DENTAL EXTRATIONS

Reasons for tooth extraction

The most common reason for extracting a tooth is tooth damage such as breakage or fracture. Some other possible reasons for tooth extraction are:

• Extra teeth which are blocking other teeth from coming in.
• Severe gum disease which may affect the supporting tissues and bone structures of teeth.
• Severe tooth decay or infection.
• In preparation for orthodontic treatment (braces)
• Insufficient space for wisdom teeth (impacted wisdom teeth).

Types of extraction

Intra-alveolar extractions

These are performed on teeth that are visible in the mouth, usually under local anaesthetic, and require only the use of instruments to elevate and/or grasp the visible portion of the tooth.

Typically the tooth is lifted using an elevator, and subsequently using dental forceps, rocked back and forth until the periodontal ligament has been sufficiently broken and the supporting alveolar bone has been adequately widened to make the tooth loose enough to remove.

Trans-alveolar or Surgical extractions & Wisdom teeth extraction

These involve the removal of teeth that cannot be easily accessed, either because they have broken under the gum line or because they have not erupted fully. In a surgical extraction the doctor may elevate the soft tissues covering the tooth and bone and may also remove some of the overlying and/or surrounding bone tissue with a drill or osteotome. Frequently, the tooth may be split into multiple pieces to facilitate its removal.