Dental extraction, also called exodontia, is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the alveolar bone. This lesson introduces common reasons for extraction and the distinction between simple and surgical procedures.
A dental extraction removes a tooth from the dental alveolus, the socket within the alveolar bone. Extraction may be considered when a tooth cannot be predictably preserved or when its removal supports another treatment goal. The decision depends on the tooth, the patient’s circumstances, and available alternatives.
All flashcards
What does exodontia mean?
Exodontia is another term for dental extraction: removal of a tooth from its socket in the alveolar bone.
What is pericoronitis?
Pericoronitis is inflammation or infection of gum tissue around a partially erupted tooth, often an impacted wisdom tooth.
What is a simple extraction?
Removal of an accessible, usually visible tooth using instruments such as an elevator and forceps, generally under local anaesthetic.
What makes an extraction surgical?
The tooth cannot be readily accessed or removed by simple means; an incision and sometimes bone removal or tooth sectioning may be needed.
Why might extraction be part of orthodontic treatment?
Removing selected teeth, often premolars, can provide space for crowded teeth to be aligned.
Quiz questions
What is a dental extraction?Answer: Removal of a tooth from its socket in the alveolar bone.
Why might healthy premolars be removed during orthodontic treatment?Answer: To create space so crowded teeth can be moved into alignment.
Which situation most clearly describes a surgical extraction?Answer: A tooth is broken below the gum and cannot be removed easily by simple means.
How should clinicians approach removal of an asymptomatic impacted wisdom tooth?Answer: Base the decision on an individual clinical indication and weigh potential benefits and risks.
Which details are relevant to a pre-extraction history?Answer: The tooth’s pain history, the patient’s medical history, and any previous difficult extractions.
Based on the Wikipedia article Dental extraction, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.