Dental Extraction Process

Simple tooth extractions are the most common in the world of dentistry.  During a simple tooth extraction , the dentist will remove the tooth by loosening the gums around the socket. They will grasp the tooth with forceps and move it from side to side until they can get it to break free from the socket and remove it.

Your teeth are held to the bone by a thin piece of soft tissue.  This soft tissue is known as the periodontal ligament.  Dr. Hogan uses this tissue to remove the tooth.  As previously stated, the key to removing a tooth by pulling is to rock the tooth from side to side, which enlarges the socket in the bone and breaks the ligament that helps to hold the tooth in place.

Simple extractions don’t take long to complete. Dr. Hogan will most likely numb your mouth (or just around the operation area) before they start, this is so you won’t feel any discomfort during the treatment.  Depending on the tooth, pulling it will normally take just a few minutes after you have been numbed with local anesthesia.

Once the operation is completed, Dr. Hogan will place gauze in your mouth to bite on to reduce any excessive bleeding. Dr. Hogan will then give you specific post-op instructions. These instructions are tailored around your unique medical and dental needs. After your instructions are given, you will be free to go. Be sure to schedule a follow-up appointment to make sure everything is working as it should.

Dealing with an infected, decayed or impacted tooth can be a painful encounter, and a simple extraction, or removal, may be the best course of action to address the issue.  But once the initial problem has been addressed by extracting the tooth, other long term problems can arise if the empty space in the arch is not addressed quickly.  Missing teeth can cause the healthy adjacent teeth to become unstable, shift and eventually fall out.

Furthermore, the underlying bone in the area that once held the extracted tooth can become to become weak and deteriorate.  For this reason, it is critical to address any missing teeth quickly.  Missing teeth can be replaced with a dental implants or a dental bridge , depending on their location and the condition of the adjacent teeth and gums.

For more information on dental extractions, contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hogan. Our friendly and knowledgeable team at Smiles by Hogan is here to answer any questions you might have about all things dental related. We’re located in the Mt. Pleasant area in South Carolina.

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