Tooth extraction medically referred to as exodontia, is the process of removing or extracting the tooth from the socket. There are many reasons why a tooth extraction can be performed or is necessary, but most dentists will only recommend this exercise as a last result measure. Apart from extractions done for aesthetics, the majority is done when the patient is in severe pain and other is nothing more that can be done to save the tooth. That means that tooth extractions should only be recommended after all other treatment methods prove futile. The dentist will try any possible method to save the tooth before extraction.
This article will discuss the tooth extraction categories, the reasons for tooth extraction, the procedure involved, and a few other related topics. Keep reading the article to understand this process and to make sound decisions about it in the future, should you ever need it.
Categories of Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction can either be categorized as simple or surgical, as explained below:
1. Simple tooth extraction
Dentists at the Royal Smiles Dental Clinic in Kenya, explain a simple tooth extraction as the removal of a tooth that is visible. Any dentist can perform this procedure. The dentist will numb the gum area around the teeth during the exercise and use an elevator to loosen the teeth. This unique instrument moves the infected tooth back and forth to loosen it from its socket.
The rocking of the tooth widens the socket, making the tooth easy to pluck. After the dentist is satisfied that the socket is wide enough, they will use dental forceps to lift the tooth from the socket with controlled but steady pressure.
2. Surgical tooth extraction
Surgical tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth that cannot be accessed for a simple extraction. The two main reasons that a surgical extraction is necessary are that the tooth has broken near the gum or it is impacted. An impacted tooth usually happens with the molars and premolars, whereby the tooth will not erupt on its own. Oral surgeons mostly carry out this exercise, but some general dentists can also do it.
During the process, the dentist will make a cut (incision) in the gum to access the tooth to be removed. Sometimes, it may be necessary to split the tooth into many pieces to make it easier for its removal. Surgical tooth extraction is considered a complete surgical procedure accompanied by all the risks accompanying any other surgical procedure.
Tooth Extraction Procedure
The following is the procedure for a successful dental extraction according to dentists at the Royal Smiles Dental Clinic in Kenya:
1. Assessment and investigation
The dentist assesses the history of the patient’s oral health to establish how prior extractions were done if any. The dentist will also look at the tooth physically to gauge the extent of the damage and if it will require a simple extraction or a surgical one. The dentist may also perform a> dental x-ray to learn more about the tooth to prepare well for the extraction. Note that it is at this initial stage that a dentist may recommend an alternative treatment to avoid losing the tooth. A dental extraction should be the last alternative if all other treatment methods have failed.
2. Obtaining the patient’s consent
The dentist should obtain and document the patient’s consent, especially for surgical extractions. Like any other form of surgery, surgical tooth extraction is risky, and the patient should be aware of all the risks involved. Before the patient consents to the extraction, the dentist is supposed to explain any other treatment methods available, if any, so that the patient is aware of the options available.
3. Inducing anaesthesia
The next stage in dental extractions is the induction of anaesthesia. It is necessary since teeth removal is excruciating, and not many people can freely withstand the process. The dentist must make sure that the teeth and the surrounding tissues in the gum are numb before starting the procedure. Although most dentists prefer to numb only the area around the tooth to be extracted, some people will choose full-body anaesthesia, which should be available upon request.
4. Tooth removal
The next step will be the actual tooth extraction. The dentist will use several instruments like the elevator and the forceps to try and dislodge the tooth with minimal trauma to the surrounding tissue. There are different types of forceps to be used on what kind of tooth is being removed, what side of the jaw, and whether it is an upper tooth or a lower one. Dental laxators can also aid the dentist in extracting the tooth. The main aim of the dentist here should be to cause as less damage as possible to the gums and socket. The lesser the damage, the faster the healing.
5. Haemostasis
Haemostasis is the last step during tooth extraction. It is the process of stopping the bleeding occasioned by dental extraction. There are several ways the dentist can use to stop the bleeding, depending on how much the patient is bleeding. Under normal circumstances, the most common method is biting down on a sterile gauze over the affected socket, which provides pressure to the wound. This method will make the blood clot at the socket, stopping the bleeding. If the surrounding gum tissue damage is severe, the dentist can stitch the loose parts and then use hemostatic gauze. The dentist may electrocute the affected tissues to force blood clotting in severe bleeding cases.
Reasons for Tooth Extraction
We have shown how a tooth extraction should be a measure of last result. Before a dentist settles on tooth extraction, they should exhaust all other available means of treatment. According to experts at the Royal Smiles Dental Clinic in Kenya, there are some instances where dental extraction is necessary. These are:
- Extreme tooth decay and infection remain the leading cause of tooth extraction. Tooth cavities and root abscesses are rarely reversible and can only be dealt with through dental extraction.
- Severe gum infection (mostly gingivitis) that affects the tissues and the bones supporting the tooth. When this happens, it may be necessary for the dentist to extract the infected teeth to stop the disease from spreading.
- Impacted wisdom teeth. Surgical tooth extraction may be necessary when wisdom teeth can’t erupt on their own.
- In cases of hyperdontia or supernumerary teeth. Hyperdontia is the state where someone has more than the standard number of teeth, which is 32. When this happens, the extra teeth will affect the development of others and, therefore, will need to be removed.
- Fractured tooth. When a tooth is fractured, it gives bacteria hiding grounds since they can attack from the cracks. Instead of waiting for the tooth to cause an infection, the dentist may recommend removing it.
- To perform neck and head radiation therapy. To treat cancerous tumours affecting these places, it may be necessary to remove some teeth either before or after the treatment.
- When the cost of extraction is lower than other forms of treatment when this is the case, the dentist may recommend a tooth extraction instead of pursuing other forms of treatment.
- For nbsp;>orthodontic purposes. In preparation for braces for teeth alignment and straightening, the dentist may recommend removing some teeth that are deemed overcrowded. That will create space for the remaining teeth to be correctly aligned.
- For beauty purposes. Some people may deem some teeth as affecting their oral appearance, hence requesting their removal. Before a dentist goes ahead with this, they will ensure that all other alternatives are not viable.
Factors to Consider Before Tooth Extraction
Before a tooth extraction, there are some things you have to consider. These are:
1. Anticoagulants
Some people may have prescription medicines that affect the blood clotting process after tooth extraction. That can be dangerous since it can lead to excessive bleeding in the patient, which at extreme levels can be fatal. It is essential to let the dentist know about all your medications. Some medicines may be anticoagulants, and the patient is not even aware, so the dentist should be aware of every drug you are taking.
2. Antibiotics
Patients should make the dentists aware of any antibiotics they are taking since some of them may affect their post-extraction healing. Although antibiotics may prevent post-extraction infections, their effects must be balanced before and after extraction. Since balancing the effects of antibiotics is hard, their use is not recommended before or after tooth extraction.
3. Risk of nerve damage
Tooth extraction poses a risk of nerve damage to the patient, and that is why a patient’s consent is sought before the extraction. The nerve ending that supplies sensation to the lower lip, teeth, and chin passes through the lower jaw, and lower tooth extraction can lead to permanent numbness to the lower chin and lip. To reduce the chances of this risk, dentists use >dental x-rays to establish the exact spot of this nerve to prevent damage.
What to do After Tooth Extraction
There are a few things you should keep in mind after tooth extraction. Some of them are:
1. Following the dentist’s instructions
Following the dentist’s instructions is very important to ensure that you heal properly without further complications after a dental extraction. Some of the main instructions the dentist will issue are:
- Keep the pressure on the socket with the sterile gauze for as long as possible. You should avoid talking while the gauze is still in your mouth. Doing this will help stop the bleeding faster.
- Avoid exploring the wound with your tongue, which may interfere with the blood clotting process.
- Not rinse the mouth for 24 hours to avoid removing the blood clot. After 24 hours, you should rinse the mouth with salty water to keep the wound free from infections.
- Avoid alcohol and other strong drinks for at least 24 hours. Alcohol makes blood coagulation difficult, so bleeding will be hard to stop.
- Avoid strenuous activities as they might increase blood pressure, making blood clotting difficult.
- For the next seven days following a dental extraction, you should eat soft foods only. That will cause the slightest disturbances to the healing socket, making the healing process faster.
2. Managing pain
Managing the pain associated with dental extraction is very important after the exercise. The dentist will prescribe some pain relievers, which should be taken as per the given instructions. It would be best if you told the dentist about any medical conditions you have so that they may prescribe the best pain relievers for you. Some pain relievers may also have adverse effects on the patient; that is why you should be careful about the kind of medication you use.
3. Socket preservation
Preserving the socket is very important, especially for those who plan to replace the lost teeth. The socket should be maintained to avoid bone loss, making future teeth replacement (Dentures) difficult. To preserve the bone, you should prevent bone shrinking, which is achieved through the use of a scaffold, which is placed in the empty socket.
Post-Extraction Bleeding
Managing post-extraction bleeding is very important, especially for those who have blood clotting problems. The first thing you should know is how long normal bleeding should last. Dentists say it is normal for tooth extraction to bleed up to eight hours after the extraction. Any bleeding that occurs 8-12 hours after extraction should be referred to as post-extraction bleeding.
Several factors contribute to post-extraction bleeding. These are:
- Interfering with the blood vessels. The dentist may accidentally lacerate the blood vessels, making blood clotting difficult.
- Infections. The raw socket may be infected, leading to poor blood coagulation.
- Traumatic extraction. The dentist may have interfered with the surrounding tissues too much.
- Not following the dentist’s post-extraction instructions like applying pressure on the socket until bleeding stops.
- Coagulation disorders. Some people’s blood does not clot easily.
Dentists recommend that you should try to stop the bleeding at home before seeking any medical help. Biting on a sterile gauze continuously is an effective way of dealing with post-extraction bleeding. You should keep repeating the process for up to two hours before seeking medical help.
FAQs About Tooth Extraction
Is tooth extraction painful?
Some ask if a tooth extraction is painful. The answer is No. Dentists administer anaesthesia before the actual extraction takes place. Your whole body will be numb, and you will not feel the process. The only pinch you will feel is when the anaesthetic is applied; then, you will feel nothing.
How long does a dental extraction take?
Some wonder how long it will take for a tooth extraction. A simple extraction will take less than one hour. This time is spread between applying anaesthesia to the actual extraction. A surgical extraction may take longer due to the surgery involved, but usually, it is less than three hours.
How long does the pain last after dental extraction?
Many ask how long will the pain last after a dental extraction. Dentists say that the pain associated with teeth extraction will last between 24 and 72 hours. However, total healing will take between one and two weeks. If the pain or healing process for your tooth extraction lasts more than the said timelines, you should seek medical help because that may be a sign of an infection.
Are there complications that can occur after tooth extraction?
Many people wonder about the safety of a dental extraction after the exercise. Like any other surgical procedure, tooth extraction has risks, although few. The dentist will try their best to minimize these risks as much as possible. Some of the complications which may occur after a dental extraction are an infection, prolonged bleeding, swelling of the gum, and nerve injury.
How much does a dental extraction cost?
Another common question among many people is the cost of a dental extraction. The cost of a standard extraction will cost between Kshs. 5,000 and Kshs. 20,000 depending on the kind of extraction and anaesthesia used. However, removing impacted teeth is more expensive due to the type of surgical operation involved. It will sometimes cost up to Kshs. 200,000 to extract the impacted tooth.
Conclusion
A tooth extraction should only be performed after all treatment options and tooth restoration alternatives have failed. A dental extraction is permanent, and the process cannot be reversed. Once you lose a tooth, subsequent attempts at its replacement will be expensive with fewer success rates.
The kind of extraction to be performed will depend on the damage to the tooth. A simple extraction is best when the tooth is visible and the extraction instruments can easily hold it. A surgical extraction will be necessary when the tooth is significantly damaged or not visible, and the only way to remove it is by lacerating the gum.
It is imperative to follow the dentist’s instructions for the best healing process. All the instructions on stopping the bleeding and managing the pain should be strictly followed. If the bleeding does not stop after 72 hours or the socket is not fully healed after two weeks, you are advised to seek medical help.
The Royal Smiles Dental Clinic is your best option for all dental needs and inquiries for those in or around Nairobi, Kenya. The experts found in this clinic will answer all your queries about oral health and solve all your issues and problems.