Tooth Extractions

Although the primary goal of all dental care is to preserve natural teeth, there are times when a tooth–or multiple teeth–needs to be pulled due to decay, trauma, disease, or developmental concerns. Dental extractions are procedures a dentist, specialist, or oral surgeon performs to remove an entire tooth from its socket and surrounding tissue.

Dental extractions are typically the last resort. Suppose that is the recommended course of action. In that case, it’s probably because removing the tooth is necessary to protect the patient’s overall health and facilitate the next steps required for proper treatment, healing, or development. If a tooth that needs to be removed is not, any decay or infection within it can spread to other teeth, oral tissue, and the jaw bone. The tooth will likely eventually fall out, leaving the mouth and remaining teeth susceptible to further infection and bone deterioration.

At Dental Depot Oklahoma, we know tooth extractions can be intimidating, no matter why they’re happening. If you need a tooth extracted, you can trust the caring, compassionate, and professional staff at Dental Depot Oklahoma to provide you with the information and resources to understand why you need the extraction as well as to explain what exactly will happen and how to make your recovery as successful as possible.

Conditions Requiring Tooth Extraction

There are several reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted, including the result of:

Decay or infection. The most common reason for tooth extraction is dental decay. If a tooth has become infected and has gone untreated for an extended period, or if minor decay like cavities has not been addressed, the decay and infection can spread, making the tooth unsalvageable.

Gum disease. When left untreated, periodontal (gum) disease is just as harmful to the tooth as a severe infection within the tooth itself. With the degeneration of the soft connective tissues, the ligaments and bone supporting the teeth become compromised, causing the tooth to loosen in the socket and exposing the tooth root to infection.

Failure to erupt. A tooth that is impacted–or has not erupted–is essentially stuck and unable to break through the gum because of overcrowding, being twisted at an odd angle, or because it has entangled or curved roots. Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are among the most common teeth that become impacted and require extraction because the jaw is not large enough to accommodate them.

Overcrowding. Tooth extraction may be necessary for a patient’s orthodontic plan, especially for baby or deciduous teeth. For some patients, removing one or more teeth will make metal braces or alignment trays more effective because additional space is provided to straighten the teeth and allow adult teeth to erupt and develop properly.

Trauma. Trauma or damage to areas of the teeth beneath the gum line can leave the tooth too compromised to save. Because the cracked or fractured portion of the tooth is not visible, it can’t be repaired with a dental crown and may require extraction.

Methods of Extraction

There are two types of extraction methods, surgical and simple. The type of extraction necessary depends on various factors, such as the size and location of the tooth and the extent of the damage or decay. Many dentists at Dental Depot Oklahoma can perform simple and certain types of surgical teeth extractions. Our staff includes other oral specialists and surgeons who can perform more complex extractions.

Simple Extraction. A simple extraction involves removing a tooth that is visibly exposed above the gum line and doesn’t require any connective or oral tissue to be cut.

Here’s what happens during a simple extraction:

Your dentist will gently administer local anesthesia by injecting it into the gums, quickly numbing the root of the tooth and any surrounding tissue.
Using an elevator or luxator (dental tools used to loosen the tooth out of the connective tissue) and forceps (a surgical or dental tool used to grasp the tooth strongly) the tooth is gently wiggled out of its socket and removed.
The socket is cleaned, and any debris or infection is gently removed.
Left empty from the extraction, the socket will then be sewn closed. Often, gauze is placed over the extraction site to manage and control any bleeding caused by the procedure.

Surgical extraction. A surgical extraction involves the removal of teeth that are not visible or accessible. The tooth may be hidden, broken, or fractured beneath the gum line, so the gum must be cut open to expose the tooth. Some surgical extractions require an oral surgeon using general anesthesia in a hospital setting. Others may be performed by a general dentist and require only local anesthesia combined with laughing gas.

In general, here is what happens during a surgical extraction:

To begin the procedure, a dentist or oral surgeon will administer the appropriate sedatives for the patient’s particular needs.
Your dentist or surgeon will make an incision into the gum line, exposing the tooth.
Using similar tools to a simple extraction, the dentist will separate the tooth from the connective tissue and gently loosen it from the jaw bone. Sometimes, the tooth must be fragmented or separated into smaller, more manageable sections to extract fully.
The remaining socket is thoroughly cleared of any debris or infected tissue.
The socket is sewn closed, and gauze is placed over it to control and absorb additional bleeding.

Regardless of the extraction method, speaking with your dentist about replacing the tooth or teeth as soon as possible is important. Leaving a gap in your teeth can cause other teeth to shift, putting your jaws out of alignment and causing the bone in your jaw to deteriorate.

Possible Side Effects Following Extraction

If a tooth requires extraction, it is usually necessary for the patient’s overall health. But it’s important to note that while removing the tooth may fix one problem, you’ll need to be aware of some common side effects of tooth extraction.

Dry socket. After the extraction, a blood clot generally forms in the empty socket. This provides a protective barrier for the exposed bone and nerve endings. If the clot fails to develop or is dislodged before the wound is healed, the result can be a painful dry socket that exposes the nerves and can compromise healing. Your dentist or oral surgeon will provide detailed instructions on caring for your extraction site and what to look for if there is a problem.

Misalignment. When new space is opened up in the mouth, it is normal for the remaining teeth to begin to shift. Occasionally, as in the case of orthodontic treatment, this is part of the intended result. In other situations, however, the gap could cause unintended realignment, affecting your bite, jaw function, and the integrity of your remaining natural teeth.

Safe, Affordable Tooth Extraction from Dental Depot Oklahoma

Though some tooth extractions are unavoidable, many more are preventable with good oral health and routine dental cleanings and checkups. During regular oral exams, the dentists and hygienists at Dental Depot Oklahoma can:

Remove the plaque and tartar buildup that causes cavities and gum disease
Identify and treat developing or existing areas of decay before they become bigger problems
Check for any signs of infection, damage, or deterioration in your teeth and gums
Apply preventative treatments like fluoride to help strengthen tooth enamel
Assess and develop a treatment plan for issues like alignment, overcrowding, and wisdom teeth

With comprehensive preventative and restorative dentistry from Dental Depot Oklahoma, everyone in your family can receive the quality, affordable services they need at multiple locations across the state, including OKC, Norman, and Tulsa, many with flexible hours and Saturday appointments.

At Dental Depot Oklahoma, we believe all Oklahomans deserve exceptional dental care at a commonsense price. Schedule your appointment today and discover your healthiest and most confident smile!