Surgical Extractions
Surgical Extractions
Even with proper dental care, teeth still age, decay or can fracture. Many teeth everyday are repaired with fillings or crowns but in some circumstances the tooth needs to be removed.
What is a Simple Tooth Extraction?
If there is adequate tooth structure above the gums and there are no other complicating factors such as impaction, curved roots, fractured roots, blood thinning medications or medications that affect bone healing, then in many cases a simple tooth extraction is performed at the Dentist without any issues. The simple tooth extraction is performed without any incisions, removal of bone or need to section the tooth into small pieces to facilitate safe removal away from nerves or adjacent anatomic structures. If there is not enough tooth structure above the gum to facilitate a simple tooth extraction, then a surgical extraction may be required. The tooth’s shape, size and position also affect whether it is removed with a simple or more involved surgical extraction.
What is a Surgical Extraction?
When your Dentist refers you to Dr Webster, a Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, for a surgical extraction it is to ensure the tooth is removed or managed with the highest level of expertise and with minimal risk of complications. Surgical extractions can be performed under local anaesthetic (patient awake) or under general anaesthetic (patient asleep).
When the gum tissue covers the tooth, an incision is required to expose the tooth for removal. Similarly, if bone is covering the tooth (as per impaction cases) the surgical bone removal is required to fully expose the tooth and, often the tooth for removal is then sectioned into small segments to facilitate a minimally invasive removal of the tooth. If a surgical extraction is recommended, then sutures will be placed to facilitate faster healing and lower the risk of complications in the recovery period.
With the exception of wisdom teeth, Dr Webster will also discuss the role of dental implants in replacement of extracted teeth to prevent bone loss and provide the gold standard tooth replacement option that feels the most like your own tooth. Dental implants should always be discussed before consenting to removal of any tooth as the procedure to place a dental implant can often be performed at the time of the surgical extraction. Surgical extractions are just the first step to returning your mouth to optimum oral health and functionality.
What is the time required for Surgical Extraction?
The time required to perform the procedure with depend on many factors:
- Position of the tooth
- Depth of an impaction
- Length and curvature of the roots
- Thickness of surrounding bone
- Proximity to critical structures such as nerves and blood vessels.
- Patient factors such as anxiety, mouth opening, TMJ disorders and medications.
Do you need a Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon for Surgical Extractions?
While simple tooth extractions occur often in the general Dentist’s practice, only some dental practices offer surgical extractions. Patients with difficult impacted teeth or severely damaged or decayed teeth will often be referred to a specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. If the tooth to be removed is in a position where you are likely to want a tooth replaced with a dental implant either immediately on the same day or in the future, then it is important to speak to Dr John Webster at the Oral Facial & Implant Centre in Toowoomba before the tooth is removed to avoid unnecessary bone grafting, added cost and added treatment time.
Are there any post-operative instructions following Surgical Extractions?
At the initial consultation with Dr John Webster you will be provided with a set of post-operative instructions that are evidence-based to optimise healing and minimise pain, discomfort and complications during the recovery phase of oral surgery.
How can you book in for your Surgical Extraction?
If you would like to know how we can help you further, or to book a no obligation initial consultation or book in for consultation and same day surgical extraction please phone 07 4580 4733
or alternatively request an appointment now online.
