Tooth extraction
Tooth extraction is a common dental procedure involving the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. This procedure may be necessary for several reasons, including impacted teeth, severe tooth decay, or misalignment. Impacted teeth can press against adjacent teeth, potentially harming their health, while advanced decay may compromise a tooth's structure beyond repair, making extraction the best option. The process typically begins with the application of a local anesthetic to numb the area. A dentist or oral surgeon then loosens the tooth using specialized tools and removes it, often cleaning the socket afterward to ensure proper healing. For more complex extractions, such as those requiring surgical intervention, general anesthesia may be used, and sutures may be necessary. Post-extraction pain is common, usually peaking a few hours after the procedure, and patients are advised to manage discomfort with over-the-counter medications and cold compresses. Understanding these aspects can help individuals prepare for the possibility of tooth extraction and the care that follows.
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Subject Terms
Tooth extraction
Anatomy or system affected: Gums, mouth, teeth
Definition: The surgical removal of a tooth because it is damaged by decay, disease, or trauma; threatening the health of other teeth; or near the site of significant disease
Indications and Procedures
A tooth may have to be extracted for one of several reasons. Impaction is a condition in which a developing tooth is forced into an adjacent tooth, blocking its progress; the impacted tooth can threaten the health and proper alignment of nearby teeth if it is not extracted. The occurrence of crooked or misaligned teeth may also require surgical removal. In tooth decay, dental tissue weakens in a gradual process and can eventually be destroyed. Cavities usually begin in the outer layer of the tooth, penetrate to the underlying dentin, and kill the innermost tissue (pulp) of the tooth. Tooth extraction or a root canal becomes necessary if this process of decay cannot be halted. Root canals can save teeth that have infected pulp. However, if tooth decay or a severe fracture has compromised too much of a tooth's structure, extraction may be necessary.
The extraction of teeth is one of the most common procedures in dentistry. Dentists usually perform simple extractions, but they often refer patients needing more complicated procedures to oral surgeons.
In simple extractions, the dentist first applies a local anesthetic to numb the area surrounding the tooth that is to be pulled. Then, the dentist uses forceps and short levers to loosen the tooth in its socket. The tooth is removed in one piece by breaking the ligaments that hold the tooth in place. Once the tooth has been extracted, the dentist cleans the empty socket and ensures that the blood flowing from the socket is clotting properly. The socket is dressed to protect it and help it heal.
The oral surgeon may use a general anesthetic with a patient needing a complex extraction. The surgeon may need to cut through gum and bone to gain access to the tooth requiring extraction. The tooth may be cut into small pieces before it can be removed. Sutures may be required to close the wound.
The pain caused by extraction usually peaks a few hours after the procedure. Patients are advised to take over-the-counter pain medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen and are encouraged to keep their head elevated and to use an ice pack.
Bibliography
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