If your tooth is damaged or decayed and can no longer be repaired or replaced with a crown or filling, then your dentist in Bovingdon may advise you to have it extracted (removed) as a last resort.
Why do teeth need to be extracted?
There are multiple reasons why a person may need their teeth to be extracted. At Bovingdon Dental, some of the more common reasons we see here are severe tooth decay and gum disease; these can be caused by a variety of factors such as insufficient oral hygiene, drinking beverages high in sugar content, frequent snacking and the presence of bacteria in the mouth. Another reason why you may require an extraction includes an abscess that forms on your gums or around your teeth. This is only carried out based on the severity of the abscess and if a root canal treatment is not possible. Broken teeth that cannot be repaired are often extracted and replaced with a denture or crown, however in order to do this an implant needs to be fitted beforehand for the denture or crown to sit on. Extractions are also a suitable option for you if you have crowded teeth which restrict the amount of space in your jaw or if you have wisdom teeth. Prior to an extraction, your dentist in Bovingdon will prepare you for the procedure and discuss your medical history to ensure that extractions are the correct procedure for you.
The extraction process
Tooth extractions are often carried out under a local anaesthetic which numbs your gums completely to prevent you from feeling any form of pain, however it is important to note that you will experience some pressure when the tooth is being extracted. If you have anxiety when visiting the dentist or are afraid of the procedure, you may be able to speak to your doctor and take a sedative before the procedure in order to calm your nerves. In certain cases general anaesthetic is offered if a patient has learning disabilities or in the case of children.
The procedure begins with your dentist in Bovingdon injecting a local anaesthetic into the area around your tooth or the teeth that are to be extracted in order to numb the area. They will then wait a few minutes for the anaesthetic to take effect. They will then proceed to widen the socket of your tooth to loosen the root and then stitch up the empty socket to allow it to heal. This may cause your gum to bleed for a while however you will be provided with a thick padding to press against the extraction site with your teeth which will help stop the bleeding after a few minutes.
Aftercare
Once the procedure is complete and the bleeding comes to a stop, patients who were administered a local anaesthetic are often allowed to go home as the effects of the anaesthetic wear off within a couple of hours. However, if you need a general anaesthetic you will be asked to remain at the practice until the effects wear off and cannot drive home. Your dentist will recommend painkillers and may also prescribe you a course of antibiotics in order to reduce the risk of infection.
