Procedures - Extractions

Extractions

Extraction is the complete removal of a primary or a permanent tooth. An Extraction can be surgical or non-surgical. This depends on the difficulty of the extraction and whether or not the tooth is impacted or erupted, and whether it has straight or curved roots.

An Extraction may be done by Dr. Evans, Dr. Nordin-Evans or Dr. Carney, or you may be referred to an Oral Surgeon (someone who specializes in difficult or surgical extractions). No one looks forward to an extraction, but modern anesthesia will help keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.

Reasons for an extraction are:

Advanced Gum Disease. This is the #1 reason adults loose their teeth!
An abscessed tooth that cannot be saved.
A tooth with decay too deep to save the tooth.
A tooth that has broken at the gum line and cannot be saved.
Impacted tooth (typically a "Wisdom Tooth")
Some Orthodontic cases require that one or more teeth be extracted.

If you have made the decision to remove a tooth, whether to avoid a root canal, or to eliminate an infected or root-canalled tooth, it is important that every effort be made to also clean the extraction socket of the tooth and bone well to help insure proper healing and prevention of a Cavitation.

At Groton Dental Wellness Spa we make every effort to extract teeth as atramatically as possible and to clean the bone as thoroughly as possible. The following represents the protocol followed:

Questions are answered and an informed consent form is explained to the patient and signed by the patient.
Enzymes and homeopathics are dispensed to those patients interested in an effort to minimize the trauma and subsequent post-operative swelling.
A biocompatible anesthetic is administered.
The tooth is extracted using the "Ogram" technique to minimize trauma to the remaining teeth and bone.
A sample of the tooth or bone may be sent in the form of a biopsy to a qualified pathologist to further verify and explain the disease process. In all cases, a biopsy is not taken, and if it desired, it should be requested by the patient prior to signing of the informed consent.
The extraction socket is then cleaned using hand and rotary curettage with sterile saline irrigation.
Hemostatic agents are used when necessary.
Sutures are placed to protect and maintain the blood clot that will form. This helps to prevent a "dry socket" from occurring.
Antibiotics and pain medications are prescribed when necessary.
Homecare and post-operative surgical instructions are reviewed and given to the patient.
Any follow-up visits are scheduled.

When an extraction is performed, it is important to put something in the place of the missing tooth or teeth. If the space is just left open, your teeth will shift and cause many unnecessary complications. An extracted tooth may be replaced by a temporary or permanent bridge, an implant, or by a partial or complete denture.

© Copyright 2002- Dental WebSmith, Inc. and Groton Dental Wellness Spa, LLP. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The information provided within is intended to help you better understand dental conditions and procedures. It is not meant to serve as delivery of medical or dental care. If you have specific questions or concerns, contact your health care provider.