How to Remove a Tooth for a Dental Implant

A dental implant is used by dentists to replace a missing tooth or several missing teeth. The implant is a titanium screw that is inserted into the jawbone. The false tooth is then secured to the screw. Dental implants are preferred by most patients and dentists to replace a missing tooth. However, if you need an existing tooth replaced, the first step will be to remove the damaged tooth through a simple or surgical extraction.

Things You'll Need

• Syringe
• Numbing agent
• Elevator
• Extraction forceps
• Sharp dental tool
• Scalpel
• Drill

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Instructions

• 1

  Make an appointment with your dentist to have the damaged tooth removed in preparation for your dental implant. Make sure you understand all your options for replacing your damaged tooth and ask your dentist plenty of questions about the procedure before committing to receiving a dental implant. Also, make sure you understand the type of extraction being performed. A simple extraction is common, but depending on how damaged your tooth is, you may need a surgical extraction.

• 2

  Be prepared for your dentist to start the tooth extraction by numbing your mouth. He'll numb the damaged tooth and the surrounding area, including your jawbone and gums. Numbing is usually done using a syringe to inject a numbing agent.

• 3

  Expect to feel quite a bit of pressure during the extraction process. If you only need a simple extraction, your dentist will use the extraction forceps to shift the damaged tooth from side to side, widening the tooth socket. The dentist may also use an elevator, or small screwdriver-like tool, to separate the tooth from the bone. Once the socket is wide enough, the tooth can be separated from the ligament and pulled out. Once the tooth is removed, you're ready to begin the process of receiving a dental implant.

• 4

  Make sure you're prepared for a surgical extraction if that's what's necessary to remove the damaged tooth. A surgical extraction is necessary when not enough of the damaged tooth is exposed for a simple extraction to be effective. Learning more about the procedure beforehand will help relieve some of your anxiety. During a surgical extraction, your dentist will pry out the damaged tooth by the root using a sharp dental tool. He may also need to make an incision using a scalpel in order to expose more of the damaged tooth. If the tooth still isn't exposed enough to remove, a drill is used to remove some of the bone and expose more of the tooth. When possible, the damaged tooth is removed using extraction forceps, and the incision is closed. Your dentist will then determine the best time to begin the process of placing a dental implant.