Simple Extraction

Simple (non-surgical) extraction

• • Simple (non-surgical) extraction:

When it comes to sorting out tooth damage caused by injury or decay, your dentist will always make every effort to conserve your natural tooth. However, there are some situations where extracting a tooth is actually the wisest choice, such as when the tooth has been damaged beyond repair, the patient is not a good fit for a root canal treatment, or there is a case of overcrowding that cannot be readily handled with orthodontic treatment plans.

 

• • • The process of getting a simple tooth extraction:

Your dentist will decide whether you are a candidate for a simple (non-surgical) tooth extraction. They will confirm that the tooth has straight roots and has enough intact structure above the gum line to be grasped and manipulated. They will also review your health history and ask you to abstain from using blood thinning medications temporarily on the days surrounding the extraction procedure. Once they have decided that simple tooth extraction is an appropriate treatment plan, your dentist will:

 

• • • Administer anesthetic: To make sure that the process is as smooth, stress-free, and comfortable as possible, your dentist will inject a local anesthetic into the area surrounding the tooth to be extracted. They may choose to apply a topical anesthetic gel/paste before the injection, to minimize any discomfort caused by the anesthetic injection itself.
    • Release periodontal ligament fibers: Regardless of the condition of the tooth to be extracted, the periodontal ligament fibers that suspend the tooth from the bony socket must be released, for the tooth to be successfully extracted.
    • Loosen and elevate the tooth. A special dental tool called an elevator is used to make the loose tooth even looser. This works due to the bony socket around the tooth being malleable, and the elevator basically expands the socket just enough to allow the tooth to be extracted.
    • Deliver the tooth from the mouth: Using a dental tool called forceps, the dentist will grasp the previously loosened tooth, and remove it from the oral cavity.
    • Perform ridge conservation where needed: In several cases, your dentist will suggest that you replace the extracted tooth immediately. Where this has been approved, your dentist may instantly follow a simple tooth extraction with ridge conservation via socket graft procedure. This mainly consists of placing bone graft material in the newly evacuated socket, to slow down the process of bone reabsorption. This can help to ensure that the bony ridge remains at the same dimensions, and will consequently be better capable of supporting the replacement tooth structure. When this procedure does not occur immediately after simple tooth extraction, the bony ridge instantly begins to disintegrate, which can affect the success of future tooth replacement.
    • Reduce bleeding: While there are no major blood vessels in tooth sockets, simple tooth extraction can still cause bleeding. Your dentist will apply pressure to the tooth socket, to reduce this bleeding to minimal levels.
    • Give you post-operative instructions. Depending upon your specific dental situation and medical condition, your dentist will give you post-operative instructions to help you recover comfortably from the extraction procedure. This is the perfect time to discuss with your dentist any inquiries or concerns you may have.

 
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