Extractions

The teeth form an integral part of our bodies and help us with biting and chewing food, phonetics, give a fuller look to the jaws and face, allow us to sport a beautiful smile, among many other things. But, dental issues could upset one’s oral health and lead to issues such as cavities, gum diseases, displeasing aesthetics, etc.

In such cases, tooth extraction may be in order to save the patient from a lot of pain and to prevent the infection, if any, from spreading to the nearby teeth, gums, and jawbone. Dr. McGraw is a highly-experienced dentist operating from Scotts Valley, CA. Over his long-spanning career, he has helped his patients get better smiles by offering them excellent service.

What is dental extraction?

A dental extraction is the complete removal of a tooth from its socket. Extraction would be required in cases of extreme tooth decay, external trauma, root canal infections, orthodontic treatment, impacted wisdom teeth, etc. As dentists, we try our best to retain the natural tissues of the mouth. We recommend a tooth to be extracted only when it is absolutely necessary to prevent further complications.

Need for tooth extraction

• External trauma:The teeth may break, crack or chip due to a hard blow to the mouth or a bad fall. Though the enamel is a pretty strong substance, it could crack under high impact forces. A damaged tooth could be vulnerable to the microbes in the mouth and get easily infected. Moreover, it can cause immense pain and swelling when left untreated. Hence, getting it extracted is the best way to prevent oral complications.
• Decay: The tartar deposits on the teeth could end up infecting a tooth so badly that the internal layers of the teeth (the dentine and root canal) suffer decay. It can cause pain, extreme sensitivity, the release of pus, etc. We would try to restore it by removing the decay and applying a filling to it. But, when the severity of decay is too bad, it is best to get it extracted to prevent the spread of the infection.
• Orthodontics: Treating malocclusion using braces or Invisalign would require some space for the teeth to move. The dentist allows this by extracting teeth on either side of the jaw so that the remaining teeth have ample space to move into their right positions.
• Impacted wisdom teeth: Wisdom teeth are the anterior-most teeth and are the last ones to emerge. In certain cases, they end up getting stuck in between the jawbone and the gums, causing immense pain and putting the other teeth at risk of infection. To save the patient from the pain, dentists recommend getting impacted wisdom teeth extracted.

Tooth extractions are some of the simplest dental procedures. Local anesthesia will be administered to numb the gums, teeth, and the jawbone. It will be firmly gripped using forceps and shaken to loosen it from the socket. When it is loose enough, it will be pulled out in one firm motion, thereby removing the tooth along with the root. You will be asked to bite into a piece of gauze to control the bleeding and to form a clot. Medication will be given to make sure it heals properly.

Schedule an online appointment or call us at (831) 438-1861 to have a consultation with Dr. McGraw and we’ll be able to guide you further.