Dental extractions today are far different from the teeth pulling of the past. With modern anesthetics and sedation techniques, the patient does not even have to feel any pain or be awake during the procedure. This article explains the tools used to extract teeth and what is done to replace them afterwards.
Sacramento, CA, May 15, 2017 (Newswire.com) - In general, dentists avoid extracting or “pulling” teeth, if at all possible. An infected tooth might be saved with a root canal procedure. Crowded teeth can be fixed by expanding the dental arches with orthodontics. Pinhole surgery can restore receding gums to solidify the foundation holding the teeth in place. Nevertheless, sometimes the dentists at the Sacramento Dentistry Group still need to perform an extraction due to trauma or extensive decay and damage.
Keeping Patients Comfortable
An extraction can be a frightening procedure for some dental patients, but pain during the procedure is usually prevented by the administration of local anesthetics. When that is not enough for the client, sedation techniques are used to prevent the patient from recalling any of the procedure. In effect, they sleep right through it and have no recollection of the extraction afterward. Some people aptly call this “sleep dentistry,” and it does wonders for those afraid of dental treatment.
The Implements of Extraction
Once the dentist has guaranteed that the patient will be relatively comfortable, the extraction begins with one or both of the following tools: forceps and elevators. An elevator is used to lift the tooth out of its socket. They come in various shapes, but are essentially a hand-held lever inserted beside the tooth in its socket and used to “elevate” it out.
The dental forceps are a hand-held set of dental pliers. They are used to grasp the crown of the tooth and rock it back and forth in the socket. Like the elevator, this separates the tooth from the tissues attaching it to the socket and creates extra space for wiggling the tooth free. When the tooth is finally loose enough, it can be pulled out with the forceps.
Every tooth is a little different, with its own root shape and socket structure. Nevertheless, the procedure is essentially the same for every patient. With quality care in advance and afterward, any pain is minimized. On the day of the extraction or at a later date, a restoration can be made to replace the missing tooth, such as a bridge or a dental implant. With multiple extractions, a denture may be crafted. And when the client agrees to use sedation, the procedure is over without the patient even realizing it and they are free to go home immediately afterward.
If you have a tooth that may need extraction, either because it is impacted (like many wisdom teeth) or damaged beyond repair, contact the Sacramento Dentistry Group for assistance. They can be reached via their website at sacramentodentistry.com or by calling 916-538-6900.
Source: Sacramento Dentistry Group
Share:
