. There are excellent options available to restore the function and appearance of a missing tooth.