If you have been told that you will need a surgical tooth extraction, it might cause some alarm in you. Maybe you have had a simple extraction before and know what to expect, but perhaps you are more nervous about the “surgical” extraction. If this is you, don’t worry, we are here to ease your anxiety about this process and procedure.
There are a few different situations where surgical extraction is indicated.
- Exo-impacted, semi-impacted or impacted: procedure is performed when the tooth does not erupt or reach a correct position within the estimated time. This is an example of a surgical procedure.
- root: procedure that removes remnants of roots, attached to the gums or located in the bone tissue; this is also an example of a surgical extraction.
- simple: commonly known for cases in which baby teeth are extracted, this procedure concerns teeth that were born healthy but suffered subsequent damage and yet are still below the gumline.
In reality, there is no large difference between simple and surgical extraction, as the entire tooth removal process is, without distinction, a surgical procedure. However, a simple extraction means generally that the tooth still exists, even if only partially, above the gumline, whereas a surgical extraction is a little more complicated. A surgical extraction is used when the tooth or tooth fragments are only below the gumline, so the surgeon must make incisions into the gums and possibly jawbone tissue in order to get at the tooth for extraction.
How is tooth extraction performed on the patient?
The process of performing tooth extraction depends on the clinical condition to be treated, since the technique presents particularities depending on the diagnosis. But, in general, these are the steps of simple tooth extraction surgery:
1. Anesthesia, making the procedure more comfortable for the patient. In surgical extraction, your surgeon might elect to use a general anesthesia if your case is complicated, rather than just a local anesthesia, which is used for simple extraction.
2. Syndesmotomy: the detachment of the tooth from the ligament that holds it in the socket.
3. tooth displacement with elevators, a type of surgical instrument common in the area of tooth extraction.
4. Adaptation of the forceps (surgical instrument that assists the professional in extraction) to the tooth, with movements of dental intrusion, rotation and traction.
5. Tooth dislocation with forceps; removal of the tooth from the alveolus, the cavity in which the tooth roots are located. In a surgical extraction, this might be more complicated than a simple extraction. If a tooth is trapped below the gumline, or if it is trapped behind bone tissue, it may be necessary for the surgeon to remove some of this tissue as well, making the procedure more complicated and possibly making the recovery time longer.
6. Suture, tying off blood vessels and bringing damaged tissue together.
If you have a surgical extraction, there will be more steps in preparation to remove the tooth. This will depend on the placement of the tooth in your mouth, but could involve other small surgical procedures.
Remember that, in simple cases, dentists with surgical experience are qualified to perform simple tooth extractions. However, in more complex cases, where surgical extraction is needed, it is best to seek out a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery, an experienced and qualified professional to examine, diagnose and perform the surgical procedure without complications. Please also note that if you need a surgical extraction, the cost might be more than a simple extraction and the healing time and aftercare might take longer than just a simple extraction. It is important to listen to your surgeon and follow their instructions for aftercare.