Is wisdom tooth extraction considered basic or major

Are There Different Types of Wisdom Teeth Extractions?

That’s why your dentist wanted to summarize a few types of wisdom teeth extractions he performs on a regular basis. Every patient’s case is unique, but extractions only fall into a handful of categories.

The Most Common Types of Extractions

Tooth extractions, for wisdom teeth or otherwise, can be grouped into two categories: simple and surgical.

Simple extractions are performed when the tooth is visible in the mouth. This is the most common type of extraction your dentist performs. In this instance, your dentist loosens the tooth with a dental tool known as an elevator. Then, he removes the tooth by grabbing onto it with a pair of dental forceps. Don’t worry about feeling discomfort though; you’ll be given local anesthetic prior to removal.

Surgical extractions are more complex because they involve teeth that have broken off at the gum line or failed to have fully erupted. While these are usually done by oral surgeons, they can also be performed by general dentists. Along with using an elevator and forceps to remove the tooth, your dentist will also make a small incision through gum tissue and even remove some bone around the tooth for easier removal. They may also break the tooth into pieces and remove it that way.

How Can Wisdom Teeth Erupt?

The extraction your dentist uses will vary based on how the tooth is erupting. Consider the following situations below to get a better idea of how your dentist will perform the extraction.

• No Impaction – If the tooth has erupted above the jawbone and gum line, a simple extraction will be performed.
• Soft Tissue Impaction – if the tooth is covered with tissue, the dentist may need to cut what is called a “flap” to expose it more. This requires a surgical extraction.
• Partial Bony Impaction – If the tooth is partially exposed and part is still trapped below the gum line, your dentist will make an incision in the gum tissue and remove a minimal amount of bone to expose the tooth. Additionally, the tooth is cut in half along the crown.
• Complete Bony Impaction – Wisdom teeth that grow in sideways or backwards may be completely encased in the jawbone. Similar to a soft tissue impaction, a flap is created to expose the tooth, part of the jawbone is shaved down, and the tooth is cut into pieces for easier elevating. Both bony impactions will require surgical extractions to perform.

Are you experiencing in pain in the back of the mouth and not sure if it’s caused by wisdom teeth? Schedule an appointment with your dentist today to find out for sure!

About the Author

Dr. Hube Parker earned his dental degree from the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry and has over 25 years of experience. He’s taken extensive continuing education courses on oral surgery, allowing him to remove wisdom teeth erupting in numerous circumstances. To learn more about his practice, contact him through his website.

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Restorative dentistry is a combination of treatments that restore or replace missing or severely damaged teeth. This includes everything from a minor filling to more complex oral surgery procedures that require anesthesia. Some of them are directly performed, such as filling a cavity, and some of them are more indirect such as replacing a tooth in the form of a customized crown.

Preventive dental services include your routine examinations, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and tooth sealants – basically simple procedures that help prevent long term damage. Major dental services include complex procedures such as bridgework, dental implants, and dentures that often require the involvement of a dental laboratory.

The following procedures are considered basic restorative dental work.

• Fillings

A dental filling is a simple dental restoration procedure performed at your dental clinic in Calgary during the initial stages of dental decay or damage. The decayed part of the tooth is removed by the dentist, then “filled” with a tooth-coloured material. A local anesthetic may be administered for the process to minimize patient discomfort. The filling is inserted and molded into the tooth in a few layers to achieve better precision.

• Dental Bridges and Crowns

Dental bridges and crowns are perhaps the most commonly performed basic dental restorations near you. Bridges are a highly effective method to close the gaps in your mouth due to missing teeth. It is a custom made false tooth secured in the place of the missing tooth with the help of adjacent teeth. They are mostly made of porcelain, but there are more expensive options according to the preference of the patient.

• Scaling and Root Planing

There can be damaging deposits of plaque and tartar below the gum line, especially for patients who smoke or are not on top of their daily oral hygiene. Scaling and planning is a professional deep cleaning of teeth and gums. You can receive the procedure at any dental clinic near you that provides dental restorations in Calgary. Scaling involves removing the plaque that is deposited below the gum, and root planning helps smooth the root of the tooth, helping the gum to attach back to the tooth.

• Root Canal Treatment

Obtaining root canal treatment can be a basic or major restorative procedure depending on the patient. For most people, it is a relatively minor surgery with very little downtime after the procedure. It helps keep one’s physical tooth intact by removing the infected pulp. However, if the person has a sensitivity to local anesthetics or the structure of their infected tooth is complex, this procedure can turn into major dental restorative work.

• Tooth Extractions

Extracting or removing a tooth is another basic restorative dental procedure that is quite common. While there are alternatives to extracting teeth such as root canal therapy, sometimes tooth removal is necessary for complex situations. Reasons for tooth extractions can be badly decayed teeth, dental trauma, and conditions such as a crowded mouth or gum disease.

After you schedule an appointment at a dental clinic near you, the condition of your tooth will be evaluated. Once the decision is made and agreed upon to extract the tooth, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to ease pain and discomfort. The duration of the overall extraction procedure depends on the condition of the tooth. A “hard to extract tooth” may have to be removed in several pieces which may require more time. To speed up your healing process, your dentist will prescribe pain medication and antibiotics after the procedure. It may take up to ten days to fully heal after tooth extraction.

What is wisdom teeth removal classified as?

Is wisdom teeth removal considered simple extraction?

Is tooth extraction basic restorative?

What is considered a major dental procedure?