Why does the tooth break sometimes during the extraction?

Teeth are embedded in bone. The principal behind extraction is that the tooth is held by forceps and rocked from side to side to allow the bony socket to expand. In patients who are aged, the bone is very hard and mature and does not easily expand. In addition the teeth also become brittle with age or may have been weakened due to dental decay. The two factors, namely weakened teeth and brittle bone may result in breaking of the tooth during extraction. The small piece of tooth left behind can be removed by appropriate root forceps or may require surgical opening of the gums and cutting of the bone to remove the broken fragment.

Should the gums be cut while extracting some teeth?

Those teeth that cannot be gripped by a forceps or are embedded inside the bone may require cutting of the gums and the overlying bone to remove the teeth. This is called surgical method of extraction.

1 - Tooth before extraction
2 - Administration of local anesthesia
3 - Cutting of the gums with a surgical blade
4 - Reflection of the gums away from the bone
5 - The exposed bone around the tooth
6 - Cutting the bone with a drill
7 - Removal of the tooth with a forceps
8 - Extracted tooth
9 - Smoothening the bony margins with a file
10- Irrigation of the socket
11- Suturing the socket
12- Suturing complete

Can extractions be done on a patient having medical problems?

The dentist must be informed of any medical problems that you may have or had in the past. There are certain systemic problems, which may require certain precautions during the dental treatment so as to avoid complications. In some cases the dentist may require consent from your physician before he can extract.

Can extraction be done on a heart patient?

Usually extractions may not pose any problems for heart patients. However the dentist may require your physician's consent. In addition prophylactic antibiotics may be prescribed prior to the extraction as a precautionary measure. Some sedative may also be prescribed prior to the extraction.

Can extraction be done on a diabetic patient?

Patients who have their diabetes under control by diet and medication can undergo extraction. However the dentist may give you a prophylactic antibiotic prior to the procedure. He would also advice you to have normal food and medicine before the appointment. Sedative may also be prescribed.

What is a cyst?

A cyst is a fluid filled cavity that can occur in the soft tissues or the bone. They are of different types and may be asymptomatic or maybe associated with swelling and pain.

How are cysts treated?

Cysts are usually filled with a fluid and are lined by a layer of tissue. Cysts are treated by surgically removing the lining and draining the fluid that is found inside. The normal tissues grow into the cavity in due course of time. However sometimes the cysts have a tendency to reform in the same area.

What is a tumor?

A tumor is uncontrolled duplication of certain cells in the body. Tumors are of 2 types - malignant and benign. Benign tumors are relatively harmless while the malignant tumors are serious and tend to spread to nearby and far tissues and pose a threat to life.

What are the causes of oral cancer?

Oral cancers can occur due to a number of factors such as chewing of tobacco and betel, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, tissue irritation from sharp tooth or ill fitting denture etc. Lip cancer may occur due to excessive exposure to sunlight.

How do oral cancers present?

Most oral cancers may appear as a swelling or painless ulcer. Sometimes a patch of whitish tissue or red tinged tissue may be seen. Pain is usually a feature in the late stages due to infection of the lesion. The cancer can spread to nearby and far tissues.

How are oral cancers treated?

Oral cancer is treated by one or more of the following:
1. Chemotherapy: This means the tumors are treated by drugs or chemicals that kill the tumor cells. These drugs are usually very toxic to the body.
2. Radiation therapy: The tumor is exposed to radiation, which is found to cure certain tumors.
3. Surgical removal: The entire tumor is removed along with a border of normal tissue. In case the tumor has spread to nearby lymph glands, they may also be removed surgically.

Do teeth get decayed after radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy for treatment of oral cancer is usually followed by reduced salivary quantity due to atrophy of the oral glands. So the cleaning action of the saliva on the teeth is reduced resulting in increased dental decay. Thus patients who have had radiation therapy need to maintain good oral hygiene and may also require professional fluoride application to offer resistance to caries.

Are teeth extracted prior to radiation therapy?

Extraction and other minor oral surgical procedures are usually completed prior to radiation therapy. Soon after the radiation therapy it has been found that the blood supply to the radiated zone is reduced. This predisposes the tissues to infection. So surgical procedures and extractions are avoided after radiation therapy.

What is biopsy?

Biopsy is surgical removal of a small sample of tissue from a lesion such as a tumor. This tissue is studied under the microscope to determine what type of lesion it is so that appropriate treatment can be planned.

What are precancerous lesions?

They are certain lesions of the oral tissue that show an increased risk of transforming into malignant oral cancer. These lesions are called precancerous lesions. The dentist will try and determine what type of lesion it is and take treatment measures so as to prevent malignancy from developing.

Are all swellings in the mouth tumors?

Not all swellings in the mouth are tumors. Swellings can occur due to a number of other causes such as cysts, inflammation, infection of teeth etc. However it is advisable to consult your dentist on finding an oral swelling.