Tooth Extraction

What is a tooth extraction?

A tooth extraction is a procedure in which your dentist removes your decayed or damaged tooth. Extractions are rarely the first course of action for teeth that need treatment. Unfortunately, once an infection, decay, or injury spreads through the deepest layers of a tooth, it poses a serious risk to your oral health.

At Trinity Dental Care, a tooth extraction can relieve your pain, restore your bite, and protect your teeth from additional damage.

What happens during a tooth extraction?

There are two types of tooth extractions that the team performs at Trinity Dental Care:

Simple extraction

A simple extraction is a relatively straightforward procedure. The team may recommend a simple extraction if the crown portion of your affected tooth is entirely visible above the gum line. During this procedure, the team uses a special dental tool called an elevator to gently loosen your tooth. Then, they pull it out from the crown through the root.

Surgical extraction

If your tooth hasn’t fully broken through the gum line, the team needs to perform a surgical extraction to remove it. Surgical extractions are common for impacted wisdom teeth. During this procedure, the team makes a small incision in your gums. Then, they extract the trapped tooth with small dental instruments.

A surgical extraction is a more complex treatment than a simple extraction. The team may remove small portions of bone and tissue to remove the entire tooth. In some cases, an impacted tooth is broken, so the team must carefully extract it in pieces. Once they complete the procedure, the team sutures your incision to prevent infection.

Why would I need a tooth extraction?

Tooth extractions are necessary when your tooth is too damaged to treat with less invasive procedures, like a root canal. The team may recommend a tooth extraction to relieve pain and discomfort from:

• Impacted wisdom teeth
• Severely decayed teeth
• A tooth infection
• An injured tooth
• Crowded teeth

An extraction can also help prepare your mouth for orthodontic treatments, such as braces.

What happens after a tooth extraction?

Trinity Dental Care offers nitrous oxide and oral sedation for tooth extractions, so you may need to coordinate a ride home after your procedure. Immediately after removing your tooth and closing your incision, the team packs your mouth with gauze. You should change this gauze after about 45 minutes to allow a blood clot to form.

After 24 hours, you should be able to brush and floss your teeth. Take special care not to brush near the extraction site. If you experience pain or swelling after your procedure, an anti-inflammatory pain reliever can help alleviate your discomfort.

To learn more about tooth extractions, call Trinity Dental Care or request an appointment online today.