Extract that tooth! No pain is always a gain!
A tooth extraction involves the removal of a tooth that is badly decayed or damaged, and it is unable to be repaired or restored.
Why would a tooth need extracting
Below you will find a few of many reasons why a tooth needs extracting.
- There is severe tooth decay and the tooth cannot be repaired or restored.
- An abscess has formed around the tooth and gums.
- The tooth needs to be removed to make space for Orthodontic treatment.
- There is severe pain caused by an infected tooth.
- You have impacted wisdom teeth.
- You have gum disease
- The bone is fractured
- There is food trapped within the tooth.
What Are The Different Types Of Tooth Extraction
There are two types of dental extraction procedures:
A Simple Tooth Extraction
This type of extraction involves a simple procedure which is done on the teeth that are visible in the mouth.
An X-ray is taken before the procedure. After the X-ray is taken, our dental team will make sure you are comfortable before they attempt to numb the affected area completely, until you have no feelings or pain in that area.
At Byron Family Dental, our gentle and friendly dentist uses an instrument called an ‘elevator’ to loosen up the tooth from the jaw bone.
Once the tooth is loose enough, the dentist then uses an instrument called a ‘forceps’ to help hold the tooth in place and remove it from the jaw.
After the extraction is complete, the dentist will clean and remove any pieces of infected tissue that could have been left behind during the extraction.
The dentist will then advise you on the steps that you would need to follow to ensure a full recovery after your tooth has been removed.
A Surgical Tooth Extraction
This type of extraction involves a more complicated procedure compared to the simple tooth extraction.
A surgical tooth extraction is required when people have damaged teeth that have broken off at the gum line, making them too difficult to remove with just an elevator and forceps.
Patients who have teeth that have not grown properly or not yet erupted, also require a surgical tooth extraction.
This type of extraction must be performed by a dental surgeon or a dentist, who will make a small incision in the gum after a local anaesthesia is administered and the tooth is completely numbed. This is required in order to remove the tooth from within the gums and surrounding bone tissue with ease.
Recommended foods to eat after a dental extraction:
You may eat any food that is soft and that does not stick onto your teeth or damage the affected area, for example:
- Pasta
- Rice
- Ice-cream
- mash potatoes
- soup
- yogurt
What are the advantages of a tooth extraction
- It can prevent the spread of tooth decay and infection.
- Extracting your tooth can help with overcrowding problems.
- Removing a tooth can relieve you of the pain caused by an infected tooth.
What are the disadvantages of a tooth extraction
- In some rare cases, there could be some pain and swelling after a tooth has been extracted. This could be treated with an ice pack.
During the process of a tooth extraction, root fragments may sink into sinus cavity which could lead to infection, however, the chances of this occurring is very minimal and can be prevented by removing the root tip in time.
FAQs
Yes, you may eat after a tooth extraction procedure but it is important to remember that you will need to stick to foods that are soft. You should also opt for foods that won’t stick to your teeth or damage the affected area while it heals. Some examples of foods that you may eat while you recover from an extraction include soft pasta, rice, ice cream, mashed potatoes, soup and yoghurt. Avoid any snacks that require a lot of chewing as these could cause pain and discomfort, as well as damage at the site of surgery.
In most cases of very severe decay, we will recommend that you have the affected tooth extracted. We will begin by thoroughly examining the tooth and if we are unable to repair or restore it, it will be necessary to perform a tooth extraction. Besides decay, some other common reasons for extractions include an abscess that has formed around the tooth and gums; severe pain caused by an infected tooth; severe gum disease; a fractured bone; and impacted wisdom teeth.
Before the procedure begins, you will have an X-ray taken to allow your dentist to view the affected tooth in detail. During a simple tooth extraction procedure, you will be given an anaesthetic before an instrument known as an ‘elevator’ is used to loosen the tooth from the jawbone. When the tooth is sufficiently loosened, forceps are used to hold and remove the tooth from the jawbone. Your dentist will clean the area and remove any remaining pieces of infected tissue. Any post-procedure care tips will be explained to you to ensure that you enjoy a speedy and full recovery following the treatment.
Extractions | NSW
Has your tooth become so decayed that it is impossible to save? Our dental professionals can help you! Please book an appointment with our gentle dental team at Byron Family Dental today!