An extraction is a dental procedure performed to remove a tooth from your mouth. With regular, preventative dental care, extractions are usually unnecessary. Although extractions are rarely preferred, they are sometimes necessary under certain conditions.
When are extractions needed?
Extractions are usually required for the following reasons:
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Irreparable decay. When a tooth becomes too decayed to repair, an extraction is usually necessary. This is often the case if there is not enough tooth material to support a restorative procedure.
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Dental infections. Large cavities can work their way through the tooth enamel to the underlying dentin, eventually reaching the pulp or center of a tooth. The pulp houses the tooth’s blood supply and nerves, so if a cavity permits oral bacteria to infect the pulp, extreme discomfort often ensues. If a tooth is salvageable in these instances, your dentist may prescribe a root canal. However, an infected tooth that is too extensively damaged for restoration must be removed.
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Trauma. A tooth can become extremely damaged by trauma from an accident or a blow to the mouth. If a resulting dental crack extends through the roots of a tooth, the tooth must be removed.
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Crowding. If your mouth is too small to accommodate the the larger permanent teeth, one of your teeth may need to be extracted—especially if braces are needed.
What can you expect during an extraction?
There are two types of dental extractions: simple and surgical. Here is what you can expect from each.
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Simple Extraction. If the entire crown of your tooth is intact and fully exposed, your dentist will likely prescribe a simple extraction. During a simple extraction, your mouth is numbed and the tooth is loosened then pulled from your mouth using forceps.
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Surgical Extraction. During a surgical extraction, a small incision is made in the gums to remove the tooth. This may be performed when a tooth is impacted or has a significantly damaged crown.
At the Gentle Dental Center in Virginia Beach, we recommend checkups every 6 months to stay on top of dental health issues before they get out of hand. However, if you have not had regular dental visits, it is never too late to see a dental professional and get started on the path to good dental health.
If you have a damaged tooth that needs to be examined contact our office at (757) 689-2940 or request an appointment online.
