Options for Teeth Extraction

There are three main reasons to have teeth extracted. Most often, wisdom teeth (also called third molars) are extracted because they become embedded in the jaw and cause pain to the patient. Another common reason for teeth extraction is orthodontic work. In many instances, before braces are put on, an orthodontist will have to remove a tooth to allow the others to fit properly in the mouth. Finally, some people are born with extra teeth. To remedy this problem, dentists must extract the superfluous teeth. Patients have a choice of two kinds of extractions: a simple extraction or a surgical extraction.

Simple Extraction

• This type of extraction is aptly named, as it is the simplest of the two. In this case, no surgery or cutting will be performed on the patient. Instead, the dentist will use an instrument called forceps to grab the tooth and pull it until it is pulled clean from the socket. In most cases, the patient's gums are injected with a local anesthetic, which will prevent him from feeling any pain. A local anesthetic is one that will not "put the patient under." Simple extractions are performed on teeth above the gum line and can be seen in the mouth.

Surgical Extraction

• If teeth cannot be seen and are beneath the gum line, a surgical extraction must be performed. Most commonly, dentists refer their patients to an oral surgeon, who will perform the procedure. Whether local anesthesia or sedation is used depends entirely on the shape of the tooth. If it is in bad shape--awkwardly impacted or showing signs of rot, it is wise to opt for sedation. The surgery consists of the oral surgeon making one or several cuts in the gum line to access the tooth. Once that is done, she will break the tooth into several pieces and pull it out bit by bit. Afterward, she will sew the cut with stitches that dissolve.

Recovering

• After having teeth extracted, whether simply or surgically, it is not uncommon for the patient to feel pain or soreness. It makes sense to have over-the-counter pain relievers on hand. Other things patients can do to aid recovery include refraining from eating solid food, avoiding extreme cold or wind in the place where the tooth was extracted, and following the dentist's post-extraction orders.