Dental extraction
Why extract a tooth?
In order to maintain healthy teeth, it is generally sufficient to maintain good oral hygiene followed by regular visits to the dentist every 6 months. However, despite these precautions, certain complications may arise, making tooth extraction inevitable.
The main factors that justify tooth extraction
- A badly decayed tooth that cannot be repaired.
- A tooth with a severe crack or fracture.
- An improperly positioned wisdom tooth and / or causing pain.
- A loose tooth with significant loosening (often due to periodontal disease).
- A primary tooth that leaves no room for permanent teeth.
- Periapical infection (abscess).
- A fracture at the root.
- To create space for other teeth before orthodontic treatment.
Extraction
The consequences of losing a tooth
The simple act of extracting a tooth can quickly affect the balance of a dentition. Here are the possible consequences of edentulousness :
- Increased risk of cavities and periodontal disease due to interdental spaces created by the displacement of adjacent teeth into the edentulous region.
- Loosening of the opposing tooth (the tooth opposite to the one that was extracted). This can cause tenderness where the root is exposed. There is also a risk of losing the tooth completely over time.
- Malocclusion problems related to loosening and displacement of teeth.
- Premature wear of the remaining teeth because they have to compensate for the absence of the teeth that were extracted during chewing.
- Decrease in bone density because the segment of bone that no longer has the stimulation of chewing is absorbed over time.
- Sagging of facial muscles and tissues due to significant loss of bone structure.
To avoid these problematic situations, there are solutions to edentulousness. In Anjou Emergency Dental Center we offer several treatment options such as dental bridge , the IMPLAN t or the removable prosthesis . Do not hesitate to consult our dental professionals for more information.
Extraction
The different types of tooth extraction
Simple or "exodontics"
When no abnormality is observed, the dentist can proceed with a simple extraction of the tooth. In this case, the professional will first move it by tilting it using an instrument (forceps) and then gently remove it under local anesthesia.
Surgical or "odontectomy"
This method is used when the tooth is badly damaged by decay or when it is difficult to access. In this case, the dentist must first clear, still under local anesthesia, the gum around the tooth before proceeding with its expulsion. After the operation, stitches (absorbable or non-absorbable) will be necessary for healing.
Extraction of a wisdom tooth
Wisdom teeth are the 3 th molars at the rear of the dental arches. They are the last teeth to erupt and they often lack the space to come out properly. Due to their positioning, a number of complications can arise :
- When they are completely included , we can apprehend the appearance of a cyst as well as the resorption of the root of the neighboring molar. If left untreated, tooth loss can occur.
- When they are partially included , the risks of infection in the gum or bone, decay or dislocation of the penultimate molar can be caused due to the difficulty of cleaning the area properly.
- When wisdom teeth have erupted but are not in the right position, they are also difficult to clean and can lead to cavities and even ulcers.
The symptoms associated with the eruption of wisdom teeth are manifold :
- Discomfort or pain
- Slenderness
- Swelling and inflammation of the gums
- Headache and throat pain
Is it really essential to extract wisdom teeth ?
No, this is not necessary in some cases. Following the evaluation by your dentist, he may recommend that you keep your wisdom teeth if their positioning does not seem to be causing a problem. This recommendation is, however, conditional on regular monitoring and impeccable dental hygiene being maintained.
