Ask a General Dentist: What Happens to Your Tooth After Extraction

Ask a General Dentist: What Happens to Your Tooth After Extraction from Stone Canyon Dental in Sunnyvale, TXTooth extraction frequently occurs in the office of a general dentist for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Bacterial decay
  • Accidental breakage
  • Overcrowding
  • Impaction

Most patients are more concerned about the gap the tooth leaves behind than its fate outside their mouths. An extracted tooth usually takes one of the following paths, depending on whether the dentist or the patient claims it.

Reasons a dentist keeps the tooth

Incineration

A dentist usually places an extracted tooth into a sealed bio-medical bag because it retains the patient's oral tissue and blood, which are potentially infectious materials. Bio-medical waste services remove the bags from dental offices and bring them to facilities to incinerate their contents.

Recycling

If a general dentist pulls a tooth with a filling containing metal, it is necessary to send it to a recycling facility before incineration. Burning a tooth before removing the filling poses a risk of contaminating the air with mercury found in the metal. The metal can be repurposed after it is removed.

Training

Sometimes, dentists send extracted teeth to universities and other institutions where dental students and colleagues receive training. Extracted teeth can help students studying dental diseases and procedures because they present real case studies and practice models.

Research

A general dentist may want to attend seminars and take workshops to learn about new and updated techniques for patient services. By sending extracted teeth to dental laboratories and research facilities, a dentist can help ensure an adequate supply of models to test the efficacy of new procedures before they are recommended and taught.

Reasons a patient keeps the tooth

Patients may want to keep extracted teeth for various reasons. Before releasing a tooth to a patient, a dentist must thoroughly clean it to remove traces of bacteria and tissue.

Sale

Some individuals who have extracted teeth with metal fillings or gold crowns may wish to deliver them to scrap metal collectors who reuse the material. These services will reimburse individuals according to the amount of retrievable metal. Teeth containing gold crowns are particularly desirable.

Sentiment

There are many reasons why patients have sentimental attachments to extracted teeth. Although this mostly occurs with baby teeth, adults may occasionally attach a particular meaning to a tooth, making it a desirable memento.

Bragging rights

Some patients are intrigued by the removal of teeth from their mouths and want to show them to others. Impacted wisdom teeth are usually large, creating a sense of astonishment that some people feel compelled to share.

Projects

A few patients get creative with extracted teeth, using them as display objects, jewelry, or incorporating them into art projects. Although this is not an appealing route for most persons, it does happen. A general dentist must take great care to sanitize the tooth and instruct the patient about its proper handling before releasing it.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp:
General Dentist in Sunnyvale, TX

Conclusion

Tooth extraction is a standard service provided by a general dentist; however, it is considered a last resort for damaged teeth beyond repair or teeth that pose other oral health risks. Patients who want to keep extracted teeth should notify their dentist before treatment.

Request an appointment or call Stone Canyon Dental at 972-996-3191 for an appointment in our Sunnyvale office.

Recent Posts

General Dentistry: Give Your Dental Health A Boost By Visiting A Dentist

You might think that if you are diligent about brushing and flossing at home, you can visit a dentist's office less often. However, general dentistry professionals agree that regularly visiting a dentist is important for your dental and overall health, even with good oral hygiene. In addition, there are numerous reasons it is a good…

A General Dentist Discusses Cavity Treatment

Your experienced general dentist can repair your cavities. Assessing your teeth will come first. Then, the dentist will discuss the treatment options with you. Knowing which option can help you the most can prepare you for the visit. Here are the details about the different cavity treatments that your general dentist can discuss with you.The…

What To Ask Your General Dentist When Preparing For A Crown

If a general dentist recommends a dental crown, there are a variety of reasons why. Crowns can be used for cosmetic corrections as well as for protection and support. These dental restorations may seem intimidating to those who have never had one, but they do not have to be. Here are some questions to ask…

Recent Posts

Tips On How To Adjust To Life With Dentures

5 Tips On How To Adjust To Life With Dentures

Dentures may completely transform the quality of life for someone who has been lacking teeth by giving them back both their smile and their self-esteem. Nonetheless, it may take some time and persistence for dentures to feel natural. Read on for some helpful tips for getting used to your new dentures.When several teeth need replacement,…

How Long Is The Process For Placing Implant Crowns?

How Long Is The Process For Placing Implant Crowns?

If someone is looking for an alternative to placing new dental implants, they may be interested in one of the newest procedures on the market—implant crowns. If a patient chooses to go this route, there are some factors to consider before committing to the procedure, including how long it will take to place the crown…

HOURS: MON 8AM-5PM TUES 8AM-4PM WED 8AM-4PM THURS 8AM-4PM FRI 8AM – NOON