What is the Difference Between Simple & Surgical Extraction?
A dental extraction means that you are getting a tooth removed by the dentist. When it comes to removing teeth, it is a last resort treatment; it means that your tooth is damaged to the point that fillings, crowns, and any other supportive technique is no longer an option. The dentist will use information about why the tooth is damaged, where it is located, how the tooth affects any tissues around it, and where the tooth is damaged to determine if you are a better candidate for a simple or a surgical extraction.
Simple Extraction
A simple tooth extraction is the most common and the least complicated type of tooth removal. The dentist will most likely perform a simple extraction when the full tooth is present, not damaged below the gum, and can be easily accessed. Typically, people who have tooth decay or people who have overcrowding on their jaw are the people who receive simple extractions.
Surgical Extraction
A surgical tooth extraction is more complex when it comes to the state of the tooth and the steps in the procedure. When people break teeth below the gum line or need to have wisdom teeth removed that have not started to grow into place, people have surgical extractions. If the dentist is not able access the tooth easily or if the roots of the tooth will not be able to be removed in one piece, then a surgical extraction is the treatment plan.
Key Differences Between Simple and Surgical Extractions
Both types of extractions start with a tooth that is not able to stay in your mouth and end with a dentist removing it. Here are the ways that the two options differ:
Technique of the procedure
In a simple extraction, the dentist will use a tool to separate the gums from the tooth and forceps to remove the tooth from the jaw. In a surgical extraction, the dentist may need to cut into the gum tissue, remove bone, or section the tooth in order to remove it completely without affecting any other teeth or tissues.
Anesthesia and/or sedation
Both extractions will use local anesthesia to numb the area of the mouth where the dentist will be working. Surgical extractions may need an additional layer of sedation to allow the dentist to access the tooth or to keep you comfortable during the complicated procedure. Depending on your specific case, the dentist may offer you sedation no matter the type of extraction if you have severe anxiety due dental appointments.
Recovery time
With less invasive extractions, the recovery time is shorter because there are fewer tissues that have been disturbed. With surgical extractions, the recovery time will be longer with more discomfort immediately following the extraction. If bone was removed, then it may take longer than a week for your body to heal properly. But in both types of extractions, your health, medical history, and compliance with aftercare instructions will affect how long it takes you to recover fully.
Invasiveness
A simple extraction is minimally invasive whereas the surgical extraction involves cutting into tissue and more disruption to the area in your mouth where the tooth was removed.
Aftercare
It is crucial to follow all the aftercare instructions from the dentist following any extractions, but with a more complicated and more invasive procedure, the instructions will be more detailed. The dentist will make suggestions about cleaning, pain relief, and best foods for where you are on your healing journey.