EXTRACTIONS

Sometimes if a tooth is beyond repair from advanced stages of decay, we may recommend extraction.

Tooth extraction is sometimes unavoidable. A tooth may need to be extracted if broken or if it is damaged by decay or if the tooth has become very loose due to gum & bone disease (periodontitis). If possible we will try to fix it with a filling, RCT, a crown or some other treatment. Sometimes the tooth cannot be saved and must be removed.

Simple extractions

Extractions are performed under a local anaesthetic utilising special dental tools and instruments to remove the tooth from its socket. Our caring dentist’s will do everything they can to ensure our patients, experience very little discomfort throughout the procedure. We at Dentalini believe in pain-free dentistry!

Surgical extractions

If your problem tooth is in a difficult position, our Dentists may recommend a surgical extraction. In a surgical extraction a small incision (cut) is placed in the gums and sometimes a little bone is also removed. Sutures/ stitches are placed after removing the tooth.  In some cases (esp in regards to wisdom teeth) a referral to an oral surgeon may be given.

Here are some common reasons for extracting a tooth:

  • Extra teeth may be blocking other teeth from erupting

  • Serial extraction – done to assist with eruption & alignment of teeth, it also helps with orthodontic (braces) treatment.

  • Fitting of braces may require teeth extraction to create room in the mouth

  • Severely decayed teeth which cannot be saved.

  • Grossly broken teeth.

  • Periodontal (gum) disease leading to very tooth/ teeth.

  • Radiation treatment to the head and neck may require the removal of teeth in the field of radiation

  • Cancer drugs may result in infected teeth. These drugs weaken the immune system and increase the risk of infection. Infected teeth may need to be extracted

  • Organ transplant patients may need some teeth extracted if the teeth could become sources of infection. Organ transplant recipients have a high risk of infection because they must take drugs to decrease or suppress the immune system

  • Wisdom teeth (also called third molars) are often extracted either before or after they erupt. This usually happens in late teens or early 20s

  • Impacted wisdom teeth are teeth that are stuck in the jaw and can't erupt properly. They must be removed if they are decayed or cause pain

  • Some wisdom teeth are blocked by other teeth or there may be no room for them to erupt. This can irritate the gum, causing pain and swelling

If the removal is likely to result in an unsightly gap your dentist may discuss the options of replacing the missing tooth with an implant, a bridge or a removable denture to restore your original smile.