Your teeth are the unsung heroes of your smile, but even they have their limits. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, teeth become damaged beyond repair. When decay, infection, or injury compromises a tooth’s integrity, extraction may be the only solution. In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons why tooth extraction becomes necessary, the procedure itself, and what to expect during recovery.

Let’s dive into the world of oral health and discover when it’s time to say goodbye to a troubled tooth.

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What Is Tooth Extraction?

Sometimes, teeth are better removed than kept. Tooth extraction becomes a necessary measure when a tooth becomes unhealthy or severely damaged. Nevertheless, dentists prioritize preserving your natural teeth–they try their best to resort to extraction only when it’s unavoidable. However, if the situation calls for it, tooth extractions are well-regarded for their safety and are among the most frequently performed dental procedures around the world.

Commonly known as “pulling a tooth”, the tooth extraction process involves removing the damaged tooth from the tooth socket after applying a local anesthetic to mitigate the process. After extraction, a blood clot will form to stem the bleeding and start the healing process. To ensure it goes smoothly, you should keep the extraction site protected and as clean as possible.

Although permanent teeth were meant to last a lifetime, excessive tooth decay, tooth infection, and crowding can all require a tooth extraction. Depending on your dental situation, a dentist or oral surgeon performs this perfectly safe dental treatment. Removing visible teeth is a simple extraction. However, teeth that are broken, below the surface, or impacted require a more involved surgical procedure.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction in Dubai

Although no one enjoys it, in some cases, getting your natural tooth pulled out is the only option to maintain oral health. Teeth removal is considered if:

●     There isn’t enough space for your tooth to erupt, becoming an impacted tooth.

●     Crowded teeth are preventing orthodontic treatment and imposing aesthetic challenges.

●     There is a risk of infection in immunocompromised patients (having an impaired immune system).

●     A severe case of gum disease manifests, causing teeth to loosen and hurt.

●     The tooth is fractured beyond repair or poses a risk to neighboring or adjacent teeth.

●     Root canal fails to resolve a serious infection.

●     The tooth is damaged beyond repair by trauma or severe decay.

What Happens If You Ignore Tooth Extraction?

Ignoring tooth extraction can lead to a cascade of problems, ranging from increased dental pain to serious risk of complications. Here’s what could happen:

Worsening Pain: Initially, dental pain or discomfort signaled the need for tooth extraction, and neither is likely to go away on its own. A dull ache might turn into a throbbing, persistent pain that disrupts sleep and daily activities.

Infection Spread: Once your tooth pulp is infected, it’s due for an extraction. Otherwise, the infection spreads through the root canal to the jawbone, causing swelling, redness, and a world of pain.

Bone Damage: A persistent infection in the jawbone is a serious condition. It leads to bone loss and can affect surrounding teeth, hindering future dental treatments such as implants.

Risk of Sepsis: Upping the ante, a severe infection from an abscessed tooth may enter the bloodstream in some rare cases and cause sepsis–a life-threatening condition.

Reduced Quality of Life: Constant pain can significantly impact your ability to sleep, eat, and concentrate, affecting your daily life and overall well-being. Furthermore, pain, swelling, and potential bad breath caused by an abscessed tooth can make social interaction difficult and embarrassing.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction Vs. Normal Tooth Extraction

Wisdom tooth and normal extractions share the same principle–removing a tooth. However, they are different in several areas.

Reason for Extraction

Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, often erupt later in life and can cause crowding, impaction (stuck in the jawbone), or other problems. They are often proactively removed to prevent future issues.

Normal Teeth: Regular teeth might need extraction due to decay, infection, severe damage, or gum disease.

Complexity of Procedure

Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom tooth extraction can be more complex, especially if they are impacted. It often requires a surgical approach with anesthesia in a dentist’s office or oral surgeon’s clinic.

Normal Teeth: Regular tooth extraction can often be a simpler procedure performed by a dentist in their office using local anesthesia.

Recovery

Wisdom Teeth: Due to the potential for surgical intervention and the location of the wisdom teeth, recovery from wisdom teeth extraction can be longer and more uncomfortable than a normal extraction. It might involve swelling, post-operative pain, and dietary restrictions.

Normal Teeth: Recovery from a normal extraction is usually swifter and less demanding, with minimal swelling and discomfort.

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