Tooth Extractions

Tooth extraction is usually relatively straightforward. It is usually performed quickly while the individual is awake by using local anesthetic injections to eliminate painful sensations. Local anesthetic blocks pain, but mechanical forces are still felt.

Tooth extraction is the forced removal of a tooth, using forceps, from the dental alveolus or the socket in the alveolar bone (alveolar bone is the bone with sockets surrounding the roots of the teeth), due to various reasons such as:

• Tooth decay
• Tooth damage
• Extremely loose tooth
• Overcrowding of teeth in the mouth
• Tooth not able to erupt through the gum
• Baby teeth not falling out in time, to make way for the growth of permanent teeth
• A patient requiring radiation to the head or neck, due to certain medical conditions, and may need to have the teeth lying in the areas of radiation extracted
• Impacted wisdom teeth which cause gum pain and swelling