Tooth Extraction
Why would I need an extraction?
Even though permanent teeth are made to last your lifetime, it doesn't always happen. For instance, you could need a tooth extracted because it's too cracked or chipped to repair. Trauma, decay, and lifestyle may all contribute to needing a tooth pulled.
Our doctor may recommend an extraction if you're dealing with one of the following situations:
Risk of infection from a failed root canal
Risk of infection during an organ transplant or chemotherapy
Severe gum (periodontal) disease
Crowded or extra teeth
No room for third molars (wisdom teeth)
What is the procedure for extraction?
There are two types of extractions: a simple extraction and a surgical extraction. Simple extractions are reserved for teeth that can be seen above the gum line. During this procedure, our doctor will first loosen the tooth with an instrument called an elevator. He will then use forceps to remove the tooth.
A surgical extraction is a bit more complicated. The tooth may have been broken off at your gum line, or it hasn’t yet come through the surface of your gums, as is typical with wisdom teeth. To perform a surgical extraction, our doctor will need to make a small cut in your gum to lift the tooth out. Sometimes the tooth needs to be sectioned, or cut into smaller pieces, to be removed. It may also be necessary to remove some of the bone around the affected tooth.
Our doctor gives you a local anesthetic before both a surgical extraction and simple extraction, so you don’t feel any pain. If multiple teeth are extracted at the same time, as is typical with wisdom teeth extraction, our doctor may give you a general anesthetic. You'll sleep and be pain-free throughout the whole procedure.
How soon can I expect to heal from a tooth extraction?
Depending on how many teeth you had extracted and your specific circumstances, the first stages of the healing process usually occur within one or two weeks. New bone and gum tissue grow in the spaces where your teeth used to be. You may encounter difficulty chewing or general aches and pains on your way to recovery, based on the invasiveness of your dental procedure.
Every patient is different, so contact Steelecroft Dental to book a consultation so you can discover your options plus any necessary post-procedure treatments such as crowns or dental implants.
Contact Steelecroft Dental by phone or make an appointment online using the booking tool.