What is a tooth extraction?
A simple tooth extraction involves removing a tooth that has erupted through the gums completely and is visible in the mouth. A surgical extraction consists of removing teeth that have either not erupted or have erupted only partially. The dentist performs both simple and surgical tooth extractions in his clinic. For surgical extractions, such as for impacted wisdom teeth, your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon.
When is a tooth extraction necessary?
Teeth may need removal for a number of reasons. While we take great measures to save an extremely decayed or infected tooth, some patients are not good candidates for root canal procedures. Other times, extraction is the best option to help treat an infection and prevent it from spreading. Teeth that are already loose from advanced periodontal disease, as well as teeth that are fractured beneath the gum line, are also good candidates for extraction.
What are the aftercare instructions for a tooth extraction?
After your extraction, your dentist will ask you to bite on a piece of gauze to help control bleeding. After about an hour, a blood clot will form in the socket. Disturbing the blood clot can compromise the healing process, so don't do anything that will dislodge it, such as spitting, sucking on a straw, or smoking, within the first 24 hours. The dentist will give you specific instructions for aftercare, but generally speaking, you should only consume a soft diet and avoid brushing your teeth for the first day to keep the clot intact.
You may place an ice pack on your cheek near the extraction site to prevent swelling, and be sure to follow your dentist's instructions for taking pain medications. After the site has completely healed, you should return to the dental office for a consultation on replacing your missing tooth with a bridge, partial denture, or dental implant restoration.
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What is a root canal?
A root canal is the space within a tooth that houses the tooth roots. Depending on its location, a tooth can have one to four root canals. Root canals run from the tip of the tooth root to the pulp chamber, which is the soft center of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels that nourish the tooth and transmit pain signals.
When is a root canal treatment necessary?
When the tooth pulp becomes exposed due to a fracture, breakage, or decay, bacteria and debris can enter this space and cause inflammation and infection of the tooth nerves. Unlike with infections in other areas of the body, an infected tooth root cannot heal itself, as its degenerated blood, lymph, and nerve tissue cannot transport white blood cells to help fight the infection. A root canal treatment, which consists of removing the infected tissues in the root canals and pulp chamber, is necessary to clear up the infection. Without treatment, the infection could spread to the jawbone and beyond, resulting in tooth loss and widespread bodily infection.
Does a root canal procedure hurt?
While root canal treatments have a bad reputation for being painful, they are no more uncomfortable than any other dental procedure. Many patients only need the help of a local anesthetic to undergo this procedure comfortably, but we also offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation to help nervous patients relax.
How is a root canal treatment performed?
After ensuring that you are comfortable with local anesthesia and possibly sedation, your dentist will create an opening to gain access to the pulp chamber. The next step is cleaning and shaping the pulp chamber and root canals, which involves removing nerve tissues, debris, and bacteria and then sculpting the sides of the canals. Shaping the canals ensures that they can be filled and sealed off properly.
Your root canals will then be sealed with a rubber material called gutta percha, and a filling will be placed on top of that to close the opening in the tooth. Depending on how much tooth structure has been removed, your dentist may also recommend placement of a crown at a later date to help strengthen the tooth structure.