A dental extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions can be performed for several reasons including severe tooth decay or infection, tooth damage due to breakage, severe gum disease, impacted wisdom teeth, and removal of teeth to make space for orthodontic treatment. Dr. Templeton of Revitalize Dental Implants is experienced in all types of tooth extraction.
Extractions can be simple or surgical. Simple extractions are performed on teeth that are visible and easily accessible in the mouth. Simple extractions do not require an incision, and are performed under local anesthetic.
For teeth that are broken under the gum line or have not full erupted, surgical extractions are required. Surgical extractions are usually required for wisdom teeth removal.
Surgical extractions are often times removed under IV Sedation or IV General anesthesia to provide maximum comfort to the patient. Often times a pre-op evaluation (consult) is necessary to determine if the patient is a good candidate for in-office sedation. Some patients require an out patient surgical center or a hospital setting due to a complicated medical history.
Why Choose an Oral Surgeon vs. a Dentist for Your Tooth Extraction?
Contacting an oral surgeon isn’t the first thing most people think to do unless they’ve been referred to one by their dentist. If your dentist recommends an oral surgeon, always follow their advice. This means that the extraction is beyond the scope of the dentist’s capabilities and requires expert knowledge.
Following are some reasons why an oral surgeon is the best option.
Oral and Maxillofacial surgery is a recognized specialty of the dental profession. Dr. Templeton’s training includes a four-year graduate degree in dentistry and the completion of a four-year hospital oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program.
An oral surgeon extracts teeth as a routine part of his practice. In fact, Dr. Templeton has performed literally thousands of extractions during his dental career. The special expertise that Dr. Templeton brings can mean the difference between an infection after an extraction or not, or having a completed extraction or a partial extraction.
An oral surgeon is also better suited to handle complications. Even the most “routine” of tooth extractions can quickly become complicated. Teeth can break off or fracture in the middle of removal, bone or tissue may require removal, or sinus cavities can be exposed. Unfortunately, these complications often aren’t identifiable until the extraction has begun. An oral surgeon will have the skills and tools available to address the complication right away. Your regular dentist may not.
When is an Oral Surgeon Absolutely the Best Option for Tooth Extraction?
Complicated extractions necessitate a visit to an oral surgeon. Entangled or multiple curved roots, impacted teeth, overly large sinuses, teeth or bone infections, can all be considered complex extractions.
Cracked or fractured teeth are other examples when an oral surgeon is the best option. If a tooth is already fractured, it’s very likely to fracture further during extraction. An oral surgeon is better prepared to deal with these types of extractions than a dentist.
Finally, if you do not want to be awake for your extraction, you will need an oral surgeon. Dr. Templeton is trained and licensed in IV sedation and General Anesthesia and is certified in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Typically, a dentist will extract teeth only under local anesthesia – the same anesthesia you’d receive when having a cavity filled.
What Does the Recovery Process Entail after a Tooth Extraction?
A little bleeding, swelling and discomfort is normal after a tooth extraction. Sometimes you may experience discomfort when opening your mouth. This is due to muscle spasm or trismus, which usually heals on its own in a few days.
Here is a link to the post surgery instructions we give our patients after they have had a dental extraction as it will give you an idea of what the recovery process entails.
