Extractions

What are extractions?

A tooth extraction is a common dental procedure to remove a permanent or baby tooth. Though permanent teeth are meant to last for the rest of your life, sometimes pulling a tooth can actually improve your oral health and comfort.

When are extractions necessary?

Common reasons your dentist at Laser Dental Group may recommend a tooth extraction include:

Crowded mouth

If you have too many teeth in your mouth (hyperdontia) due to a congenital issue, your dentist may need to pull the extra teeth to prepare for orthodontic treatment. This step makes aligning your smile and bite easier.

In some cases, your mouth doesn’t have enough room for a tooth to erupt, so it gets trapped beneath your gums. To prevent complications, your dentist may extract a tooth.

Tooth decay

Sometimes, tooth decay is too severe to treat with fillings, crowns, and other tooth-saving treatments. Removing the affected tooth may be necessary to avoid further damage. Once your dentist removes the affected tooth, the team can recommend restorations, such as a dental bridge or implants.

Impacted wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. They’re the last molars to arrive in the very back of your mouth.

If your mouth doesn’t have enough room to support them, it’s common for wisdom teeth to partially erupt, grow sideways, or become stuck beneath your gums. In these cases, Laser Dental Group typically recommends a wisdom tooth extraction.

Infection

If decay or damage reaches the soft center of your tooth, called the pulp, it can cause severe pain and discomfort. To prevent the infection from spreading, dentists typically recommend root canal therapy. Sometimes, however, the damage is too severe to treat and an extraction is needed.

Are there different types of extractions?

There are two main types of tooth extractions:

Simple extraction

A simple extraction is a quick, relatively painless procedure that involves pulling a tooth that’s completely visible above the gum line. Because the tooth is visible, your dentist can extract it.

Once your dentist pulls the affected tooth, the team cleans and disinfects the area before packing it with gauze. Simple extractions cause minimal bleeding and pain, and over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatories can help reduce any swelling.

Surgical extraction

Surgical extractions are recommended for impacted wisdom teeth and teeth trapped beneath the gum line. During a surgical extraction, your dentist administers local anesthesia before making an incision in your gums. Next, they use small dental instruments to carefully remove the affected tooth.

Laser Dental Group also offers laser dental treatments to perform surgical extractions. With a targeted beam of light, your dentist can cut through gum tissue to extract the tooth and close the opening without sutures. Compared to traditional oral surgery, laser dentistry results in faster healing, less bleeding, and reduced pain.

To learn more about tooth extractions, call Laser Dental Group or schedule an appointment online today.