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Remember those times when your tooth ached a lot and your only option was to have it removed? The process is called Tooth Extraction. In this post we will read in detail about why it has to be done and how it is done.
What Is Tooth Extraction?
Tooth Extraction, also known as Exodontia, is defined as the planned removal of a tooth from its tooth socket in the alveolar bone of the jaw. Preservation of all the natural teeth in the oral cavity for a lifetime is the ultimate goal of all dentists. Thus, tooth extraction is always the last treatment of choice to be suggested to the patient.
When must you get your tooth extracted?
Most dentists prefer to save and preserve the natural teeth in the oral cavity through other dental treatments such as root canal treatment, dental crown, dental restoration and etc. However, there are certain conditions which indicate extraction (exodontia) as the only treatment of choice.
These conditions include:
- Irreversible pulpitis that is untreatable (inflammation of dental pulp).
- Periodontal/ gum disease that could not be treated.
- Dental infections such as dental abscess and periapical infection.
- Tooth fracture.
- Unrestorable dental caries.
- Severe tooth wear (erosion, abrasion and attrition).
- Failure of previous root canal treatment.
- Teeth impaction.
- Teeth that are involved in certain pathologies such as cyst and tumours.
- Teeth located within the field of radiotherapy
- Tooth extraction as part of the orthodontic or prosthodontic treatment plan.
What Are The Contraindications For Tooth Extraction?
Tooth Extraction is contraindicated in certain conditions. The contraindications can be further divided into 2 categories as shown as below:
- Contraindications Of Tooth Extraction Due To Local Causes:
- Acute infection of the tooth to be extracted.
- Tooth to be extracted is located within the tumour.
- Contraindications Of Tooth Extraction Due To Systemic Causes:
- Uncontrolled endocrine diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus.
- Severe liver diseases.
- Severe renal (kidney) diseases.
- Heart diseases such as myocardial infarction and angina pectoris.
- Uncontrolled bleeding disorders.
- Patients that are currently taking certain medications such as immunosupressive drugs.
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension).
What To Expect During A Tooth Extraction?
Once the tooth in indicated for extraction, the dentist explains about the procedure, risks and possible complications to the patient. An informed consent or written consent is then obtained from the patient.
Tooth extraction is carried out without any pain nowadays because this procedure is done under local anaesthesia. The dentist will be injecting certain amount of local anaesthetic solution to numb the area of tooth extraction. Once the extraction area is numb, the dentists will be extracting the tooth by using certain dental instruments such as dental forceps and elevators.
Once the tooth has been extracted, the dentist will be asking the patient to bite on a gauze or cotton roll for about 30-45 minutes for proper blood clotting in the extraction socket.
Other than this, the dentist will be giving post-extraction instructions to the patients. It is important for the patient to follow these instructions strictly for a proper healing of the extraction wound with minimized risk of complications.
If you are looking for a dentist, make an appointment on GetDoc.
by Tommy Wong
A full-time Dental Student passionate to make a dent in the World of Dentistry. All through my dentistry journey, I have realised that there is still a lack of Oral Health Education to the public globally. This leads to high prevalence of Oral Diseases among the human population. With this mission, we have established GlobalDentalPro – Your Oral Health Educator with the mission to promote Oral Health globally to enable people to increase control over, and to improve their Oral Health & thus General Health. View all articles by Tommy Wong.
