Dental Extractions Make Space For Important Dental Treatments

A Dental Extraction (Exodontia) is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, including tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to prevent restoration. Extractions of impacted or problematic wisdom teeth are routinely performed, as are extractions of some permanent teeth to make space for orthodontic treatment.

The most common reason for extraction is tooth damage due to breakage or decay. There are additional reasons for tooth extraction:
- Severe tooth decay or infection
- Extra teeth which are blocking other teeth from coming in.
- Severe gum disease which may affect the supporting tissues and bone
structures of teeth.
- In preparation for orthodontic treatment (braces)
- Teeth in the fracture line
- Fractured teeth.
- Insufficient space for wisdom teeth.
- Receiving radiation to the head and neck may require extraction of teeth in
the field of radiation.

Types of Extractions
Extractions are often categorized as "simple" or "surgical".
Dr. Bishop performs simple extractions on teeth that are visible in the mouth usually under local anaesthetic. Typically the tooth is lifted using an elevator and dental forceps, rocked back and forth until the supporting alveolar bone has been adequately widened to make the tooth loose enough to remove.

Surgical extractions involve the removal of teeth that cannot be easily accessed, either because they have broken under the gum line or because they have not erupted fully. Surgical extractions almost always require an incision. In a surgical extraction Dr. Bishop elevates the soft tissues covering the tooth and bone and removes some of the overlying and/or surrounding bone tissue. Frequently, the tooth may be split into multiple pieces to facilitate its removal.