Tooth Extraction

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Tooth Extraction Leichhardt

If it’s gotta go, it’s gotta go!

Tooth extraction is a common procedure where a tooth is removed from the mouth due to several reasons.

Tooth extractions may be performed due to severe tooth decay or infection, tooth damage due to breakage, severe periodontal disease, impacted wisdom teeth, to make space for orthodontic treatment, or during childhood, when baby (temporary) teeth don’t fall out quickly enough to create space for developing adult teeth.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

Listed below are some of the most common reasons the teeth are extracted:

Preparation for orthodontia: Preparation for dental braces and retainers usually involves pulling one tooth or a few teeth.

Save space: Wisdom teeth are commonly pulled if there is no space for them in the mouth, or if they become impacted.

Damage or decay: Tooth extraction may be the only choice if the tooth is too decayed or damaged to be restored.

Risk of infection: Extracting teeth may be required if radiation or chemotherapy to the head and neck causes infection.

Types of Tooth Extractions

There two types of tooth extractions:

Simple extraction – the procedure done on the teeth that are visible in the mouth, usually with the patient under local anaesthesia and require the use of instruments to elevate and grasp the visible part of the tooth.
Surgical extraction – involves pulling teeth that cannot be easily accessed, for example, teeth that have broken under the gums or have not erupted completely.

The Tooth Extraction Procedure

If your tooth needs to be extracted, your Leichhardt dentist will first numb the area with local anaesthesia to minimise any discomfort. While local anaesthesia blocks pain, pressure can be still felt.

Some teeth are hard to remove for several reasons, such as growth direction, shape and roots.

After the removal of a tooth, a bite pack is used to put pressure on the socket in order to stop the bleeding.

Once the procedure is finished, your Leichhardt dentist will advise you about any after-care practices to take when you get home.

Usually, minimal bleeding is normal. Your mouth will continuously fill the socket where the tooth root was by forming a blood clot.