Tooth extraction is a highly common procedure and is mostly needed in adulthood. The damaged or decayed tooth is pulled out with the help of forceps from the dental alveolus. There are many factors that give rise to the need for a tooth extraction, such as tooth decay, tooth damage, overcrowded teeth, extremely loose tooth, tooth not exploding through the gum, baby teeth not falling within the expected time, and influenced wisdom teeth. The procedure of tooth extractions is performed in two ways. Herein, we briefly describe how they are done.
Simple extractions
Simple tooth extraction can be performed very easily and the dentist will administer local anesthesia so that the area in which you can get the procedure done is numb to any form of pain. The anesthesia will cause numbness in the area of the mouth so that you will not feel any pain during the extraction procedure. This is a very simple process and it can be seen in the mouth. During this procedure, the dentist will then loosen up your affected tooth with the utilization of an instrument called an elevator. When the instrument will loosen the tooth, then the dentist will eliminate the tooth with the help of forceps.
Surgical extractions
Another way of tooth extraction is surgical extraction. This method is mostly utilized when your tooth is impacted or broken off at the gum line. This procedure is a difficult one and will take some time to complete. In this type of tooth extraction, the dentist will make an incision in the gum and bone tissue, which is covering the tooth. Then, he or she will hold the tooth with forceps and start moving the tooth back and forth gently so that the tooth will get loosened up from the jawbone and ligaments. They are the main structures that hold the tooth in its place. It is also possible that the surgeon will break the tooth in several pieces if the tooth is big enough or hard enough to pull out. When the tooth has been eliminated, the blood clot will be formed in the socket. To stop the bleeding, the surgeon will place a gauze pack into that socket. Sometimes, there will be a need for stitching on that incision to close the edges of the gum. There is also a possibility of the bone being exposed through the socket. This type of condition is very painful and it is known as dry socket. To protect this bone, the dentist will cover it with a sedative dressing for some days until the new clot is formed.
Most people who have gone through this procedure will recover in a few days after the extraction. There are certain precautions that you have to take during the recovery period, like an application of ice pack, regular intake of prescribed medications, rest, avoiding tobacco, and gargling with warm salt water daily.
