Dental procedures to remove teeth are carried out when retaining the teeth poses a risk to dental health.
Preserving and maintaining oral and dental health is the focus of dental medicine. Dentists assess the issue at hand, diagnose the problem and then provide different options to solve the dental concern.
Tooth extraction is warranted when that is the best option to save oral health. Your dentist will first conduct a thorough dental examination – this will include an X-ray to understand the exact nature of the issue. It is important that during the consultation all relevant information and medical history are shared with the dentist. This will help in developing the most suitable treatment plan.
Tooth extractions are conducted routinely in dental clinics, there are conducted skilfully and pretty much painlessly. There are simple extractions and surgical extractions – extractions under local anaesthesia and those than need a surgical procedure.
What are some reasons why tooth extraction may be required? Some common issues are discussed below.
A common reason for tooth extraction is decay in the tooth or cavity formation in the tooth. When teeth are not properly cleaned, food debris remains in the gaps in between the teeth. Bacteria act on food particles that are lodged between the teeth. They release an acid that acts on the protective covering of the teeth. The teeth get weakened and lose its structure and function. The decay in the teeth sets in and cavities are seen in the teeth. Decay can extend even to the root of the tooth.
If ignored, tooth decay spreads to neighbouring teeth also. Dentists suggest tooth extraction in these cases. The decayed portion of the teeth is removed with special tools and they are cemented. The tooth will not be lost, it can be saved from further damage. Pain and swelling will be felt on the teeth that have decay, ignoring similar signs will bring further damage. After the dental consultation, if the damage is extensive then dentists will suggest a tooth extraction. This will be conducted under anaesthesia and would need one or two stitches. Care must be taken after extraction for a few days for speedy healing.
Wisdom teeth are molars that are seen at the back of the mouth. They appear quite late after all the permanent teeth have appeared. Infection in the wisdom teeth is rather common as it is quite difficult to clean. Food debris can get stuck between the wisdom teeth and the back of the mouth. This area is quite difficult to clean with a brush and easy for bacteria to infect. Uncontrolled infection sets in and would need tooth extraction.
There is another condition called impacted wisdom teeth that will need extraction. The wisdom teeth will not erupt fully from its position, but gets stuck in the gums. This condition very easily attracts bacterial action and infection. The position of the impacted teeth itself speeds up infection and decay. When this is the case, dentists will remove the impacted teeth. A proper surgical procedure is needed as it involves cutting the jaw bone and removing the impacted teeth. Making sure oral health is not compromised is the sole purpose of this type of procedure.
Gum disease affects the gums and the bones that support the teeth. There are inflammation and reddening of the gum tissues. If it is only swelling in the soft gum tissues, it can be treated effectively but when severe, the whole gum and bone tissue will be affected. They would be unable to provide any support to the teeth and as a result the teeth would become loose. Spaces or small pockets can be seen in the areas surrounding the teeth, this would attract bacterial action and the condition will progress at an alarming rate. One of the reasons this disease condition goes unnoticed is because pain is not felt often and it goes unnoticed. Bleeding might be seen in some cases, but it gradually stops as the disease progresses. Plaque formation on the gum lining brings about this condition. When unchecked the whole tooth is lost. Initially, cleaning the teeth, will help but to help from the loss of other teeth, dentists will remove these affected teeth.
Overcrowding teeth are found in many people – face shape is altered with jutting jaws if there are ‘too many teeth’. Different types of treatments are available to help with this problem. The common one is using braces. In this, the teeth are made to align with the required position. If there are too many teeth, then there may not be enough space in the mouth for all the teeth. Dentists will then suggest removing a few teeth to get the desired appearance. When teeth are extracted, there will space available for the teeth to move and this will help correct the bite and also improve the alignment of the teeth. Extraction will not be needed for everyone, so it is decided only after dental consultations.
Accidents, falls or sports related injury can bring trauma to the oral region. Most of the injuries are mild ones such as chipped or broken teeth. But there are situations when teeth become dislodged due to the force of the accident. Dentists usually check during dental examinations using X-ray to know the extent of the damage. Some injury would be revealed only with X-rays. Saving the teeth is always the first option, but in situations where the teeth can bring disease conditions to the oral region, tooth extraction will be recommended. Compromising the oral and dental health is not allowed.
After tooth extractions, there may be some bleeding and pain in the area where the procedure is conducted. Dentists will guide you on the food to be consumed and other measures that need to be taken to fasten the healing process. If symptoms do not subside within the time frame suggested by the dentists, then expert guidance should be sought from dental clinics.
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