It can be frightening and nerve-wracking to have a tooth extraction. However, did you know that tooth extraction is a fairly common dental procedure? A dentist performs a tooth extraction as an outpatient procedure. Pulling teeth (complete removal of a tooth from its socket in the jaw bone) may be necessary in some cases to maintain or improve your dental health.
Why is a tooth extraction necessary?
Tooth extraction may be required due to severe tooth decay, infection, or crowding. When getting braces, one or two teeth may need to be removed to make room for the other teeth as they shift into place. Tooth extraction is a relatively quick outpatient procedure that can be done under local, general, intravenous, or a combination of anesthesia by a dentist or oral surgeon. Extraction of visible teeth is a simple procedure. An extensive procedure is required for teeth that are broken, below the surface or impacted.
What are the reasons for tooth extraction?
Tooth extraction may be necessary for a variety of reasons. A common reason is that a tooth is too badly damaged to be repaired due to trauma or decay. Other reasons include:
- Crowded mouth – Dentists may pull teeth to prepare the mouth for orthodontic treatment. The goal of orthodontia is to align your teeth properly, which may be difficult if your teeth are too large for your mouth. Similarly, if a tooth cannot break through the gum (erupt) due to a lack of space in the mouth, your dentist may advise pulling it.
- Infection – If tooth decay or damage reaches the pulp, the soft tissue in the center of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels, bacteria from the mouth can enter the pulp and cause infection. Root canal therapy (RCT) can often correct this, but antibiotic extraction may be required to prevent infection spread if the infection is severe enough.
- Risk of infection – Even the risk of infection in a particular tooth may be reason enough to pull the tooth if your immune system is compromised (for example, if you are receiving chemotherapy or having an organ transplant). If periodontal disease (infection of the tissues and bones surrounding and supporting the teeth) has resulted in tooth loosening, the tooth or teeth may need to be extracted.
Although tooth extractions are usually painless, they can introduce harmful bacteria into the bloodstream. Gum tissue can also become infected. You may need to take antibiotics before and after the extraction if you have a condition that puts you at high risk of developing a serious infection. Before having a tooth pulled, tell your dentist about your entire medical history, medications and supplements you’re taking, and if you have any.
To ensure quality treatment on the day of the tooth extraction, keep the following in mind:
- Wear a short-sleeved shirt or loose-fitting clothing if you’ll be receiving intravenous (IV) anesthesia, and don’t eat or drink for six to eight hours before your appointment.
- Don’t smoke before you start.
- If you have a cold, inform your dentist, as you may need to reschedule your appointment.
- If you had nausea or vomiting the night before, your dentist may need to change your anesthesia or reschedule your appointment.
- Have someone with you to drive you home if you have general anesthesia.
With Design Dentistry, your trusted dentist in Edmonton, our team believes in delivering a smile on your budget. Our goal is to make dental care accessible to everyone, whether you need a complex dental procedure or want to enhance the appearance of your smile. Call us today at (780) 484-8138 to book an appointment or learn more about our teeth whitening treatment options.
