There are two types of extraction: simple and surgical. Simple extraction is done under local anesthetic and using only forceps (as well as other tools used for grasping the tooth) and a dental elevator. The tooth is rocked back and forth until the tooth is loose enough to remove. The process is usually done on visible teeth. Surgical extraction, on the other hand, requires more complex tools like drills and other devices for cutting or breaking the tooth into multiple pieces. The process is usually done for teeth that are not easily accessible such as an impacted tooth and may require the tooth to be broken into different pieces for easier extraction.

What are the common reasons for undergoing tooth extraction? As mentioned earlier, one is for severe tooth decay or other teeth and gum diseases. Removing the infected tooth would be the best immediate solution to prevent the spread of the problem to other teeth. The same is true for gum diseases that could affect the way the gum tissues are attached to the tooth.

Teeth that are blocking the way for other teeth also require extraction to leave space for the growing tooth. This case applies as well to wisdom teeth that have insufficient space to grow on. This causes impaction of the tooth and is called an impacted third molar. If you're being prepared for an orthodontic treatment, like Inivisalign aligners to be set by a Dayton invisalign dentist, any problematic teeth will have to go.

Since losing a tooth after extraction will give you an open wound in your gums, there are possible complications that may occur afterwards. One of the most common would be swelling. It has a greater chance of taking place on a surgical extraction since a surgical flap has to be elevated during the process. Another complication that may arise would be prolonged bleeding. There plenty of ways to address this issue but biting on a gauze seems to be a fairly common option. Putting pressure on the bleeding area helps in controlling the amount of bleeding. Infections rarely happen but they do on occasion. Contact your dentist as soon as possible so he can provide you with a prescription on what antibiotic to use.

There are more serious complications that could arise after a tooth extraction. One of these is having Alveolar osteitis. It usually occurs after a few days from extraction of the lower wisdom tooth. The only symptom is a painful sensation that radiates up and down the neck. It neither an infection or caused by swelling as it occurs entirely within the bone. Another complication is nerve injury to either the lingual nerve or the inferior alveolar nerve. The chance of it occurring depends on the nerve's proximity to the surgical area. The injury may occur while lifting the teeth but most commonly caused by damage from a surgical drill. Displacement of the tooth, or a fragment of it, entering the sinus can also occur. In this case, the tooth must be retrieved. Depending on the situation, a surgery may be required for opening a "window" for retrieving the sinus or it may also be retrieved through the opening where it entered. If you have any problems or encounter any dental emergency, contact a Dayton emergency dentist right away to have it checked.