Different Types of Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is the process of removing a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. Extractions are required if a tooth is too damaged to repair, if the tooth is impacted, or if there is severe crowding or misalignment. There are multiple methods of tooth extraction available to patients, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. The most common procedures include:

Simple Extractions

A dentist will loosen the tooth with a tool called an elevator before pulling it out of the socket with forceps. If a tooth is impacted or doesn’t break free easily, the dentist may need to make an incision in the gum area around the affected area and lift it out with a set of pliers. The procedure can be completed in as little as ten minutes per tooth, but the patient may experience some bleeding and discomfort afterward that can last for several days.

Surgical Extractions

In some cases, a dentist must remove an affected tooth by making an incision in the gum tissue and then cutting it into the jawbone in order to remove the tooth in its entirety. This is usually necessary when the tooth is broken at the gum line or has not erupted fully from the gums yet. The patient may feel some pain during the healing process, which can take upwards of six weeks or more, depending on the patient’s specific case.

Impacted Teeth

When one or more wisdom teeth have become trapped within the bone of the jaw, this is known as an “impacted” wisdom tooth. This can be painful for the patient and can cause the molar to shift awkwardly in its socket, leading to misalignment of the other teeth and bite problems in the future. To correct this issue, your dentist will perform a procedure called a “sectionectomy,” during which they surgically remove one section of the tissue and bone surrounding the impacted tooth. After the area is healed properly, your dentist will place sutures if needed to prevent the area from healing shut. The healing process is often slow, as the body needs time to grow the section back in place. This can often take months to heal completely.

Ardent Dental Arts, located in Englishtown, NJ, is equipped with expert dentists and the latest amenities that enable the best dental care facilities for patients. Call us at (732) 627-4108 and schedule an appointment with the dentist to learn more about dental treatments provided by our dentist.