Tooth loss is a serious issue that affects millions of Americans and can mark the beginning of a general decline of your oral health. It is important to understand what leads to a tooth needing to be extracted as well as what can be done to replace the tooth once it has been extracted. At Reno-Tahoe Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, we understand how hard it can be to live life with missing teeth, and we want to make things easier for all of our patients after getting their teeth pulled.
tooth will end up needing to be extracted. Surprisingly the most common cause of tooth extraction is tooth impaction. Most people do not have enough room in their mouth for wisdom teeth, and as a result, most people end up needing their wisdom teeth removed. If these teeth are not removed, they can cause damage to other structures in the mouth when they come in at an awkward angle.
Other common reasons to extract teeth include extreme decay, physical trauma to the tooth, and poor oral hygiene resulting in bone and soft tissue loss in the mouth. We believe in providing you with the information you need to understand your tooth loss so that you can take steps to prevent it in the future.
The Extraction Procedure
There are two different kinds of tooth extraction – simple extractions and surgical extractions. Simple extractions are done when the crown of the tooth is fully visible in the mouth, whereas surgical extractions happen when the tooth has not fully erupted from the gumline, or has broken off below it.
Simple Tooth Extractions
A simple tooth extraction is performed when we can see and grip the tooth with a special tool called an “elevator”. We will begin the procedure as we begin every procedure here at Reno-Tahoe Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center: by ensuring your safety and comfort. We have a variety of sedation and anesthesia options, so just let us know if you have a preference before getting your teeth pulled. Once the site has been numbed, we will grip the tooth using the elevator and begin gently rocking it back and forth until it is loose enough to remove. We will finish the pulled teeth procedure by carefully suturing the site closed and packing it with gauze.
Surgical Tooth Extractions
When a tooth has not fully erupted from the gums (wisdom teeth) or has broken off below the gumline, we will have to perform a surgical extraction to remove it. Once the site has been numbed and you are comfortable, we will make a small incision in the gums to access the tooth. From here, there are a few ways that we can remove the tooth. Once those problematic teeth are fully extracted, we will suture the site closed and pack it with gauze to control the bleeding.
Aftercare For Tooth Extractions
Following any kind of teeth extractions, we will send you home with care instructions that are specific to your procedure. As a general rule of thumb, never use a straw or make a sucking motion with your mouth following the removal of a tooth as it can pull the clot free and result in serious infection.
Learn More About Aftercare for Tooth Extraction