About Surgical Tooth Extractions

Posted on: 7 June 2021

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There are many different dental issues that can cause you to need a tooth extraction. While many times it is possible to do a tooth extraction with a simple process that involves numbing the area, there are other times when the extraction needs to be done surgically. If you have a dental issue and you feel it may require a surgical extraction, then here are some things you will want to know: 

When might you need a tooth extraction?

Wisdom teeth - A lot of people experience problems with their wisdom teeth. The wisdom teeth come out later than all other teeth; normally when someone is an older teen or a young adult. In some cases, a person won't have one or more of their wisdom teeth. Then, there are people who experience troubles with their wisdom teeth when they are trying to come in. It's common for someone to not have enough room for their wisdom teeth to come in, or their wisdom teeth may even be sideways. When someone has troubles with their wisdom teeth, it can often lead to the need for a surgical extraction. 

Crowded teeth - In some cases, a person won't have enough room for all of their teeth, and this causes crowding as the teeth push against one another. Crowded teeth can give someone a smile where their overlapping and crooked teeth will be visible. In this case, extracting one or more of the teeth can help correct the crowding issue. Afterwards, the person might then need braces or a clear aligner. In some cases, the extraction may be more involved. 

Tooth decay - When a tooth is decayed to a point where it is better to extract it, the dentist may be able to extract the tooth without surgery. However, in many cases the decayed tooth will have such a small amount left that the dentist won't be able to pull it. When this happens, the tooth will need to be extracted surgically. 

Do you need to be sedated for the extraction surgery?

In some cases, you may not be sedated, but there will be many things the dentist will consider, including your medical history, your level of anxiety, and the level of fear you have about the surgery. If you are not sedated, know that the dentist will make sure you don't experience any pain during the procedure and will do all they can to keep you comfortable. Contact a dental surgeon to learn more.