No one wants to lose a tooth, but it happens to the best of us. But when you find out that the dentist is going to have to pull a tooth from our mouths, it is a whole different ballgame. There is a reason for it – something has gone wrong, and your dentist needs to fix it.
Your dentist may recommend extraction if you tooth is…
- Seriously damaged, either due to injury or decay, and cannot be saved
- A wisdom tooth (third molar), it may cause crowding, alignment problems, pain, or infection
- Blocking another tooth from coming in
- A baby tooth that didn’t fall out in time
- Causing crowding, a dentist or orthodontist may recommend removing some teeth to allow braces to better adjust the remaining teeth
- Infected, or could potentially be an infection source in high-risk patients such as those undergoing organ transplants or cancer treatment
Extractions typically fall into one of two classes – simple and surgical. Dentists often perform simple extractions, where oral surgeons often perform surgical extractions. Simple extractions generally involve a single tooth that is visible in the mouth, with clear alignment – after numbing the area with local anesthetic, the tooth will be loosened using an instrument known as an elevator, and then pulled with an instrument known as forceps. For surgical removal, the surgeon may use local anesthetic, moderate sedation, or general anesthesia, and likely use a combination of tools and techniques to remove teeth that may be difficult to see, especially within the gums.
If your dentist recommends an extraction, it’s likely that you have a potentially serious problem. But worry not – tooth extractions are a lot less painful than they once were.
For more information about tooth extractions, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.
Dr. Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.