What is a tooth extraction, and why would I need one?
Dental extraction involves removing a tooth from your mouth. There are multiple reasons or causes for a tooth to be extracted. One of the main reasons would be extensive cavities. If you have a large cavity on your tooth where there's no real way to save it, that would be a good reason for us to take the tooth out. We may also encounter broken teeth, broken roots, infections, and other issues that could necessitate the extraction.
All extractions are pretty similar, but we sometimes differentiate them, such as surgical extractions, simple extractions, full bony, and impacted extractions. It really relates to where the tooth is in your mouth. If it's fully erupted and easy for us to slide it out, it's usually a simple extraction. If it's broken off or we need to remove a little bone to get the root or the tooth out, then it may be considered a surgical extraction.
Reasons to Consider Tooth Extraction
There are various reasons to consider having a tooth extraction:
- Decay: When a tooth is severely decayed and can no longer be saved with a filling or crown, an extraction may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection.
- Crowding: When there is not enough space in the mouth for all of a person’s teeth, an extraction may be recommended to make room for orthodontic treatment or to improve bite and oral health.
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth: When wisdom teeth do not have enough room to emerge properly, they can become impacted, leading to pain, infection, and crowding of other teeth. In these cases, an extraction may be necessary.
- Gum Disease: Severe gum disease can lead to bone loss and looseness of teeth, making extractions necessary to improve oral health.
- Orthodontic Treatment: In some cases, orthodontic treatment may require the removal of certain teeth to create more space for repositioning other teeth.
- Trauma: If a tooth is fractured or damaged beyond repair due to injury or trauma, an extraction may be necessary to prevent further damage and promote healing.
The team at Reiser Dental is here to help you determine the best course of treatment for your specific needs and goals.
When would we recommend a wisdom tooth to be extracted?
It depends on a few factors. One of the main things we look at is an X-ray to see where they're located in your mouth. If you have enough room for those teeth to come in without affecting the adjacent teeth, and you're able to keep them clean and they're not causing issues, we say they're yours to keep.
But more often than not, they're extremely hard to keep clean, are cavity-prone, or are coming in at an angle where there's not enough space. In such cases, we recommend having them taken out to prevent future issues.
When would braces require a tooth extraction?
This situation arises when there isn't enough room in your mouth for your teeth to align straight. If expanding or moving your arch doesn't provide the necessary space to align your teeth, we might extract one or two teeth to gain that space.
Is tooth extraction advisable for young children?
Just because they're young doesn't mean they don't need treatment. If a child has a tooth that is infected, broken, or has a large cavity that can't be treated, the best option is to extract that tooth.
If I have gum disease, would a tooth extraction become necessary?
Unfortunately, yes. We do everything we can to keep your gums healthy, as healthy gums mean a healthy mouth. However, if your gums cannot support the tooth and there's nothing we can do to help, sometimes that tooth will need to be extracted.
When we're extracting a tooth, we are performing oral surgery.
What's the difference between simple and surgical tooth extraction?
It's really about how involved the extraction is going to be. In a simple extraction, we usually take a small wedge, put it between your teeth, wiggle it, and the tooth slides right out. We consider it a surgical extraction if we need to get more involved, such as reflecting back your tissue to access the bone or removing some bone to access and extract the tooth.
The Tooth Extraction Procedure
Tooth extractions are performed due to overcrowding, infection, injury, or decay. Preparation for the extraction procedure involves a thorough exam and x-rays.
Simple tooth extractions involve removing a visible tooth that is easily accessible, by numbing the area with local anesthesia and using forceps or elevators to loosen and remove the tooth.
Surgical extractions are necessary for teeth that are not easily accessible, such as impacted wisdom teeth or teeth that have broken at the gumline. During a surgical extraction, an incision is made in the gum to expose the tooth and surrounding bone. The dentist uses special tools to extract the tooth, and closes the incision with sutures. Surgical extractions require a longer recovery time and additional follow-up appointments for monitoring and care.
Tooth Extraction Recovery
Proper tooth extraction care is important for a smooth and successful recovery. Reiser Dental provides specific aftercare instructions, which may include biting down on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes to control bleeding, avoiding rinsing or spitting for 24 hours, taking pain medication as prescribed, avoiding smoking or using a straw for 24 hours, avoiding solid foods and sticking to a soft food diet for the first few days, and rinsing with salt water several times a day to promote healing.
It is also important to keep the extraction site clean by brushing and flossing normally, but avoiding the extraction site for the first 24 hours. If there is excessive swelling, pain, or bleeding, it is important to contact our office right away. Following the aftercare instructions carefully can help ensure a quick and successful recovery from a tooth extraction.
Where should I go if I need an emergency tooth extraction?
I tell all my patients that the first thing you should do is text or call me. I'm available 24/7. If you're having an emergency, please reach out. If it's an emergency involving an extraction, we'll work together to get you into the office as quickly as possible.
We normally schedule a tooth extraction for an hour to an hour and a half. Most of that time involves paperwork and post-operative instructions. The actual process of removing your tooth should take about 15 minutes.
Do I need dental implants after a tooth extraction?
In most cases, yes. Usually, when we remove a tooth, we would like to replace it with another tooth to support the adjacent teeth. In certain situations, such as extracting a wisdom tooth, we won't place an implant. If your health doesn't allow for an implant, we won't replace the tooth with an implant. However, 90% of the time, if we extract a tooth, we highly recommend replacing it with an implant.
This is patient preference. I would say that for probably 95% of my extractions, placing implants is done under local anesthetic with just one simple injection. Depending on your situation and comfort level, we can discuss sedation as an option.
Treat your entire mouth as you normally would—brushing and flossing. Be careful around the specific area of the extraction, but in general, your home care remains the same.
Why do we recommend avoiding rinsing after a tooth extraction?
There are a few reasons. Often, when we extract a tooth, we'll graft the area with a bone graft. If we don't use a bone graft, we place a collagen plug inside the socket to keep it healthy. Vigorous rinsing can dislodge the bone graft or the clot plug, hindering healing.
A dry socket is the inability of the bone around the extraction site to receive blood flow. Without good blood flow, the bone around the roots will die, causing discomfort. Nowadays, we take measures to prevent this, such as bone grafting. By using a bone graft, we almost eliminate the possibility of a dry socket. Additionally, placing certain medications and collagen plugs after the extraction helps prevent it. We advise against negative pressure, such as sucking, for two weeks after the procedure.
How long should I wait to exercise after a tooth extraction?
Generally, we recommend waiting two to three days. In certain situations, you may be able to exercise the next day. Normally, within three days, you're back to normal. This can vary depending on the level of extraction or the number of teeth removed, but usually, two to three days after the extraction, you're back to your routine.
If you're uncertain or feel you might need a tooth extracted, please call us. We'll have you come in to assess whether a tooth needs extraction or if there's another solution. I hope I was able to answer some of your questions about dental extractions. If you're considering an extraction or have more questions, please give us a call.
Contact Reiser Dental Today
If you’re considering a tooth extraction, or if you’re experiencing symptoms that may require one, don’t wait. Contact Reiser Dental today to schedule a consultation with our experienced team. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will help guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have to ensure a smooth and successful experience in Denver, CO.