The main reasons for pulling teeth are:
– If the tooth is too badly damaged or decayed to be repaired or saved
– Your dentist may recommend removing a tooth for the purposes of facilitating orthodontic treatment. In some cases if teeth are too big for the mouth, or a tooth will interfere with the teeth straightening process, your dentist may advise that it is removed.
– It may be necessary to remove a tooth if there is disease in the pulp which has not been successfully treated by root canal therapy. By removing the tooth the threat of the disease spreading further is negated.
– Periodontal (Gum) Disease. If an infection of the tissues and bones that surround and support the teeth have caused loosening of the teeth, it may be necessary to the pull the tooth or teeth.
Extractions
At Northside Dental we endeavour to help our patients keep their own teeth as much as possible, but sometimes as an absolute last resort it can be necessary to extract teeth from a patient’s mouth.
Dentists and oral surgeons (dentists with special training to perform surgery) perform tooth extractions. Before pulling the tooth, your dentist will give you an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. If you are having more than one tooth pulled or if a tooth is impacted, your dentist may use a strong general anesthetic. This will prevent pain throughout your body and make you sleep through the procedure.
If the tooth is impacted, the dentist will cut away gum and bone tissue that cover the tooth and then, using forceps, grasp the tooth and gently rock it back and forth to loosen it from the jaw bone and ligaments that hold it in place. Sometimes, a hard-to-pull tooth must be removed in pieces.