Tooth Extraction in Calgary
Inglewood Family Dental offers tooth extractions, wisdom tooth extraction, and soft tissue surgical procedures as a convenience of our patients. If you think you require a tooth extraction, contact us today for a consultation and full evaluation.
There is no reason to be anxious about your procedure because we take great care to ensure patient comfort and peace of mind. To help our patients relax during their dental appointment, we offer inhaled nitrous oxide and oral sedation to help anxious patients relax during any and all procedures. It’s usually preferable to restore and save a damaged tooth. In some cases, however, the best option may be to remove the tooth—especially when the tooth is putting your oral health at risk.
If a tooth is broken or decayed, the dentist will try and repair the tooth with a filling, crown, or some other treatment option. Unfortunately, sometimes the tooth is beyond repair and will need to come out. This is one case, of many, where a tooth extraction may be necessary. A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the jaw bone. Most general dentists are able to perform a basic extraction, though for some teeth, you may require an oral surgeon.
What is a Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction is a dental procedure that removes the tooth and root from the socket in the bone. There are two different types of extractions: simple extractions and surgical extractions. A simple extraction occurs when a tooth that is visible and easily accessible for the dentist. This is typically performed under local anesthesia. A surgical extraction is often necessary when the tooth is not easily accessed, the tooth has not completely erupted above the gum surface, or the tooth has broken off below the gumline. These extractions are often more complicated and performed by an oral surgeon under general anesthesia.
Common Reasons for Extracting A Tooth
A tooth extraction is typically the last resort when it comes to dental care. A dentist will do everything he or she can to save a tooth performing an extraction. There are cases, however, when the tooth cannot be saved or must be removed for other dental considerations. The main need for tooth extractions is severe dental decay that is not fixable by fillings or root canals. At this stage, the tooth must be removed in order to prevent the spread of infection.
Another cause is severe periodontal disease. In these cases, the disease causes infection in the gums, periodontal ligaments, bone and surrounding tissue. When the infection becomes severe, it can result in loose teeth. If the tooth cannot be stabilized, then extraction is necessary.
While most often seen with wisdom teeth, impacted teeth are another common cause of tooth extraction. When a tooth is blocked or unable to break through the gumline, it can damage surrounding teeth or cause infection. In these cases, the tooth is removed by an oral surgeon, reducing the risk of infection and minimizing overcrowding.
Overcrowding itself is also a common cause for tooth extraction, often affecting children undergoing orthodontic treatments. Your orthodontist may determine that there is no room to change and adjust the alignment of the teeth, so a tooth may be extracted to allow for the necessary movement.
Pediatric Tooth Extractions
With baby teeth, you may ask why they would consider an extraction when the teeth will already fall out as they grow older. While these teeth typically do fall out on their own, there are times where even baby teeth need extractions. Similar to adult teeth, baby teeth can get infected and, if severe, affect other teeth, make the child sick, or affect the health of the underlying adult tooth. In these cases, it is much easier to just remove the tooth.
If the teeth are overcrowding, or adult teeth are having problems erupting and pushing out the baby teeth, the dentist may determine it necessary to remove the baby teeth in order to aid the breakthrough of adult teeth. This can often limit the time or need for orthodontic care later on.
One difference with baby teeth that are removed due to injury or decay is the need for spacers to eliminate crowding from other teeth. These spacers are designed to keep baby teeth in place as they wait for the adult teeth to come through.
Dry Sockets
After a tooth extraction, you can expect to have minimal bleeding, swelling, and pain. Follow the directions given by your Calgary dentist to avoid any possible complications, such as dry socket. When your tooth is extracted, a blood clot forms in the socket and is an essential part of healing. Things like sucking, spitting, or any action that causes pressure in your mouth or creates a suctioning effect can disturb the clot, leading to dry socket. This can be extremely painful. Talk to your dentist about how to avoid the risk of dry socket after your dental extraction.
Schedule Your Wisdom Tooth Extraction Today!
If you are interested in learning more about Wisdom Tooth Extractions, please contact our office at (403) 265-5888 to schedule your visit with Dr. Arash Ravanbakhsh!
Call us at (403) 265-5888 to request your consultation at Inglewood Family Dental today!
FAQ’s About Tooth Extraction
How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Tooth Extraction?
Once you have your tooth extracted you will be sent home to recover by your dentist. The typical recovery time is usually a few days. There are things you can do to help minimize your discomfort. You have the capability to take painkillers if they are prescribed, along with firmly biting on gauze pads, applying ice packs and avoiding any strenuous activity for about 24 hours after the procedure.
Is Tooth Extraction Painful?
The only time you should feel pain or discomfort is after the anesthesia wears off. This is usually around 24 hours after the tooth has been extracted. It is also normal to experience some residual bleeding and swelling. You can take over the counter pain medications or take whatever is prescribed for you by the dentist for any pain you might have after the anesthesia wears off.
What Happens During A Tooth Extraction?
The first step to a tooth extraction is the area will be numbed with a local anesthetic. If the tooth that is being extracted is impacted there is an extra step. This extra step involves the tooth possible being broken into pieces before it can be removed. There are two different categories of tooth extraction, surgical and simple.
