Simple vs. Surgical Tooth Extractions

There are a few reasons you might need to have a tooth extracted: poor oral hygiene, tooth decay, because it’s damaged, to make room in a crowded mouth, or to prepare for other dental procedures. When it comes to tooth removal, there are two main types of dental extractions that you’ll come across: simple and surgical. But what’s the difference, and when might you need each one? Here’s what you need to know about the two types of tooth extraction before your dental surgery.

Simple Extraction

A simple tooth extraction is when a tooth has already grown up past the gum line. This is the most common type of tooth extraction and is the easiest to perform. Your dentist will simply grab the tooth with forceps and remove it from your mouth while you’re numbed up.

Surgical Extraction

Surgical tooth extractions are a bit more complicated. These occur when your dentist needs to make an incision into the gum to remove the tooth, such as for wisdom teeth or a tooth that has not yet emerged past the gum line. Sometimes, your dentist will need to cut the tooth into several pieces in order to remove it more easily.

Simple vs. Surgical Extraction

The procedures for both types of tooth extraction are similar. The difference is that surgical tooth extraction might sometimes require a stronger type of anesthesia and might also have a longer recovery time. With both extractions, it’s important to be gentle with the area during the healing process so that the socket can heal completely.

Whether you need to have a simple or surgical tooth extraction, both are extremely common dental procedures with a low risk of complications. If you need to have a tooth removed or would like to in order to be fitted with dentures, implants, or a bridge, call Bella Smiles to make an appointment today!