Extractions
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.
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