page_title: Dental extraction
section_title: Types
hierarchical_section_title: Dental extraction / Types
caption_attribution_description: English: A molar tooth (lower left 6) extracted from the photographer, at Birmingham Dental Hospital, by being cut up into six pieces, in situ, and the jaw cut to release the roots. The tooth is unusual for a white European person's lower molars, in having three roots, instead of two. The curvature of the roots (the three pieces to the right) prevented straightforward extraction.
context_page_description: A dental extraction is the removal of teeth from the dental alveolus in the alveolar bone. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, but most commonly to remove teeth which have become unrestorable through tooth decay, periodontal disease, or dental trauma, especially when they are associated with toothache. Sometimes impacted wisdom teeth cause recurrent infections of the gum, and may be removed when other conservative treatments have failed. In orthodontics if the teeth are crowded, sound teeth may be extracted to create space so the rest of the teeth can be straightened. The decision to extract teeth for orthodontic reasons should only be made by an orthodontist, so the correct decision is made.
context_section_description: Extractions are often categorized as "simple" or "surgical".
  Simple extractions are performed on teeth that are visible in the mouth, usually with the patient under local anaesthetic, and require only the use of instruments to elevate and/or grasp the visible portion of the tooth. Typically the tooth is lifted using an elevator, and using dental forceps, specific tooth movements are performed (e.g. rocking the tooth back and forth) expanding the tooth socket. Once the periodontal ligament is broken and the supporting alveolar bone has been adequately widened the tooth can be removed. Typically, when teeth are removed with forceps, slow, steady pressure is applied with controlled force.
  Surgical extractions involve the removal of teeth that cannot be easily accessed or removed via simple extraction, for example because they have broken under the gum or because they have not erupted fully, such as an impacted wisdom tooth. Surgical extractions almost always require an incision. In a surgical extraction the dentist may elevate the soft tissues covering the tooth and bone, and may also remove some of the overlying and/or surrounding jaw bone with a drill or, less commonly, an instrument called an osteotome. Frequently, the tooth may be split into multiple pieces to facilitate its removal.
  Common risks after any extraction include pain, swelling, bleeding, bruising, infection, trismus (not being able to open as wide as normal) and dry socket. There are additional risks associated with the surgical extraction of wisdom teeth in particular: permanent or temporary damage to the inferior alveolar nerve +/- lingual nerve, causing permanent or temporary numbness, tingling or altered sensation to the lip, chin +/- tongue.
caption: Molar cut up during surgical extraction - the curvature of the three roots (top right) prevented simple extraction
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