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Tooth Extraction
There are a number of reasons why a tooth extraction is needed:
- the tooth is severely decayed
- advanced periodontal disease ("gum
disease")
- the tooth may be broken such that it
cannot be repaired
- other teeth may need removal because they
are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted wisdom
teeth)
- preparation for orthodontic treatment
("braces")
Procedure for Tooth Extraction
 Your
dentist will need to examine your mouth and teeth before a
determination can be made that a tooth extraction is warranted.
As a part of this examination a x-ray (radiograph) will be
taken of the tooth in question. This x-ray will allow your
dentist to evaluate both the internal aspects of the tooth
as well as the tooth's root portion and the bone that encases
it.
Thereafter, your relevant medical history will be taken.
Do make sure that you report to your dentist any problems
with any previous tooth extractions, any bleeding problems
or medical conditions in general. Also, make sure your dentist
knows all of the medicines and supplements you are taking
to avoid any complications in tooth extraction. As an example,
aspirin is known to retard the blood clotting process.
Before your tooth extraction your dentist will need to anesthetize
("numb up") both the tooth that will be extracted
and the jawbone and gums that surround it. The tooth is then
removed and your dentist will give you a set of post extraction
instructions to follow in the first 24 hours.
Effects of Missing Teeth
When a tooth is missing its neighboring teeth will tend to
shift, sometimes significantly, which in turn can have a major
impact on your dental health. Even the removal of a single
tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability,
problems with your jaw joint, and the problem of a possibility
that the surrounding teeth of predispose the teeth may shifted.
To avoid these complications, in most cases, your dentist
will probably recommend to you to replace the tooth that has
been extracted.
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