Since the dawn of our existence, the need for removing teeth has been present. Fortunately, teeth extractions have become a much more refined process in modern times.
Dr. Hawryluk Jr. is a Mississauga Dentist with ample experience in teeth removals should you require this service.
There are several reasons why a tooth may need removal – including severe tooth decay, infection, tooth damage, and gum disease. Also, sometimes teeth are removed to make space for orthodontic treatment.
Extractions can be “surgical” or “simple” – simple extractions are in situations where a tooth is visible and easily accessible in the mouth and do not require an incision. Surgical extractions involve removing teeth that are hard to reach because they have broken under the gum line or have not erupted fully. Surgical extractions require an incision and sometimes splitting the tooth into a few pieces. In some cases, Dr. Hawryluk does the removal under sedation, such as nitrous oxide or fully asleep. However, we do most extractions at our Mississauga Dental Clinic while the patient is awake and comfortable. Surgical or complex extractions are nothing to worry about, and St. Lawrence Dentistry can perform these in a very relaxed manner.
The first step in tooth extraction is reviewing your medical history. Then Dr. Hawryluk Jr. will go over different options for dental sedation. These include very mild sedation via Ativan tablets, nitrous oxide, or being fully asleep. In general, patients tolerate the tooth removal process well without more profound sedation. However, if you wish to be asleep for the procedure, please inform Dr. Hawryluk.
To learn more about tooth extractions asleep, please visit us here:
Dentistry Asleep (Sedation Dentistry)
Tooth Extraction Procedure
A local anesthetic is then applied to numb the area. Then, specialized instruments are used, such as a dental elevator or forceps to loosen the tooth gently. Dr. Hawryluk focuses on removing teeth with the least possible trauma to the surrounding tissues to ensure the most uneventful recovery possible.
Sometimes there is an option of extraction socket grafting – where Dr. Hawryluk Jr. places particulate bone in the socket after the extraction. As a result, the socket will heal with a higher volume and density, which, in effect, strengthens your jawbone. If a patient is considering placing a dental implant after tooth removal, this is especially important. More bone preserved from the socket grafting means the placement of a more reliable and robust implant is possible. Hence extraction socket grafting can enhance the long-term survivability of a dental implant after tooth removal.
To learn more about extraction socket grafting, please visit us here:
Dental Extraction Socket Preservation
Tooth Extraction Healing
St. Lawrence Dentistry will do everything possible to mitigate the healing period following a tooth extraction. We will inform you before the removal of what you can expect post-operatively. In general, the extent of the healing period is proportionate to the amount of work needed to remove the tooth. Some swelling, minor bruising is common. If you have a question or concern in the post-extraction period, please call our office. During non-business hours we have a 24-hour answering service. There are instructions we will go over with you after your tooth extraction, which can help avoid complications. These include, but are not limited to, no rising for 24 hours and no smoking for at least three days.
To learn more about aftercare following tooth extractions, please visit our blog article:
After Care Following Dental Extractions
Sometimes it is prudent to replace a missing tooth following dental extraction. After removal, the space created by the missing tooth can allow the surrounding teeth to shift into that space. This shift could cause a misalignment in your mouth that can result in chewing or jaw-joint problems. In addition, these shifted teeth are harder to clean, making them more susceptible to gum disease, decay, or even additional tooth loss. For these reasons, it’s sometimes essential to consider replacing the tooth with a dental appliance such as a bridge, a removable partial denture, or an implant.
To learn more about dental bridges and implants, please visit our blog article:
Choosing Between Dental Implants Or Bridge Treatment
To learn more about the removal of wisdom teeth, please visit us here:
Wisdom Teeth – Do They Need To Be Removed?
St. Lawrence Dentistry will do everything possible to ensure it is as pleasant an experience as possible if you need a tooth removed. If you live in Mississauga or the surrounding area and want to learn more about this service, please call us.
