Tooth
Extractions
a last resort to keep your mouth disease free
Tooth extractions are a last resort to keep your mouth disease free. They are always completely painless, as they are carried out with local anaesthetic.
There are various occasions when this may be carried out, including:
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a catastrophically fractured tooth
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so much decay that the tooth cannot be filled
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if all other restorative options have been exhausted
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in some cases of trauma
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advanced periodontal disease (gum disease)
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orthodontic reasons
Teeth are removed by widening the tooth socket and then wiggling the tooth out in a pain free way. You may feel pressure during the procedure, but at no stage will you feel pain.
Extractions can be very easy or very complicated, sometimes best carried out by a specialist oral surgeon.
Dr Gallop will discuss all options with you if an extraction may be required.
Lower Wisdom Teeth
Some teeth can be a little more complex to remove. The most common cases of these are lower wisdom teeth. Normally in your 20’s, you could experience recurrent infections around your lower wisdom teeth. These are called Pericoronitis. This occurs when plaque, bacteria and food gets stuck under the part of gum which covers the wisdom teeth, and the gum becomes inflamed. The wisdom tooth may be impacted against the tooth in front causing a food trap and therefore a potential for decay in this tooth.
Risks...
The reason lower wisdom teeth are more complex to remove is because they can have a very close association to an important nerve, the Inferior Alveolar Nerve, which supplies sensation to your lips and chin. It can also affect your Lingual Nerve, which supplies sensation to your tongue.
Careful examination of your teeth and x- rays can reveal whether there could be risks involved for you. they have a very low incidence, but Dr Gallop will discuss them and the procedure thoroughly with you.
If we feel that you will benefit from specialist treatment, we will discuss this with you and organize a referral. You may also choose to have a form of sedation or general anaesthetic for your treatment.