Why are teeth extracted?

Today, due to the contribution of scientific and technological advancement to the science of dentistry, tooth extraction is aimed primarily for treating and keeping teeth at place, but in some cases tooth extraction is applied due to the patient’s health protection or planning of treatment. We can summarize these situations as follows:

• Teeth that cannot be recovered by treatment due to decays and substance loss at advanced level.

• Broken teeth, caused by an impact, to a point where treatment is not possible.

• Unrecoverable abscessed teeth despite root canal therapy.

• Loose teeth due to gum inflammation at advanced level.

• Milk teeth that did not fall in time.

• Problematic teeth due to an excessive change of position (rotation, tipping, etc.)

• Teeth in cyst or tumor.

• Impacted and problematic teeth.

• To help with orthodontic treatment due to space constraints, some teeth may be extracted even if smooth.

Why do teeth break during extraction?

Especially in the case of molar teeth, ie very rooted teeth, when the roots are very discrete or curved.

• Elderly people who have lost their bone elasticity.

• For those who have a very thick jaw bone that again is not elastic.

• Breaking may occur during extraction due to excess loss of material and fragile teeth.

This is not a situation to be feared of. If the anesthesia (numbness) is achieved successfully, the dentist removes the remaining parts painlessly with tools produced for this task.

What is an impacted tooth, and is extraction necessary?

Impacted teeth occur if; the jawbone around the tooth is too dense or the gum is too thick, the tooth cannot find a place to grow due to narrowness of the jaw clavicle, there is a premature loss of the milk teeth or the teeth remaining in the bone below the gum due to some diseases. If these teeth are causing infection or pain, are associated with tumor or cyst and cause the adjacent teeth to decay, then extraction is necessary.

What are the situations where a wisdom tooth needs to be extracted?

• DECAY: Saliva, bacteria and food particles accumulate in the newly emerging tooth and threaten both the wisdom tooth and the adjacent teeth. It is very difficult to recognize and treat such decays. Heavy scenarios leading to pain and infection and resulting in abscess can occur.

• GUM DISEASE: A partially grown wisdom tooth forms an infection center where bacteria and food residues can accumulate in the gum. This causes mouth odor, pain, edema, and trismusa (a state of incomplete opening of the mouth). Infection can be spread to the cheek and neck by the lymph.

• PRESSURE PAIN: If pressure is applied to adjacent teeth during growth, a pain can also be felt due to pressure. In some cases, this pressure causes abrasion.

• ORTHODONTIC REASONS: Many young people are receiving orthodontic treatment to correct the irregularities in their teeth. As the pressure of the growth of wisdom teeth is reflected in the other teeth, there will always be a movement in the other teeth, which may increase entanglement.

• PROSTHESIS RELATED SUBJECTS: It is necessary to take wisdom teeth into account when planning of prosthesis.

• CYST FORMATION: Cystic events that were caused by an impacted tooth have been observed. The cyst causes bone loss, jaw enlargement and displacement or damage of the adjacent teeth. To prevent bone loss, the tooth should be extracted and the cyst cleaned. Rarely, if this cyst spreads over a very large area, it may turn into tumors or it may lead to spontaneous breaking in the jawbone.

Why should a badly positioned wisdom tooth be extracted, even if not causing any discomfort?

A misplaced tooth alone is sufficient for infection. In such a case the mentioned problems will definitely happen. Moreover, such problems develop suddenly and unexpectedly.

• Wisdom teeth are found in areas difficult to reach with a brush and floss. Bacteria, acid and food residues that cause decay over time accumulate in this regions. If the tooth is decayed and not restored with a filling, the tooth will soon become inflamed.

• Since these teeth are difficult to keep clean, bacteria and food residues accumulate causing bad breath.

• An impacted tooth in a horizontal position under the gum creates pressure, which will result in movement, jamming and skewing of the other teeth.

• Bacteria accumulating under the gum over the impacted tooth lead to infection.

Post-Treatment Care

• The wound site should not be tampered with. Otherwise, pain, infection or bleeding may occur.

• Chewing should not be done with that side for the first 24 hours.

• Smoking for the first 24 hours is not allowed, because smoking increases bleeding and breaks healing.

• Spitting should not be done. Otherwise bleeding may increase and the clot may move from its place.

• Bleeding should be controlled. If no stitches were done, a sterile gauze dressing should be used. The tampon should be kept in mouth for half an hour for clot formation.

• Control of swelling. After the operation, apply a cold tampon to the area to slow down the circulation and prevent swelling of the face.