Tooth Extractions Terminology

Types of Extractions

• Simple Extraction: Removal of a tooth that is visible above the gumline.
• Surgical Extraction: Removal of a tooth that is impacted, broken below the gumline, or requires an incision in the gums.

Reasons for Extraction

• Crowding: To create space for orthodontic treatment.
• Gum Disease: When gum disease has loosened a tooth or damaged the supporting bone.
• Impacted Tooth: When a tooth (often a wisdom tooth) fails to erupt properly.
• Infection: When an infection has spread to the tooth pulp or surrounding tissues.
• Severe Decay: When a tooth is too damaged to be repaired with a filling or crown.
• Trauma: When a tooth is broken or fractured beyond repair.

Procedures and Techniques

• Alveoplasty: Smoothing and recontouring the jawbone after an extraction.
• Anesthesia: Medication used to numb the area and prevent pain during the extraction.
• Elevation: Using a dental instrument to loosen the tooth before removal.
• Forceps: Instruments used to grasp and remove the tooth.
• Incision: A cut made in the gums to access a tooth that is not fully erupted.
• Sectioning: Dividing a tooth into smaller pieces for easier removal.

Post-Extraction Care

• Dry Socket: A painful condition that can occur if the blood clot at the extraction site is dislodged.
• Gauze: Used to control bleeding after the extraction.
• Ice Pack: Applied to the face to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Pain Medication: Prescribed or over-the-counter medication to manage pain.
• Sutures (Stitches): Used to close the gums after a surgical extraction.

Related Terms

• Alveolar Bone: The bone that surrounds and supports the teeth.
• Edentulous: Lacking teeth.
• Hematoma: A collection of blood outside of a blood vessel.
• Trismus: Limited jaw opening or lockjaw.