Difference Between Surgical Tooth Extraction and Non-Surgical

What is tooth extraction? 

Tooth extraction is a dental procedure that is performed when a tooth or teeth are no longer functional and cannot be restored to a healthy state. Following are some of the reasons for tooth/teeth extraction

  • When a tooth becomes decayed, cracked, or otherwise damaged to the point where it can no longer be restored to health, the dental professional will recommend extraction.
  • A deliberate extraction can be planned in a few orthodontic cases to make some room for the teeth to align.
  • When wisdom teeth/teeth become decayed and cause extreme discomfort, an oral surgeon may recommend a wisdom tooth extraction.

In all of the above cases, dentists will attempt to preserve the tooth after performing all essential clinical and radio graphical examinations. However, if saving a tooth is not possible, an extraction will be recommended.

General Procedure

The tooth extraction procedure is done under local anesthesia in the clinic or under general anesthesia in a daycare surgery. This procedure is carried out in a controlled setting. Clinical and radiographic exams will be performed after a thorough medical and dental history is taken. The treatment and care plan is then prepared. If the situation is uncomplicated, the treatment area is sedated and extraction is performed in the clinic/chairside. If the situation is complicated, general anesthesia is advised, and tooth extraction is performed under general anesthetic (this is mainly advised in wisdom teeth extractions, multiple teeth extractions, or in patients with mental or physical disabilities). 

Dental health care providers will provide pre and post-procedural guidance. All of the instructions given by the dental practitioner must be followed. In addition, follow-up visits should be scheduled as needed to monitor the recovery of the treatment region.

Surgical Tooth Extraction vs Non-Surgical Tooth Extraction

Simple Extraction: As the name suggests simple tooth extraction is a straightforward procedure performed in the office by a qualified. This type of extraction is done on teeth that are visible in the mouth and are not buried behind the gums. An elevator and dental forceps are required to elevate and hold the visible area of the diseased tooth. The elevator is used to release the tooth, while the forceps are used to hold it for tooth extraction. 

During the extraction, the patient will feel some pressure due to the force applied to grab and extract the tooth. General dental practitioners can perform a simple tooth extraction using a local anesthetic (a numbing agent), which numbs the region and prevents discomfort. However, in some cases, patients are referred to oral surgeons to perform more complicated tooth extractions. 

If post-treatment instructions are followed meticulously, simple extractions seldom result in serious problems, and most patients recover within 7-10 days.

Surgical Extraction: Surgical extractions are far more complicated than simple extractions. This treatment is usually performed by qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Teeth that are not visible in the mouth will require a different extraction technique. Tooth extraction surgery is performed to remove teeth that are difficult to access. Teeth that have not erupted through the gums or teeth that have fractured are some of the possibilities.

In this scenario, an incision into the gum tissue around the tooth is required in order to obtain access to the tooth for extraction. The soft tissues that surround the tooth are raised and the bone is drilled to make enough room for the tooth to access and dislodge. To remove the tooth, it may be required to break it into a few pieces in most circumstances.

 Surgical extractions will require a local anesthetic and, in certain cases, general anesthesia. You might expect to feel pressure but no pain during a tooth extraction. Tell your dentist if you experience any discomfort or pinching. 

The recovery period for surgical tooth extractions will range from 3 weeks to 4 weeks on average. It is mandatory to follow the post instructions to avoid any infections in the extracted area.