Any dental surgery will always aim to prevent a dental extraction if necessary. For teeth that are decayed, this usually includes the fitting of a crown, filling or, even in cases where teeth have abscesses, root canals. But there are some instances where extraction cannot be avoided, so your dentist Coorparoo will need to remove your teeth. In this article, dental extractions and aftercare are explored a bit deeper, and it touches on what you should expect if you have to undertake tooth removal. 

There are many reasons why you may need to have a dental extraction. As mentioned earlier, the leading reason why adults and children need to have teeth removed is extensive decay. In this case, your dental team will not be able to restore the tooth using a crown, filling or root canal, so they will need to remove it. This will usually be confirmed with an x-ray, which will show any damage to the tooth underneath the gum line. Teeth may also need to be removed due to braces or aligners. If you have overcrowded teeth, your dentist may decide to remove a tooth or multiple teeth to make room for the movement that will occur with braces or aligners. 

There are different types of extractions that dental teams will use. As the name suggests, a simple extraction is a simple extraction! It will usually be performed on a healthy tooth. Concerning previous examples, if you were having teeth extracted due to orthodontic procedures, this will usually be a simple extraction. Your dental team will numb the gum line and simply wriggle the tooth loose and remove it. This may or may not involve stitches, depending on the tooth removed. 

Surgical extractions are a bit more complicated and usually used if the tooth has decayed below the gumline or partially erupted as is sometimes the case with wisdom teeth. Once again, your dental team will numb your gums but also use medical incisions to help them gain access to the area below the gum line and remove the entire tooth and its roots. If your tooth is cracked due to trauma, then your dental team may also need to use surgical methods. For most surgical interventions in dental care, stitches are needed. 

Once you have had a tooth removed, irrespective of the method used, you will need to refrain from putting any pressure on the site. If the gum was left open, do not poke the area with your tongue since a clot needs to form for the site to heal. If this clot does not form, you may develop something known as a dry socket, which is very uncomfortable and hinders the gum from healing. You should also avoid hot drinks or hot foods for a few days until the sensitivity in the gum recedes and you are able to consume hot beverages without discomfort.