A lot of people are terrified of losing teeth or ever having them removed. However, tooth extraction is far less painful than most people think thanks to advancements in modern medicine and the skill of our Shelby Township, MI, dentists.
Here’s what you should know about and when it’s necessary.
Tooth Extraction Process
Believe it or not, the majority of are routine. Some can take longer (like wisdom teeth removal), but most extractions are straightforward. Before the actual extraction begins, however, we’ll take a dental X-ray of the tooth/jaw if it hasn’t already been done.
After that, our dentists will:
- Numb the tooth and surrounding area.
- Loosen the tooth using a dental elevator and widen the socket.
- Use dental forceps to carefully remove the tooth.
- Rinse out the empty socket with a saline solution.
- The purpose of this step is to flush out any remaining tooth tissue or bone fragments.
- Ensure a blood clot is forming to prevent dry socket.
- Dry socket is a painful condition where the nerves are vulnerable to bacteria and other irritants.
Other Reasons for Tooth Extraction
Outside of general tooth decay and gum disease, there are other reasons why someone would need to have teeth pulled. For example, someone preparing for orthodontic treatment may require a tooth extraction to make room and reduce crowding.
Also, someone going through chemotherapy/radiation therapy may have a tooth become infected. You may experience other oral problems depending on your specific treatment plan and how your body reacts. Be sure to let your primary care doctor and our dentists know what you’re feeling so we can help.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
One of the more common and well-known reasons for tooth extraction is . Your wisdom teeth are your third and last molars, the backmost teeth, that erupt in your late teens to early twenties. However, some people never have them erupt and therefore, don’t have to have them removed at all.
For those that do require wisdom teeth extraction, the process is as follows:
- The extraction site is properly numbed so you feel no pain.
- If the tooth isn’t already exposed, an incision in the gums is made to reveal it and the surrounding bone.
- Any bone covering the tooth root is removed.
- The tooth is extracted.
- The area is cleaned to clear any lingering bone/tooth tissue.
- If you need stitches, they’ll be applied after the cleaning.
- Gauze is inserted into the open socket and/or over top of it to soak up some of the blood and aid in clotting.
Need an Appointment?
If you need a tooth removed, our , are ready to help. Dr. Baker and Dr. Castille has years of experience dealing with tooth extraction so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands. Problematic teeth shouldn’t be ignored or you risk complications down the road. Request an appointment today and call the dental office of Jeffrey T. Baker DDS PC at (586) 992-9222.
This blog post has been updated.
