Dental extractions are sometimes necessary in adulthood and cannot be avoided. There are many reasons why you would need a dental extraction. We have outlined some of those reasons in this page. When necessary, the surgeon will simply pull the tooth to ensure that it doesn’t cause damage to the other teeth or gums. Gums (gingiva) have a natural repairing quality. Not all dental extractions result from damage or untreated infections. It is common for patients to have their wisdom teeth extracted to prevent overcrowding or pain if the wisdom tooth doesn’t erupt properly. Wisdom teeth are located at the back of your mouth and serve no meaningful purpose so it is a better option to extract them to prevent damage to the functional teeth.
Why You May Need a Dental Extraction
Apart from damage and injuries, dental extractions are needed for the following reasons:
- Infection – Damaged or decaying teeth can extend to the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth and cause infection. The bacteria in the mouth may build up, causing an infection, which can take over the gums and eventually lead to serious diseases. Pulling the infected tooth is often a preferable option to prevent worse conditions.
- Gum Disease – Periodontal gum disease is an infection in the bones and tissues that support the teeth. Infected gums may not be able to hold the tooth, making it painful to chew or bite. This is when dental extraction might be helpful.
- Crowding (overlapping teeth) and/or Wisdom Teeth – Third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, are usually the last four of 32 teeth to erupt (surface) in the mouth, generally making their appearance between the ages of 16 to 25. They are located at the back of the mouth. In most cases, inadequate space in the mouth does not allow the wisdom teeth to erupt properly and become fully functional. When this happens, the tooth can become impacted in an undesirable or harmful position. When left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can contribute to infection, damage to other teeth, and possibly cysts or tumors.
There are several types of impactions based on the actual depth of the teeth within the jaw:
- Soft Tissue Impaction: The upper portion of the tooth (the crown) has penetrated through the bone, but the gingiva (gum) is covering part or all of the tooth’s crown and has not positioned properly around the tooth. Because it is difficult to keep the area clean, food can become trapped below the gum and cause an infection and/or tooth decay, resulting in pain and swelling.
- Partial Bony Impaction: The tooth has partially erupted, but a portion of the crown remains submerged below the gum and surrounding jawbone. Again, because it is difficult to keep the area clean, the infection will commonly occur.
- Complete Bony Impaction: The tooth is completely encased by jawbone. This will require more complex removal techniques.
Reasons to Remove Wisdom Teeth:
While not all wisdom teeth require removal, wisdom teeth extractions are most often performed because of an active problem such as pain, swelling, decay or infection, or as a preventative measure to avoid serious problems in the future. If impaction of one or more wisdom teeth is present and left untreated, a number of potentially harmful outcomes can occur, including:
- Damage to nearby teeth: Second molars (the teeth directly in front of the wisdom teeth) can be adversely affected by impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in tooth decay (cavities), periodontal disease (gum disease), and possible bone loss.
- Disease: Although uncommon, cysts and tumors can occur in the areas surrounding impacted wisdom teeth.
- Infection: Bacteria and food can become trapped under the gum tissue, resulting in an infection. The infection can cause considerable pain and danger.
- Tooth Crowding: It has been theorized that impacted wisdom teeth can put pressure on other teeth and cause them to become misaligned (crowding and overlapping)
Wisdom teeth examination
Advanced planning. As with any dental procedure, the surgeon will want to initially conduct a thorough examination of the wisdom and surrounding teeth. Panoramic digital x-rays and/or cone-beam computed tomography (CT) to create 3D images of your mouth will be taken in order for the surgeon to evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and determine if a current problem exists, or the likelihood of any potential future problems. These images can expose additional risk factors, such as deterioration or decay of nearby teeth and a clear understanding of your teeth, roots, nerves, and facial skeletal anatomy. These initial steps ensure an effective procedure and limit potential complications. Early evaluation and treatment (typically in the mid-teen years) are recommended in order to identify potential problems and to improve the results for patients requiring wisdom teeth extractions. Only after a thorough examination can your surgeon provide you with the best options for your particular case.
IV sedation. Patients who have tooth extractions can sleep comfortably through their entire procedure. As an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, DR. Woo is extensively trained and certified to provide IV sedation. Sedation and general anesthesia can turn an unpleasant dental surgery into a very relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Specialization. Dr. Woo is a dual-degreed Board Certified MD, OMS, and performs tooth extractions and other oral surgeries on a daily basis. Along with this experience, he has training in advanced technologies and surgical techniques that improve accuracy and decrease surgical time. The combination of expertise, experience, and technology means that you will receive the best care available in accordance with today’s surgical standards.
Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure, generally performed under local anesthesia or intravenous (IV) sedation by a specially trained surgeon. The surgery does not require an overnight stay, and you will be released with post-operative instructions and medication (if necessary). Patients can return home after their procedure. If you receive IV sedation, however, you should have a friend or family member drive you.
For single tooth extraction, patients are frequently able to return to work the very next day. For multiple teeth extractions or more complex dental extractions, patients may require more rest and recuperation prior to returning to work. After your tooth extractions, you can expect some minor bleeding and swelling. In case of invasive procedures swelling will typically peak at 72 hours and then subside progressively each day thereafter.
If you have any questions about Dental Extractions, please make an appointment for a complimentary consultation. Dr. Ian Woo is a dual-degreed MD, OMS graduate of USC, with many years of experience and a track record of many tens of thousands of successful surgical procedures.