Teeth Extractions

Teeth Extractions

Why extraction?

There are times when it is necessary to remove a tooth due to non-restorability due to extent of the decay, infection, orthodontic correction (mal-position), problems with a wisdom tooth. Once a tooth has been removed, adjacent teeth may shift/drift, causing problems with chewing or with your jaw joint function. To avoid these complications, your dentist may recommend that you replace the extracted tooth with bridge, implant or denture/partial.

What is a wisdom teeth extraction?

When wisdom teeth are prevented from erupting into the mouth properly, they are referred to as impacted. Impacted teeth can result in infection, decay of adjacent teeth, gum disease or formation of a cyst or tumor from the follicle, which forms the crown of the tooth. Many dentists recommend removal of impacted wisdom teeth to prevent potential problems. When wisdom teeth are prevented from erupting into the mouth properly, they are referred to as impacted. Impacted teeth can result in infection, decay of adjacent teeth, gum disease or formation of a cyst or tumor from the follicle, which forms the crown of the tooth.

Many dentists recommend removal of impacted wisdom teeth to prevent potential problems.

What happens after the extraction?

After tooth extraction, the alveolar ridge will commonly decrease in volume and change morphologically. These changes are usually clinically significant and can make tooth replacement challenging in the aspect of achieving best aesthetic and functional results. The degree of residual ridge resorption is closely related to the time since tooth extraction in both maxilla and mandible. The loss of bone volume is greatest in the early post extraction period. The width of the alveolar ridge decreases ~50% and two-thirds of the reduction occurred within the first 3 months. If bone resorbtion is significant enough, then placement of an implant may become extremely challenging. Post-extraction maintenance in form of socket perservation of the alveolar ridge minimizes residual ridge resorbtion and thus optimal aesthetic and functional results can be achieved with conventional bridge or implant or partial or denture when restoring a missing tooth.