Tooth Extraction

Sometimes it is impossible to restore a damaged tooth; it is broken, cracked or badly decayed to the point that nothing else can be done to save it. Sometimes a root canal treatment is needed, but for some reason the procedure cannot be done. Periodontal disease can also damage the teeth to the point where restoration is not possible. Some teeth, like wisdom teeth, are not properly positioned in the mouth and are just a cause of irritation. Furthermore, they can be in a position that do not have much use but may in turn become problematic in the future. In these cases extraction is the best available option. Extraction might be necessary in some orthodontic treatments as well.

At United Dental Care, we make sure extraction is really necessary and no root canal treatment, or any other treatment, can save the tooth before we proceed to extraction. Each tooth has its own functions and is essential for the total oral health. Removing a tooth has great impacts on the teeth surrounding it; they might shift, which changes the alignment of the teeth and might be a risk to dental health, they can cause chewing problems or even malfunctions in the jaw joints. In most cases you can replace the missing tooth by an artificial one.

Before extraction an X-ray of the tooth is taken. A root canal treatment might be necessary to remove any source of infection. If needed, an antibiotic is prescribed before and after the extraction. Sometimes the dentist just has to loosen the tooth to extract it. That is usually possible only on the teeth that are easily seen in the mouth. Other times, when the tooth is not in clear view, a surgical extraction might be needed. In that case an incision is made in the gum to reach the tooth. Sometimes the tooth needs to be broken into several pieces and then removed.

You will have to bite on gauze after the procedure to keep pressure on the incision and stop the bleeding. Minimal bleeding is expected in the next few days after the procedure. Also, there will be swelling depending on the extent of the surgery. Make sure you keep the area of the surgery clean. You may take painkiller if needed.