As the saying goes, “Whenever possible, your dentist will make every effort to save even a portion of your natural tooth structure." Unfortunately, severe cases of breakage, decay, or infection can leave a tooth beyond repair and, in the interest of short and long-term relief and oral health, require extraction.
Today, we’re looking at dental extractions, why they’re necessary, the procedure, and their role in promoting long-term oral health.
What Is Tooth Extraction and When Is It Required?
A dental extraction is the surgical removal of irreparably damaged teeth. A variety of reasons can necessitate a dental extraction. The most common include:
- Impacted wisdom teeth (or “third molars”)
- Severe tooth decay
- Advanced gum disease
- Oral infection due to untreated breakage or untreated decay
- To create space for orthodontics or dentures
The Dental Extraction Process
The dental extraction process involves several specific steps, specialized equipment, and techniques to ensure an effective and pain-free procedure. Here is a start-to-finish breakdown:
- Consultation and evaluation — First, a dental professional assesses the tooth through visual observation and x-rays to determine whether extraction is necessary.
- Anesthesia — Just before the procedure, the dentist administers a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort. Rarely — in particularly complex cases or when a patient is especially anxious — full sedation may be suggested.
- Extraction — Using specialized tools, your dentist gently and gradually loosens the tooth from its socket in the jaw until it can easily be removed. In some cases, teeth are removed in smaller segments.
- Stitches — Once the extraction is complete, the wound in the gums is stitched closed. Sometimes, the stitches require removal by a dentist, though they may also simply dissolve during the healing process.
After extraction, your dentist will provide detailed aftercare instructions for the extraction site. These typically include avoiding spicy, hard, or jagged foods, along with techniques for managing pain and swelling.
Caring, Pain-Free Dental Extractions in Burnaby BC
If you’re in Barnaby and looking for an experienced dental care team to guide you through the entire dental extraction process, from consultation through aftercare, contact Dr. Roger Chan and the caring and knowledgeable Central Park Dental Clinic team to schedule a consultation!