Having a tooth extractionisn’t something most people look forward to. There are a number of reasons people may require a dental extraction. Everything from extreme tooth decay, impacted teeth, teeth crowding or teeth that are damaged from a trauma to the mouth are reasons to have teeth pulled. Sometimes people are born with too many teeth and it is necessary to have teeth removed to avoid over-crowding.
In recent history, tooth extractions have become much more patient friendly than in years past. Advancements in dental equipment and dental anesthesia offer pain free dental extractions options to patients. Ask your dentist if they offer sedation dentistry for tooth extractions. Sedation dentistry helps patients relax using Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) or other forms of advanced anesthetics that help alleviate pain and dental anxiety. There are different types of dental extraction instruments used for specific tooth extractions. Most tooth extractions fall into one of two categories; they are either simple tooth extractions or surgical.
Simple extractions refer to teeth that are visible and have erupted from the gum. These teeth are pulled or extracted using an instrument that elevates and grasps the part of the tooth that is visible. Dental forceps gently lift the tooth, and the periodontal ligament is carefully broken using rocking motion with controlled force so the tooth can be removed. If you need a surgical extraction you probably have teeth that remain under the gum line or have not fully erupted. These extractions require an incision into the gum. Surgical extractions sometimes require drilling into the jawbone to access the tooth. Again, the advancements in dental equipment, extraction techniques and anesthetics greatly reduce the pain and recovery time associated with tooth extractions.
