Hey there! In this section of the website, I will be talking specifically about extractions in general. If you want to know about wisdom tooth, click here to view that page
At times. When you got to say goodbye to an old friend you just got to do it.
Dental extractions (or known as “taking your tooth out”)
Dental extractions is the act of having your tooth taken out. It is a relatively straightforward procedure which can done within one appointment.
How do you guys do it?
We are able to help you take out your tooth using two different ways:
- Local anaesthetics: just like when you get a filling. We will put local anesthetics around your tooth and take it out. You will be fully awake and conscious for this procedure but won’t feel any pain.
- Conscious IV sedation: this method will generally take more than one appointment as we need to assess you with a certified IV sedation doctor of your medical status (to see if you can ’go under’ safely). Once you are sedated we will still give you local anesthetics and proceed to help you remove your tooth. This method is great for those who need to have their teeth taken out but are very anxious about it.
Why do I need to have my tooth taken out?
Here are some reasons:
- Impacting wisdom tooth.
- ’Extra’ tooth (supernumary tooth) that is not part of the normal tooth development.
- Teeth that are broken down (due to decay or trauma) that it will be more beneficial to have it taken out.
- Severe infections or decay of the tooth.
- Orthodontic purposes (such as creating space so that the rest of your tooth can be properly aligned).
- Fractured tooth
- Gum disease in the advanced stage (where the supporting bone and tissues cannot hold the tooth any longer)
What are some of my treatment options after I have my tooth taken out?
Here are some of the possible treatment options once you have your tooth taken out, with its advantages and disadvantages:
| Treatment option | Advantages (+) | Disadvantages (-) |
|---|---|---|
| Dental implants | + Fixed to your existing bone + The closest thing to having your original tooth + Long term lifespan + High success rate + Prevents and/or reduces bone resorption | - Cost - Involvement of multiple dentists and dental specialists |
| Maryland/Resin bonded bridge | + Relative lower cost compared to dental implants + Medium term + Fixed to the adjacent tooth after conservative preparation | - Limited to the upper front tooth only - Will not prevent bone resorption - There will be a chance of debonding over time (i.e. the bridge unit comes off) but on the plus side it can be rebonded easily |
| Conventional Bridge * We personally view this as an outdated method ever since dental implants have been introduced | + Fixed to the adjacent teeth | - The need to prepare and drill the adjacent teeth (big disadvantage if the tooth had never had a filling) - Not suitable if you have multiple large gaps to fill - Relatively complex procedure - Will not prevent bone resorption (can result from the tooth being replaced under the bridge to have large gaps and food trap). |
| Dentures | + Relatively quick to make + Conservative preparation of the existing tooth in order to make the denture stay in. + Good, economical option to fill in multiple gaps in your teeth | - Will not prevent bone resorption - Because of this, the denture will need to be serviced at least once every 6 months in order to allow the base of the denture to match the change in the bone height. - Not fixed in the mouth - Needs to be removed every night - Good oral hygiene is a must, otherwise the denture can cause the other tooth that is holding it to loosen and exacerbate gum diseases. - Potential poor tolerance due to people whom have oversensitive gag-reflexes - May reduce your taste sensations - May reduce your ability to bite on foods compared to having natural teeth. |
| Do nothing (i.e. not replacing the tooth) | + Viable choice due to the costs of dental treatment | - The alveolar bone where the tooth has been taken will slowly resorb over time once the tooth is lost. - Because of the above problem, it can make future replacement of your tooth more complex (adding to the cost of treatment). - Potential aesthetic concern. - Potential for drifting, rotation and over-eruption of adjacent teeth into the gap over time - Possible gum problems in the future due to the above scenario |
So what’s the best for me?
Each person has their own unique needs so it is difficult to tell. The best way to know what you need is to contact us and I’ll sit down with you to go through the best option with you in person.
Here are some extra materials to help explain/entertain you about extractions:
Awkward Yeti comic about wisdom tooth:
Video showing you how we surgically remove a wisdom tooth:
Here’s Ron Swanson’s take on extraction:
