Sectioning during Extractions

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are experts at extracting teeth safely and with minimal inconvenience to the patient. When it is necessary for a tooth to be removed, our doctors want the patient to be fully informed about their procedure so they’ll understand the importance of sticking to their post-op care instructions. Some extractions are more complicated than others, and in those cases, we may section teeth prior to removing them.

Sectioning is the process of breaking a tooth apart and extracting the separate pieces. After the patient has been numbed and sedated, we’ll cut a flap in the gum tissue around the impacted tooth. We will then use a drill to cut the tooth apart while keeping the surgery site continuously bathed in water to prevent heat damage and remove debris. The separate sections can be lifted out with forceps and flat spoons called elevators, and the surgical site can be sutured shut.

Although the process of sectioning may sound intimidating, it actually allows us to work through a much smaller incision in the gum than we would otherwise. Cutting the tooth apart also allows us to remove it with much less force, particularly if the roots curl in different directions. If you are nervous, we can discuss different sedation options. With the wisdom teeth removed, a patient will be at much less risk for gum infections and overcrowding.

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operates in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA.