What is the Difference Between Simple & Surgical Extraction

So, you have been told you need to have a tooth pulled, or “extracted”. There are two types of tooth extraction, simple and surgical. Read on to see the difference between them.

Simple extraction

Simple extraction is the removal of teeth that have already erupted (that have already been “born”), whether deciduous (“baby”) or permanent. In the case of children, the dentist will handle the case even more cautiously, reassuring the little patient and carefully studying the removal needs, which may include imaging tests, if applicable.

This is the most common method used for teeth that are visible in the mouth, or in other words, those that are easily accessible. Simple extraction is performed most often when the tooth is damaged by trauma or disease, and also for orthodontic purposes, if there is overcrowding of teeth in your mouth. To perform this procedure, a simple dental tool called an elevator or raspator is used to loosen the tooth, and then it is gently removed from the socket using forceps.

This type of extraction is done when you are under local anesthesia, which is why it does not cause any pain. In addition to standard anesthesia, inhaled anesthesia (Nitrous Oxide), or general anesthesia (this is uncommon), can also be used.

This procedure is very normal in dentistry and usually only takes a few minutes to complete. Healing time from a simple extraction is around 7-10 days, especially if you take care to follow our instructions for caring for your mouth after the extraction.

Surgical tooth extraction

Surgical extraction is a method used for impacted teeth, which are teeth that have not erupted through the gum, or other teeth that are difficult to remove through being severely damaged or diseased. A surgical incision is made in the gum, and specialized tools are used to remove the tooth from the surrounding bone.

The surgical method is also used when the tooth has many roots and is difficult to remove in one piece. The dentist will remove the visible part of the tooth, and then the other roots. Root removal is also a surgical procedure. This method is used when the tooth has many roots and is difficult to remove, as well as in the case of damage to the surrounding bone.

During surgical extraction, appropriate types of local anesthesia are also used, which ensures that the procedure will not cause any pain.

Surgical extractions are slightly more invasive and also have a longer recovery period, because they also generally require the use and then the removal of stitches; your gums will need time to heal. However, surgical extraction is necessary when the use of the standard method of tooth extraction is not possible.

In Conclusion

You might be nervous if you have been told that you need to have a tooth pulled. We’re here to assure you that regardless of whether we can do a simple extraction or a surgical extraction, you will be well taken care of, and we will do our best to keep you comfortable before, during, and after the procedure. Be sure to contact us to schedule an appointment today, especially if you have any questions about the extraction process or believe you have a tooth that might need to be pulled!

Why Do I Need a Surgical Extraction?