Good
oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth
can have major impact upon your oral health and appearance. Although
dentists will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there still sometimes
necessary occasions when a tooth may need to be extracted. A tooth may
need to be extracted for the following reasons:
•
Severe decay
• Advanced periodontal disease
• Infection or abcess
• Orthodontic correction
• Malpositioned teeth
• Fractured teeth or roots
• Impacted teeth
After
careful examination and treatment, the dentist may advise to have a
tooth extracted. Before a tooth is removed, the dentist will take an
x-ray in order to understand the shape and position of the tooth and
surrounding bone. Based on the degree of difficulty, we may refer you
to a specialized oral surgeon.
For a simple extraction, we will first apply a local anesthetic to prevent
pain and discomfort. The tooth will be loosened with a tool called an
elevator and then removed with dental forceps. Once the procedure is
complete, the area may be closed with one or two stitches. We will then
provide you with care instructions to alleviate discomfort and ensure
proper healing.