DENTAL EXTRACTION

Tooth extraction involves removing a tooth from its socket in the jawbone.

Before extraction is considered, every effort will be made to try to repair and restore your tooth. Unfortunately, sometimes this cannot be avoided.

 

Reasons for an extraction:

• Severe tooth damage / trauma: extensive tooth decay and damage (broken / cracked) teeth that cannot be repaired.

• Advanced periodontal disease (periodontitis): high tooth mobility due to excessive bone loss.

• Tooth misalignment / non-functional teeth: misaligned and / or essentially useless teeth that do not have antagonistic (opposite) teeth.

• Orthodontic treatment: removal of teeth to make space for improved tooth alignment in the jaw arch.

• Impacted teeth (teeth retained in the jawbone)

• Extra / supranumerary teeth: supranumerary teeth may block other teeth from erupting

• Radiation: head and neck radiation therapy may require the extraction of teeth in the field of radiation in order to avoid possible complications, such as an infection.

• Chemotherapy: chemotherapy weakens the immune system, increases the risk of tooth infection and increases the risk of extraction.

• Organ transplant: Immunosuppressive medications prescribed after organ transplantation can increase the chance of tooth infection. Therefore, some teeth require removal prior an organtransplantation.

 

"Dry" alveolitis (alveolitis sicca):

A common complication after a tooth extraction occurs when a blood clot has not formed in the alveolus (gum socket) or when the blood clot has dislodged. This leaves the underlying bones and nerves exposed to air and food. The common, rather painful, "dry" socket usually occurs two to five days after extraction and can cause a bad smell (halitosis) and taste.

“Dry” alveolitis is most commonly associated with difficult or traumatic extractions. It occurs more often in smokers, people with poor oral hygiene habits.