When Are Tooth Extractions Necessary?

Tooth extractions are a dental procedure in which the tooth needs to be removed from its socket. Most of the time, tooth extractions might need to be performed by dental surgeons, but general dentists might also be capable of doing this surgery.

Tooth extractions might sound scary at first, and even more if you haven’t gone through that process before. Some might believe that a tooth extraction is only necessary when the tooth shows signs of damage, shows signs of decay, etc.

However, teeth might need to be extracted due to a number of different reasons other than just cosmetic ones.

           You might need a tooth extraction for the following reasons:

• If the tooth shows signs of severe damage and cannot be repaired with a cosmetic procedure (such as a crown).
• If the tooth shows evidence  of severe decomposition/decay. The bacteria that is produced  by the decay can reach the center of the tooth which may cause a severe infection and, if remaining untreated, might spread  to other teeth. This can also be treated using a root canal procedure. 
• If the tooth is impacted with another one (in this case, a piece of bone might need to be removed to access the tooth) and cannot come in properly. This mostly happens with wisdom teeth. A tooth is impacted when it can’t come out due to another tooth blocking  it, or when the gums did not erupt to their fullest and prevent it from coming out.
• If the elimination of teeth overcrowding is needed.
• If the patient  had an accident  (this procedure is only needed if the tooth cannot be preserved or saved).
• If a dental procedure requires the tooth to be removed.

For the tooth  to be extracted, the dental surgeon/dentist  will evaluate  your medical background  and have you undergo some tests  just to make sure everything is ready to start the procedure. The dental surgeon/dentist  will offer you the methods  that can suit you the best. 

Types of extraction procedures:

There are 2 different types  of dental extractions. The right type  of extraction  will be chosen based on the complexity  of the necessary procedure:

Simple extractions:

A simple extraction is usually needed  when the procedure  can be performed  on a tooth  that is visible in the mouth. This can usually be done using local anesthesia.

Surgical extractions:

This will need to be performed if the tooth is not visible in the mouth and cannot be easily accessed. This procedure is needed when the tooth has not grown in yet or if it's broken under the gumline.

This procedure is more complex; an incision might need to be performed to elevate the tissues that are covering the tooth and expose it. If it’s necessary, the tooth might be broken into multiple pieces to make its removal easier.

These extractions are usually performed using general anesthesia.

Tooth extractions are considered to be the last resort of dental solutions; the goal is to preserve your permanent and/or existing teeth as long as it is possible to do so.

Tooth extractions are commonly performed on wisdom teeth; sometimes, wisdom teeth can end up impacting other teeth or the gum tissue, or cause pain while growing into the mouth.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are known as your third pair of molars. They usually grow out between the ages of 17  and 21. They’re called wisdom teeth because they come out at a mature age.

If wisdom teeth come through correctly, they can help you chew your food. It’s normal for you to feel a little discomfort when they start coming through, but if you experience pain, you should contact your dentist for help as soon as possible.

When do you need to have your wisdom tooth extracted?

If your dentist deems the growth of your wisdom teeth to be potentially harmful to your other teeth, he or she might ask you to come in for periodical evaluations to monitor how it’s coming out.

Your dentist will stay on the lookout for the next possible situations:

• Wisdom teeth that aren’t coming through in the right position might allow food to be stuck in a gap between that tooth and another one. This might cause cavity-causing bacteria to grow in place and spread the infection to other teeth.
• Wisdom teeth that haven’t grown out in their totality might allow bacteria to enter the gums. This could eventually lead to infection.
• Wisdom teeth that don’t have enough space to come out might cause teeth overcrowding or cause damage to other neighboring teeth.
• An impacted wisdom tooth can form cysts on the impacted tooth zone or the area surrounding it. This can destroy the bone that supports your teeth or damage the roots of nearby teeth. 

A wisdom tooth  might need to be removed  if it's starting to cause any of these:

• Pain
• Signs of infection
• Cysts on the tooth or the surrounding area.
• If gum disease takes place.
• Signs of decay/decomposition.

The dentist/dental surgeon will give you the best available  options based on the evaluations and tests he or she has performed.

Wisdom teeth extraction aftercare:

Wisdom teeth extraction/removal is an outpatient surgery. This means that, if you decide to undergo the tooth extraction surgical process, you will leave the surgery center on the same day that you arrived. If the dental surgeon considers it to be necessary, he or she might use general anesthesia. 

Your dentist will walk you through the process and will give you the right steps to follow after the extraction. It is recommended to bring a companion to assist you after the surgical process is done. The dentist will also inform your companion about the same steps.

         If you want to read more about how to take care of your teeth after you’ve gone through this procedure, please refer to these next sites.

• 10 foods to eat after dental work.
• 3 ways to clean your teeth if you forgot to brush.

           Due to the new COVID-19 guidelines, the patient capacity that we hold in our dental offices has been reduced. Please refer to our COVID-19 updates site.                        

How much does a tooth extraction cost?

Here at Sani Dental Group, we’re highly committed to bringing you the best attention and quality for dental procedures in Mexico. If you’d like to read more about our doctors, please click here!

We have different locations in which our doctors would be more than happy to help you out and find a solution that suits you the best. If needed, we have different deals for your stay at our Hacienda in Los Algodones. 

 Our prices for both normal tooth and wisdom tooth removal start at $190 dollars. Please click here if you would like to know about what we have in store for you regarding our prices!

 We’re looking forward to bringing you a great quality service. If you’d like to make an appointment, please click this link or call (928) 257-1307 if you’re in the US.