Dental Extraction Treatment

A dental extraction (also referred to as tooth extraction, exodontia, exodontics, or informally, tooth pulling) is the removal of teeth from the dental alveolus (socket) in the alveolar bone.

Reasons for tooth extraction

1. Teeth which have become unrestorable through tooth decay.

2. Periodontal disease.

3. Dental trauma, especially when they are associated with toothache.

4. Supernumerary teeth which are blocking other teeth from coming in.

5. Severe tooth decay or infection (acute or chronic alveolar abscess).

6. Cosmetic – to remove teeth of poor appearance.

8. Severe gum disease which may affect the supporting tissues and bone structures of teeth.

9. In preparation for orthodontic treatment (braces).

10. Teeth in the fracture line.

11. Teeth detrimental to the fit or appearance of dentures.

12. Treatment of symptomatic impacted wisdom teeth.

13. Head and neck radiation therapy.

14. It was once a common practice to remove the front teeth of institutionalized psychiatric patients who had a history of biting.

Types of Extractions

“Simple” or “surgical”.

Simple extractions are performed on teeth that are visible in the mouth, usually under local anesthetics, and require only the use of instruments to elevate and/or grasp the visible portion of the tooth. Typically, when teeth are removed with forceps, slow, steady pressure is applied with controlled force.

Surgical extractions involve the removal of teeth that cannot be easily accessed, for example because they have broken under the gum line or because they have not erupted fully. In a surgical extraction the soft tissues covering the tooth and bone was elevated.