Tooth Extraction
Your teeth may be small, but they are an integral component of your mouth. They have a wide array of responsibilities and go through a lot every day. However, even though your teeth are exceptionally strong, they can still be faced with issues. While some issues may be minor, and only require a small correction, some issues can be serious. Serious damage to your teeth not only affect the appearance of the tooth, but it also affects your oral and overall health. Saving your damaged teeth is a top priority, but this is not always possible. At Huronia Oral Surgery Group, we can perform a tooth extraction.Reasons for Tooth Extraction
When your teeth are damaged, it is imperative that you have them examined as soon as possible. Even if it does not seem serious at the time, untreated tooth damage can lead to serious issues such as severe pain, infections, and bone loss. There is also a risk of bacteria entering your bloodstream. If this happens, the bacteria are then able to travel throughout your body and can contribute to serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease.
In the event of a damaged tooth, a thorough exam is performed. This is done to assess the extent of the damage. All options are explored before deciding to extract. Your exam consists of a visual evaluation, during which the teeth are checked over, and the gums are assessed for infection. X-rays are also taken, which provide a look at hidden structures in your mouth. Damage to tooth roots and the supporting structures, as well as infections, can be seen.
There are various reasons why teeth need to be extracted:
| • | Cracks in your teeth that extend below the gumline, or that are solely below the gum tissue. Teeth may also be completely split in half. This damage cannot be fixed with crowns. |
| • | Shattered teeth. These teeth cannot support a crown. |
| • | Severe tooth decay. If most of the tooth structure has been eroded by decay, a filling is likely to lead to further damage. With the tooth significantly weakened, it will not be able to support a crown either. |
| • | Teeth that are impacted. While common with wisdom teeth, any tooth can be impacted. Impacted teeth are those that cannot erupt through the gums properly. They can cause severe pain and possibly damage adjacent teeth. |
| • | Your teeth are overcrowded. Overcrowded teeth can affect both your appearance and your oral health. Removing one or more teeth is often combined with orthodontic treatment to restore a natural, healthy smile. |
Simple Extractions
When determining a tooth needs to be extracted, we will also determine the best way to do so. There are two types of extractions. A simple extraction is done on teeth that do not present many issues. The tooth is gripped with forceps and moved back and forth to widen the socket. When the tooth is loose enough, we can simply lift it free. This procedure is done under a local anesthetic, although sedation can be provided if necessary.
Surgical Extractions
For more complex or complicated extractions, a surgical extraction is performed. Your tooth may be stuck below the gums, there may be bone preventing a simple extraction, or the tooth may be in several pieces. A surgical extraction is done under local anesthetic as well as sedation. Small incisions are made in the gums, providing us with access to the entire tooth and its root. We then work to remove the tooth. Any blockages are removed. In some cases, we may need to break the tooth to remove it completely. We carefully remove every piece and clean the area before suturing the tissue closed.
If you have a damaged tooth, we will first explore every option for repairing it. If the tooth cannot be saved, we will move forward with the extraction and discuss your options for tooth replacement. For more information, and to schedule your consultation, call Huronia Oral Surgery Group to schedule your appointment today at 705-302-0357.
