What Is a Tooth Extraction? An Inside Look at What It Is & Why It’s Done

Nobody wants to lose any of their teeth. We all would like to believe that we will have our entire set of teeth with us for life. Although our teeth are designed to withstand almost anything, there are times when teeth extractions in Brookline, MA, are necessary to ensure your oral health.

If all other options to save your teeth have been explored, our Oral Surgeon in Brookline, MA, may deem teeth extractions a necessary treatment.

What Is Tooth Extraction?

To put it simply, a tooth extraction near you is a dental procedure that deals with the removal of a tooth.

When Is Tooth Extraction Deemed Necessary?

Our Oral Surgeon in Brookline, MA, will examine your teeth to determine whether the procedure is necessary. If the situation warrants it, then you will be scheduled for a tooth extraction.

However, our Oral Surgeon near you typically only performs a tooth extraction as a last resort. Our priority is to salvage your natural teeth by all means. Teeth extractions in Brookline, MA, are only performed when your oral health depends on it.

Teeth extractions may be deemed necessary in the following scenarios:

• If you have teeth that have partially or not fully erupted (impacted teeth), as is the case with most wisdom teeth.
• If you have severe tooth damage because of tooth decay, in most scenarios, root canal therapy can be used to remove the infected pulp. However, if the infection cannot be stopped, then the only option will be to remove the tooth.
• If you have periodontitis, this disease affects the tissues and bones that hold your teeth. If it is not caught and treated early, the infection can spread to the bones. If it gets to this stage, then tooth extraction is inevitable.
• In cases where there is facial trauma and your tooth is severely damaged, then there is no other choice but to have the damaged tooth pulled.
• If you are scheduled for an orthodontic procedure and have overcrowded teeth, then some of the teeth will be extracted to aid the proper movement of the teeth.

How Is Tooth Extraction Performed?

During your initial visit, our Oral Surgeon will check the state of your teeth and take scans or X-rays. The images taken will help us decide which type of extraction is appropriate for you.

There are only two options:

• Simple Extraction

When our Oral Surgeon recommends a simple extraction, it means that the teeth that are to be extracted are damaged and visible. As mentioned earlier, all extractions are outpatient procedures. Therefore, you can expect it to end in approximately 30 minutes.

Our Oral Surgeon will start by administering local anesthesia to numb the area. This will ensure that you don’t feel pain. Then, we will use an elevator to pry loose your tooth. You might experience some pressure but not pain. After the tooth becomes loose, we will use forceps to remove it.

• Surgical Extraction

Surgical extractions are a bit more complex than simple extractions. They are performed when a tooth is not visible above the gum line (impacted teeth) or severely damaged. Anesthesia is administered at the onset of the procedure.

After it kicks in, an incision will be made to gain access to the tooth roots. Our Oral Surgeon will then remove the tooth. The procedure will take approximately 45 minutes.

Aftercare

A tooth extraction procedure may be fast, but your recovery will take some time. You need to adhere to our Oral Surgeon’s instructions so that you recover properly.

Some of the things that you should do are:

• Leave the gauze in for an hour after the extraction to aid in blood clotting
• Avoid drinking using straws since the suction can dislodge the clot
• Brush your teeth, but not the site to avoid infection
• Avoid smoking
• After 24 hours, use a salt solution to rinse your mouth
• Don’t physically exert yourself; try and rest for a couple of days
• Take the prescribed painkillers
• Don’t spit or rinse your mouth 24 hours after the procedure
• Prop your head while sleeping since lying flat can prolong the healing

Swelling and discomfort are common after the procedure. Five days after the extraction, you can expect the swelling to go down. If you need teeth extraction in Brookline, MA, contact our Oral Surgeon at Brookline Oral Surgery Group.