Implant Extractions
Implant placement has been a widely used solution to replace patients’ missing teeth. However, like teeth, implants can also suffer damage and the solution is to extract them.
The extraction of implants is not very frequent, since the materials used are resistant and last for years. However, there are situations where extraction is the only answer to the problem.
In what situations is it necessary to remove the implant?
When it is badly positioned
Unfortunately, there are countless cases of implants misplaced by dentists.
This is due to flaws in the planning and study of the patient’s clinical situation.
Placing an implant in the wrong way creates serious problems, requiring its removal and replacement.
Peri-implantitis
It’s an inflammation of the gums, which destroys the tissues that protect the implants, resulting in bone loss and, consequently, loss of the implant.
The treatment for Peri-implantitis is only decided after examining the patient, to understand what stage he’s in. Depending on the severity, the solution may be to remove the implant or maintain it.
Fracture:
The fracture of an implant is a rare situation, since titanium does not corrode when inserted in the patient’s mouth. However, accidents happen and if the implant breaks, the only solution is to replace it with a new implant, making reconstruction impossible.
How to remove an implant?
Removing an implant is a complex process.
There are some techniques for this purpose, designed to assist the dentist in the process, but none is ideal.
One of the techniques that is still widely used uses drill bits. These drills usually remove too much bone tissue and are therefore not the best solution, as it consequently leads to the need to perform bone reconstruction in order to insert a new implant.
Currently, there is another technique that uses ratchet keys.
Implant removal techniques are still a topic to be studied and explored.
Dental extraction
And tooth extraction is a minor surgery performed to remove a tooth, be it incisor, canine, premolar or molar.
The teeth that are extracted most frequently are wisdom teeth, due to the difficulty of eruption.
Before being advised to have a tooth extraction, the patient will undergo examinations and radiographs that reveal the length, shape and position of the tooth and the adjacent bone. Based on this information, the dentist assesses the degree of difficulty of the procedure and decides which option is most appropriate.
In what situations is it necessary to remove a tooth?
Teeth removal occurs in adults quite frequently, resulting from several dental problems, the main reasons being the following:
- Existence of a very deep tooth decay;
- Infection that has destroyed a large part of the adjacent tooth or bone;
- Lack of space in the mouth for all teeth;
- Need to remove an included tooth (which was not born or was only partially born);
- Gingivitis or periodontitis in advanced stages;
- Bone loss.
What is the process of removing a tooth?
There are two types of tooth extraction: simple and complex, or surgical.
Simple
Surgery performed with local anesthesia, in which tooth removal happens without complications.
The process is in fact simple, the dentist loosens the tooth with an instrument called a lever and then removes the tooth with the help of forceps. There may or may not be a need to suture the area with some stitches.
Complex
Extractions that involve cutting the bone or tooth for removal are considered complex.
This type of extraction takes place in the face of very destroyed teeth, teeth that are “stuck” to the bone and teeth included.
In this case the process is more complicated, the dentist makes a small incision in the gum to remove the affected tooth.
Care after removing a tooth
After the extraction of one or more teeth, there are certain precautions to take for a good recovery and to reduce discomfort:
- Place ice cubes on the face to reduce swelling, for 15 to 20 minutes;
- Soft and cold food in the following days;
- In the 24h after the surgery, do not smoke, do not spit and do not use straws to ingest liquids. After 24 hours you should then use the straw. Avoid hot and alcoholic drinks;
- Avoid talking too much;
- Rest for the first three days;
- Keep the head higher in relation to the body, within 24 hours after surgery;
- Avoid sun exposure and physical activities;
- Maintain careful oral hygiene, being very careful in the first days.
In case of severe or prolonged pain, swelling, bleeding or fever, contact your dentist immediately.
