Permission To Extract: Why A Patient Might Hesitate To Give Consent For A Tooth Extraction

It's not as though a dentist will extract a patient's tooth without their consent. To do so would be bad for business, leading to widespread customer dissatisfaction, not to mention the possibility of legal action. If your dentist tells you that your tooth must be extracted, why might you be hesitant to give the necessary consent?

Informed Consent

It's not just a matter of consenting to tooth extraction, and it must be informed consent. It could be that the reasons and process for extraction haven't been clearly explained, nor have any possible alternatives, and this is likely why your dentist has dismissed these alternative forms of treatment in your particular case. It's perfectly reasonable to ask for clarification. What are some of the details you may wish to discuss?

Simple Or Surgical Extraction

Knowing the type of extraction you require will be helpful, as it gives you a rough idea of what to expect. Enquire whether your extraction will be simple or surgical. A simple extraction involves the tooth being levered upwards before being removed. A surgical extraction means the dentist must make an incision into your gingival tissues to access the base of the tooth in order to loosen it from its periodontal ligaments and the underlying jawbone. Both options are performed under local anesthetic, so your discomfort will be effectively managed during the extraction.

Alternatives to Extraction

Tooth extraction is rarely the default option. A severely damaged tooth can be reconstructed, and it's surprising how far gone a tooth must be before extraction becomes the preferred choice. For example, the core of a significantly deteriorated tooth can be fitted with a metal post before the body of the tooth is restored with a composite resin, with the tooth then finished with a dental crown to form its new outer shell. It's not that your dentist hasn't considered these options, but the chances of success may be so slim as to make these other options impractical. Your dentist may simply wish to spare you from the demands and costs of these more intensive procedures when they're unlikely to work. It's your right to seek a second opinion, but there's a good chance that you'll receive the same recommendation. 

If you're hesitant to give consent for a tooth extraction, it can be that your consent isn't yet sufficiently informed. Don't be afraid to ask for details for each step of the process. For more information about tooth extractions, contact a local dental clinic.