What is tooth extraction?
Tooth extraction is the process of removing a damaged or infected tooth, by uprooting it from the gums.
Does tooth extraction hurt?
The procedure of tooth extraction does not hurt at all, as you’d be anesthetized. There would be some residual pain from the extraction. However, that pain is absolutely tolerable and Ibuprofen would be more than enough for you to deal with it.
Why would I need a tooth extraction?
Wisdom tooth removal is the most common form of tooth extraction. You may get a wisdom tooth, and like 5 million people in the U.S, decide to remove it.
You may even have an infected or a decayed tooth, which is so severe that a filling or sealant would not be enough to get rid of it.
You may have a misaligned tooth that puts a flaw on your smile, and you may decide to get that tooth removed and replaced.
You may have a broken, chipped or damaged tooth that doesn’t look good when you smile. In that case too, you may want to remove it and get it replaced.
What is the procedure for a tooth extraction?
- You will be given a local or general anesthesia to ease you during the tooth extraction procedure. The strength of the anesthetic depends on your comfort levels.
- Next, the infected or damaged tooth will be extracted with the help of pliers. These pliers grab on to your tooth and gently stroke it to and fro, to loosen the root from the gums and bone. If the tooth is too hard to remove, some surrounding gum tissues may be removed to ease the extraction. If the tooth still cannot be removed, it would be removed in pieces.
- The cuts resulting from the extraction would be stitched with dissolving stitches. A blot clot forms in the socket after the extraction, to cover which, the dentist would apply a gauze pad over it and ask you to bite it gently. Bite too hard, and the clot would break, leading to a painful condition called ‘dry socket’!
How many appointments does it require to get a tooth extracted?
Usually, tooth extractions require only a single visit. Only in some complex situations like multiple teeth extractions, you would need to visit the dentist more than once for the purpose.
What options do I have to replace my tooth?
After tooth extraction, you may consider the following alternatives to your natural tooth:
- Implants
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Partial dentures(if you’ve extracted numerous teeth).
Could I replace my tooth with my original tooth?
In some instances, it is indeed possible. For example, if you have a misaligned tooth, you may get it extracted and have it placed in the same socket in an aligned manner, provided that the tooth is healthy. However, there is no purpose in replacing a broken or infected tooth with itself!
Just a bad tooth may not require a tooth extraction at all. Consult with your dentist about a dental problem that you’ve been experiencing, to find out if you really need one!
