Archive for January, 2009
When Extraction becomes Surgery
Molars differ from other teeth for they have three roots rather than the single ones for front teeth and two for those before the molars. They are harder to extract and more often than not can result in a root breaking off leaving it within the cavity that can lead to infection if not properly extracted.
Most dentists tell their patients of such cases only after they have successfully extracted the wayward root for it usually scares many patients. The procedure becomes more of an operation with an incision made to expose the fragment left behind and thus allowing the dentist to grip it and pull it out. Failure to extract all the fragments can result in gum/bone infections which are painful and requires proper healing with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to allow re-extraction.