While we all want to retain our natural teeth up to old age, tooth extraction may be inevitable. Tooth extraction could result from many factors, even with good oral practices. In most cases, we will recommend it as a last resort to save your tooth and prevent complex oral health issues. At Cooley Smiles, we will walk the journey with you to ensure maximum comfort throughout.What is Tooth Extraction and Why Do I Need a Tooth Removed?
Tooth extraction is the removal of your tooth from its socket in the bone. You are a candidate for tooth removal if you have gum disease, dental cavities, crowded teeth, impacted teeth, dental infections, wisdom teeth complications, and injury or trauma on the tooth or surrounding bones. Tooth extraction is also a preparatory procedure for prostheses and dental braces.
Before resolving to tooth extraction, we will consider alternatives like a dental filling, dental crown, and other restorative procedures. However, where the damage is too severe, tooth extraction is necessary.
What Are the Types of Tooth Extraction?
Upon careful examination of your tooth, we will determine whether to extract or administer a root canal. In tooth extraction, we will explore two options, simple and surgical, depending on the size, shape, and position of your tooth in the mouth.
A simple extraction is ideal for teeth visible above the gum line. To ensure maximum comfort, we will numb your tooth and gum tissue. Using a special instrument called an elevator, we will loosen your tooth and then use dental forceps to pull it off the socket.
A surgical extraction is complex and feasible for broken teeth or those still in the gums. The latter includes wisdom teeth, which in most people become impacted. The procedure includes making an incision into your gum to remove bone, gum tissue, or both. Depending on the state of the tooth, we will remove the tooth in pieces.
What to Expect During Tooth Extraction
Upon visiting our offices for a tooth extraction, we will take an x-ray of your mouth to evaluate your tooth root curvature. We will then numb the tooth area and begin the procedure. Using special tools, we will remove your tooth in small pieces. We will make an incision to remove teeth concealed under the gum easily. The procedure is painless, but you may feel pressure against your tooth. You may also hear cracking and grinding of the bones during the procedure.
After extraction, we will stitch the area and control the bleeding using gauze. The numbness will last a few hours after the procedure, and we will prescribe over-the-counter medication to relieve discomfort. You may also have mild swelling afterward, but this should fade in a few days.
What Are My Tooth Replacement Options After a Tooth Extraction?
After tooth extraction, it is advisable to replace your missing tooth, or teeth, to prevent bone resorption. Replacing missing teeth will also prevent a shift of the remaining teeth into the gap, which could affect your bite and chewing. After tooth extraction, our team will recommend the following replacement options:
| • | Dental Bridge - As the name suggests, a dental bridge merges the gaps created by missing teeth. Our team will anchor dental bridges to your natural teeth close to the gap. We will then fit a crown for stability and attach artificial teeth to the abutments to fill the gap left by your missing teeth. |
| • | Dental Implant - These provide an excellent solution following a tooth extraction as they also replace the roots of the extracted tooth. This way, you are safe from bone resorption after tooth extraction. Placing a dental implant starts with replacing your tooth’s root with metal screws that support the replacement tooth. We will then allow the implant to heal, after which you will return for dental crown placement. Dental implant benefits include a natural look and feel, zero involvement with adjacent teeth, and a permanent solution to missing teeth. |
Which is Better Between a Root Canal and Tooth Extraction?
Damaged and infected teeth are treatable through tooth extraction or a root canal procedure. A root canal procedure saves your natural tooth that is damaged, diseased, or has dead pulp. Your tooth pulp, the innermost layer of your tooth supplying blood, can become damaged out of a deep cavity or if you crack your tooth. Deep cavities and cracked teeth give way to bacteria in your pulp. The bacteria then cause infection, killing the pulp tissue if untreated. Therefore, a root canal is a conservative treatment in which we will remove the damaged tissue and nerves inside your tooth. We will then fill your remaining tooth structure with special material to restore its functionality.
If, after examination, we find that your tooth cavity has compromised your tooth structure such that repair through a root canal is impossible, we will consider tooth extraction. A tooth with a severe fracture or a crack deep below the gum line is also a candidate for extraction. Tooth extraction deals with your tooth problem by removing the tooth, infected tissues, and nerve responsible for the pain. Based on the above, a root canal is a better option to treat an infected tooth. However, this is subject to the state of your tooth, and our team will examine and advise accordingly.
Reach Out to Us for Help with Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is the last resort following tooth decay or injury. Our team will examine your tooth to establish if they can save it through other restorative options like a dental filling, bridge, or root canal. If this is impossible, we will resolve to extraction. The procedure can be simple or surgical, depending on the state of your tooth, but we will administer anesthesia to ensure your comfort.
After tooth extraction, consider restorative treatments such as dental bridges, crowns, and implants. The benefits of dental implants outweigh most restorative treatments, hence worth considering. If you have tooth decay or a cavity, reach out to us at Cooley Smiles through (425) 216-3367, and we will discuss the options with you.
