Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket
in the bone. It is removed If a tooth has been damaged by
decay or a fracture and cannot be repaired or restored.
The other reasons for tooth extraction
are:
- If you are provided with extra teeth that blocks other
teeth from coming in. Also special orthodontic treatments
may need teeth extracted to create room for the teeth that
are being moved into place.
- People receiving radiation or chemotherapy may develop
infected teeth as the weakened t immune system increases
the risk of infection.
- Also an organ transplant may need some teeth extracted
to avoid the risk of infection after the transplant, when
immunosuppressive medications are given.
- Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are generally
extracted either before or after they come in. They are
removed if they are decayed or cause pain. Also they can
irritate the gum, causing pain and swelling, which requires
the tooth to be removed.
Preparation
- A record of your medical and dental histories is taken
- An X-ray of the area is done to help plan the best way
to remove the tooth.
- Prescription of antibiotics to be taken before and after
surgery is given,
Procedure for extraction. There
are two types of extractions:
- A simple extraction which is performed on a tooth that
can be seen in the mouth. It can be done under a local anesthetic,
with or without anti-anxiety drugs.
- A surgical extraction involves teeth that cannot be seen
easily in the mouth, either because they have broken off
at the gum line or because they have not come in yet. Another
reason for a surgical extraction is that the tooth to be
removed requires a flap be cut in the gum for access to
remove bone or a section of the tooth They can be done with
local anesthesia or conscious sedation.
Risks
A common complication called a dry socket occurs
when a blood clot doesn't form in the hole or the blood clot
prematurely breaks off or breaks down. In a dry socket, the
underlying bone is exposed to air and food. This can be very
painful and can cause a bad odor or taste. It is treated with
a medicated dressing to stop the pain and encourage the area
to heal.
Other potential complications include:
- Accidental damage to adjacent teeth, such as fracture
- An incomplete extraction, in which a tooth root remains
in the jaw -A fractured jaw caused by the pressure put on
the jaw during extraction
- Sustained numbness in the lower lip and chin, caused by
trauma to the inferior alveolar nerve (during removal of
the lower wisdom teeth). Complete healing of the nerve may
take three to six months. In rare cases, the numbness, although
not disfiguring, may be permanent.
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