Wisdom Teeth & Tooth Extraction
Our main goal at Pathway Dental in Christchurch is to help you preserve your teeth for as long as possible. However, there are times where a tooth has sustained damage beyond repair and tooth extraction is the only option available.
Wisdom tooth extraction
Wisdom teeth are a set of third molars, that normally start to appear in your late teens. For most people, they do not cause any problems, but in some cases, they need to be removed.
The main reason for having a wisdom tooth extraction is because they have become stuck (impacted) and there is no room for them in your mouth. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause ongoing pain, become infected, or cause damage to neighbouring molars.
Wisdom teeth no longer provide a useful function and if they are causing a problem, then it's better to have them removed. Unlike regular teeth, extracting wisdom teeth usually requires a surgical approach. If wisdom teeth are causing ongoing pain we strongly recommend making an appointment with the dentists at Pathway Dental to assess and plan the best option for their removal.
Tooth Extraction
Removing a tooth can vary from a simple tooth extraction to a complicated surgical procedure. An initial consult with one of our dentists will involve discussing the options available, and which one is best suited to your needs.
Once the tooth has been removed, it is usual for it to be replaced as a missing tooth can lead to the movement or drifting of nearby teeth. This destabilisation can create more problems in your mouth and so we will discuss the best treatment option for you.
We are experts in tooth extractions and will make the procedure as painless and easy as possible. Call us today on 03 366 8866 or request an appointment below.
Reasons for a Tooth Extraction
Reasons to have a tooth removed include:
- severe tooth decay
- gum disease
- broken beyond repair
- abscesses
- overcrowding
- an impacted wisdom tooth.
You may require only one appointment or multiple, depending on how many teeth need to be removed and the complexity of the replacement tooth/teeth. This will be discussed with you during the initial consultation. During the course of treatment, your teeth will be prepped for the extraction. Removal is usually done under a local anaesthetic.
Tooth Extraction Procedure
The tooth extraction procedure itself is fairly simple. A local anaesthetic is injected into the affected area. Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, your dentist will begin to remove the tooth. You don’t have to watch if you don’t want to, and you won’t feel any pain. It generally only takes a few minutes to remove a tooth.
To begin with, the tooth socket is widened, and then your dentist will gently rock the tooth from side to side until it feels loose enough for it to be removed entirely. You may hear some odd-sounding noises, but rest assured they are completely normal to your dentist and no cause for alarm. You may also feel a bit of pressure in your mouth, also normal, but you will feel no pain.
Once removed, the empty tooth socket will be closed with stitches, and you will be allowed to go home. We recommend someone staying with you for the next 24 hours, as you may feel some pain and a little uncomfortable. In other words, in need of some TLC.
There are several methods of replacing a missing tooth such as Dentures, Implants, and Bridges.