There are many reasons a dental extraction may be necessary. Your dentist will talk with you about why a teeth needs to be pulled and what your options are. Read more to learn more about dental extractions and why they may be necessary.

Reasons

Reasons for an extraction include but are not limited to gum disease, infection or risk of infection and a crowded mouth. However, the most common reason to have a tooth pulled is because it is damaged beyond repair, due to either decay or trauma. Crowded mouths are also very common, especially before orthodontic work starts. In some cases, teeth may be pulled so surrounding teeth have plenty of room to move and straighten. Adults typically find they have a crowded mouth as their wisdom teeth erupt from the gums. Most adults can get two to three of their wisdom teeth in with no trouble, but the others have no room for them to come in.

Before Extraction

Oral surgeons and dentists typically handle dental extractions, so you are unlikely to need a specialist. Dentists prefer working with a clean mouth, so extractions are usually scheduled after a cleaning and checkup. Once you are called into the office, you’ll be injected with a local anesthetic that helps numb the area so you feel no pain. In some cases, a general anesthetic must be used, especially if the tooth is impacted or multiple teeth are being removed.

During

Impacted teeth usually require more work, so your dentist may need to cut away bone or gum tissue that is currently covering the tooth. They will then use forceps to hold the tooth, rocking it back and forth to help loosen it without causing damage to the ligaments and jawbone. Sometimes because of decay, the tooth is removed in multiple pieces.

After

After the tooth is removed from your mouth, a blood clot will form in the area where the tooth was. However, to help stop the flow of blood and to help the lump form, the space is packed with gauze by the dentist. Though not a frequent occurrence, the dentist may put in a few self-dissolving stitches to help close the gums and help the healing process. You will receive orders and recommendations from your dentist on how to proceed over the next few days, including brushing, eating and drinking. It is in your best interest to follow the dentist’s recommendations.

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