Dental Extraction and Why It's Beneficial

Dental Extraction and Why It's Beneficial

Oct 01, 2021

Tooth extraction is a standard procedure in a dental office or clinic. Old age, cavities, trauma, and periodontitis are key reasons to for loss of teeth. If you have a diseased tooth and the dentist has recommended extraction, then it’s time to prepare for the procedure.

What is Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction is the act of removing or extracting a tooth from the socket. Depending on the condition and location of your tooth, you can undergo one of the following types of dental extraction procedures:

Simple Extraction – This procedure is suitable for a patient whose affected teeth are still visible or easy to pull out of the socket. For this procedure, the dentist begins by numbing the area of extraction. The tooth is loosened with a dental elevator and pulled out using a pair of forceps.

Surgical Extraction – A more complex method of extraction used to extract a diseased tooth that isn’t visible or can’t be pulled out of the gums easily. For this procedure, the dentist begins by numbing the area to prevent pain. The dentist then makes an incision through the gums to get to the tooth. If necessary, the dentist may have to break the tooth into pieces for easier extraction.

Surgical extraction treatments are more complex than a simple extraction, and they may take longer to heal. Simple extraction care and recovery are easy and quick. Regardless of the type of extraction, you’ll be injected with an anesthetic. Therefore, you won’t feel pain or discomfort during the procedure. However, after the anesthetic wears off, minimal discomfort and pain (surgical extraction) is expected.

5 Benefits of Tooth Extraction

Are you wondering why your dentist may recommend getting a tooth extraction instead of saving your tooth? While it may not seem like it, sometimes the benefits of extracting a tooth surpass those of keeping it. Here is how you can benefit from a tooth extraction:

  • To Restore Your Comfort

An infected tooth can be challenging and uncomfortable to deal with. Depending on the type of damage you have, you may have to deal with persistent toothaches, sensitivity, bleeding, or swelling. Even worse, a diseased tooth can make it difficult to chew and speak normally, affecting the quality of your life. Removing this tooth will eliminate the source of your pain and discomfort, restoring your comfort and allowing you to live a normal lifestyle.

  • Addressing the Underlying Problem

If a tooth is severely infected, injured, or diseased, it may be difficult or impossible to treat. You may have to undergo multiple complex dental procedures to treat this tooth, which still may not ultimately save the tooth. Instead of prolonging your discomfort and undergoing multiple treatments, the most effective remedy would be to extract the tooth.

  • Protect the Rest of the Teeth

It’s very easy for decay and infection to spread from one tooth to another. Instead of risking your entire smile, removing the damaged tooth will prevent the problem from spreading to your neighboring healthy teeth, bone, and surrounding tissues.

  • Saves You Money

Dealing with a damaged tooth can be an expensive thing to do. You may have to invest in special dental products or undergo multiple treatments. The cost of extraction is way cheaper than that of saving a diseased tooth.

  • To Improve Your Smile

There are numerous motives for taking out a tooth besides damage. For instance, if your teeth are overcrowded, they may cause misalignment, affecting your smile. A simple solution to address overcrowding would be to extract a tooth, giving more room for other teeth to adjust into proper positions. Eventually, this results in a more beautiful smile.

What to Do After Teeth Extraction?

After a tooth extraction, regardless of the position of the removed tooth, replacement is recommended. If an empty socket is left for long, it may result in further complications. These include:

  • Jawbone deterioration
  • Facial sagging
  • Impaired ability to chew and speak properly
  • Shifting of the neighboring teeth
  • Poor oral hygiene and health

Depending on your underlying gums and bone condition, your dentist can replace a tooth immediately after extraction. In other cases, you must wait for the extraction area to heal before getting a replacement.

Common replacement or restoration options for extracted teeth include:

For best results, you should explore these restoration options with your dentist.

Schedule an Appointment

Do you need tooth extraction services, or do you have more questions about tooth extractions? Don’t hesitate to contact Wellesley Dental Arts today to book your appointment.

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