Did you know that the concept of tooth extraction was established thousands of years ago? Evidence of tooth extraction practices dating back to ancient Egypt has been found, proving this dental procedure’s importance in overall health. While the idea of tooth extraction may sound daunting, it’s sometimes the best course of action to preserve your overall health in addition to maintaining oral health at an optimal state.
While the reasons for extracting a tooth may vary, they are often necessary to prevent further complications like infection, overcrowding, or damage to adjacent teeth. In some cases, avoiding extraction can result in more serious dental issues, such as the spread of decay or the formation of painful abscesses.
Want to benefit from the latest dental technology and techniques? Visit the best dental clinic in Dubai.
What Is Tooth Extraction and When Is It Necessary?
Tooth extraction can be summarized as the process of removing a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. While it’s generally a last resort, dentists may recommend it under specific circumstances, such as:
Severe Tooth Decay
When cavities become advanced and start destroying most of the tooth’s structure, affecting the surrounding bone or gum tissue, extraction becomes the only way to prevent infection and stop further spread of damage.
Advanced Gum Disease (Periodontitis)
In cases of severe periodontitis, the gum and bone tissue surrounding the tooth can deteriorate, causing the tooth to loosen. Extracting the tooth, in this case, may be necessary to stop the progression of the disease.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth often grow in at odd angles, causing them to push against neighboring teeth, leading to crowding, pain, and infection. In such cases, extraction can be recommended to avoid long-term complications.
Overcrowded Teeth
When there isn’t enough room in your mouth to accommodate all your teeth properly, extraction is often needed before orthodontic treatments, like braces, to make room for realignment.
Tooth Trauma
Accidents or injuries that cause a tooth to break or crack beyond repair using other dental means, such as crowns, can require an extraction. This is done to prevent further damage to surrounding tissue and teeth, preserving general oral health.
How Is the Extraction Performed?
The extraction process can vary from one patient to another depending on the complexity of the case, but generally, the process follows these standard procedures:
1- Initial Examination
Your dentist will assess the tooth and surrounding area with an X-ray to determine the best course of action. This step ensures that the extraction is performed as safely and efficiently as possible.
2- Anesthesia
A local anesthetic is typically used to numb the area around the tooth. For more complex extractions, such as wisdom teeth, sedation or general anesthesia might be recommended.
3- Extraction
In this stage, the dentist can proceed with either one of these 2 options:
1- Simple Extraction
In cases where the tooth is visible and easily accessible, a simple extraction is performed. The dentist uses a tool called an elevator to loosen the tooth, followed by forceps to remove it from the socket.
2- Surgical Extraction
If the tooth is impacted or broken below the gumline, a surgical extraction might be necessary. This involves making a small incision in the gum to access the tooth. In some cases, the tooth may need to be sectioned into smaller pieces to make removal easier.
4- Post-Extraction Care
Once the tooth is out, the dentist applies gauze to help a blood clot form and control bleeding. Gently bite on the gauze for at least 30 to 45 minutes after the procedure so that the bleeding can stop and the extraction site can heal properly.
On a side note, some special conditions require stitching as the extraction site might be too big to heal on its own. In this case, the dentist will apply stitches to the extraction site to help control bleeding and promote healing.
Whether you end up with the first option or the latter, the most important is to abide by all of the dentist’s instructions. Stay hydrated and stick to soft foods, avoiding straws and smoking for the first 48 hours. Most of the time, you can resort to applying an ice pack to the outside of your face to reduce swelling and eliminate discomfort.
Achieve a whiter, more confident smile effortlessly with the help of the best teeth whitening in Dubai.