Tooth Extractions 101: Everything You Should Know

Tooth extraction is one of the most common dental treatment procedures. It has, for many years now, been a solution for patients with very problematic and extremely damaged teeth.

What is Tooth Extraction? 

It is the process of medically removing a tooth from its root. The dental procedure is mostly performed on adult teeth. Even though permanent teeth were built to last forever, it is not always the case. There is more than one reason why adults require tooth extractions in Baltimore for one or more of their teeth.

Reasons for Tooth Extractions 

It is not every day that dentists in Baltimore prescribe tooth extractions for patients. Several situations require this treatment, but not all of them. Among the many dental reasons that call for tooth extraction near me include the following:

• Tooth decay – extreme tooth decays result is badly damaged teeth. The effects of such a tooth are many, including, bad breathe, swelling, severe toothache, headache, to mention a few. When you allow a cavity to advance into extreme tooth decay, very little can be done to save your natural tooth. In most cases, a dentist in Baltimore MD will observe the state of your teeth to decide which dental treatment works best for you in some cases, your dentist may recommend a root canal therapy. However, extreme cases of tooth decay can only be treated through removal. It is the main reason why most patients have their teeth removed.
• Misshapen teeth – in orthodontic treatment, it is uncommon for teeth to be removed. A dentist near you will recommend the removal of a misshapen tooth, particularly if it a wisdom tooth, a molar or premolar. When teeth grow unusually, it can get stuck beneath the gum tissue, or grow toward adjacent teeth. The teeth stick underneath teeth can be painful, not to mention cause problems for other teeth. In Orthodontics, an orthodontist cannot correct the alignment of teeth unless he/she can address how all the teeth in the mouth sit.
• Crowded mouth – it happens when the mouth seems to be too small to accommodate all the 32 teeth. In such cases, some teeth overlap on others, introducing other oral problems, more so, plaque build-up. A dentist will suggest removal or a tooth or two on the affected arc of the mouth. This creates room for the rest of the teeth to fit properly.
• Risk of infection – even when a tooth has not decayed, the risk of infection becomes a cause of tooth extraction Baltimore. Potentially, trauma and health problems like periodontitis can pose risk to the health of a tooth, not to mention, the overall health. Some medications like chemotherapy can also impose the risk of infection on a tooth. For such reasons, a tooth extraction procedure might be required to safeguard the health of a tooth and that of the patient.

What to Expect With Tooth Extraction

The process of extracting a permanent tooth is not an easy one. It calls for meticulous works and a steady hand. Technically, the tooth has to be removed from the root. A mature adult tooth does not easily shake from its root unless it is properly done. Some of the things to expect from the process include the following:

• Local anesthesia – the process involves surgical intervention. This means that some pain and discomfort might be experienced during the process. The anesthesia will be used to help numb the area to help reduce pain and discomfort.
• Incision – your dentist or oral surgeon will cut open part of your gum tissue, as well as the bone tissue. It is mostly for teeth that have been impacted. The Incision will allow the dentist to see the inside of the tooth for better removal.
• The rocking of the tooth – the affected tooth is rocked back and forth to loosen it from its root. It is then removed by detaching it from its socket.
• Small pieces – for stubborn teeth, the dentist or oral surgeon has to come up with a strategy for removing it. Usually, it is broken down into small pieces then removed bit by bit.
• Closing the incision – the opening that was made in the gum tissue is sewn back together to facilitate healing and prevent bleeding and infection.