A dentist, may extract a tooth when the situation is more complicated. In many cases, they do wisdom teeth extractions.
The dentist will begin numbing the area around the tooth first to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure. While a tooth extraction may still be unpleasant, it is used to relieve dental pain and prevent future problems.
In this article, we outline the different types of tooth extractions and why you might need one. We also describe pre-extraction preparation and post-extraction care.
What is A Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from it’s root.
Dentists and oral surgeons remove teeth for various reasons. Some examples include:
- Dental Cavities
- Gum Disease
- Dental Infections
- Trauma or injury to the tooth or surrounding bone
- Wisdom Teeth Complications
- Preparation for a dental prosthesis (eg. dental implant)
- Preparation for dental braces
- Baby teeth not falling out at the correct age
Types of Tooth Extractions
The type of tooth extraction depends on the tooth’s shape, size, position, and location in the mouth. Dentist may classify extractions as simple or surgical.
A simple extraction involves a tooth that is visible above the gums and that a dentist can remove in one piece.
A surgical extraction is more complicated and involves the removal of gum tissue, bone, or both. The Dentist may need to remove the tooth in pieces.
Wisdom teeth Extractions are the last type of teeth to erupt and usually the first to require extraction because for most individuals, they are impacted. This means that they have not fully emerged from the gums. Wisdom teeth extraction is a common procedure in oral surgery.
Please make an appointment for Wisdom Teeth Extraction in Langley
Preparation for Extractions
You will have a consultation with your dentist prior to the extraction. During the consultation, the doctor will ask for a thorough medical history. They will also ask about any medications that you may be taking. Some people need to stop or start taking certain medications in the days leading up to the surgery, depending on the amount of teeth, bone, or both to be removed. You may also receive certain medications on the day of the surgery.
The key here is to follow the outlined instructions given to you by your provider which may include starting or stopping certain medications.
Stopping Blood Thinners
Many people take blood thinning medication for various health conditions. These medications can lead to more bleeding during surgery. That is why it is usually recommended to stop these medications. However, a provider can usually control bleeding at the site of the extraction by:
- Using topical clotting medications on the gums
- Packing the tooth socket with foam or dissolvable gauze
- Stitching the extraction site post extraction
Using gauze and applying pressure after the procedure can also help stop bleeding. However, anyone who takes blood thinners should let their dentist know during the consultation. In order to tell whether the person should temporarily switch to a different blood thinner or stop taking this type of medication, the dentist may need to consult the family doctor. Anyone considering stopping blood thinning medications should consult their physician first.
Starting Antibiotics
In a few circumstances, a dentist may prescribe antibiotics before a tooth extraction. For example, they may do so to treat dental infections with widespread symptoms, such as a fever or malaise, along with local oral swelling. Toothaches without swelling do not require antibiotics. Always take antibiotics as prescribed by a doctor.
A person may need antibiotics if they have a high risk of infective endocarditis, an infection of the heart valves or the interior lining of the heart chambers.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), people with certain heart conditions have an increased risk of developing infection following dental surgery. The AHA and American Dental Association recommend, therefore, that people with any of the following require antibiotics prior to dental surgery to reduce the risk of infection:
- Prosthetic cardiac valve
- History of cardiac valve repair with prosthetic material
- Cardiac transplant with structural abnormalities of the valve
- Certain congenital heart abnormalities
- History of infective endocarditis
Anesthesia during surgery
You will typically receive local anesthetic close to the site of the extraction. This will numb the area so that you do not feel pain and are comfortable during the procedure. The numbness will continue for a few hours after the surgery.
A person can request additional anesthetic or sedative medication to minimize anxiety during the procedure. The dentist may offer:
- Nitrous Oxide, also known as laughing gas
- Oral Sedative Medication
- Intravenous (IV) Sedation