Tooth extraction with a dental student
UniDent editorial team · July 27, 2026
Medically reviewed by: Dr Aleks Aleksiev · reviewed July 27, 2026
Not every extraction is alike. A straight tooth with clear roots is a different case from a deeply positioned wisdom tooth, and the second often does not suit a teaching exercise. The X-ray decides — without one the case cannot be judged.
Why an X-ray is essential
The shape, number and direction of the roots are visible only on an X-ray. Two teeth that look identical in the mouth can be very different cases in difficulty. A student will almost always ask for an image before accepting the case.
Cases that usually suit
- A tooth that can no longer be restored with a filling or crown.
- A retained root after a tooth has broken.
- A tooth with clearly positioned roots, visible on an X-ray.
Cases that often do not
Deeply positioned or angled wisdom teeth, teeth close to important anatomical structures, and cases in patients with certain medical conditions or taking blood thinners. That does not mean you cannot be helped — it means somewhere else is the right place.
Afterwards
You will be given instructions for the first few days — what to eat, what to avoid, and when to seek help if something is not going to plan. Following them matters more to your recovery than the procedure itself.
What to do next
- Get an X-ray if you do not have one — the case is hard to judge without it.
- Prepare a list of the medicines you take.
- If the tooth is in severe pain right now, seek urgent care rather than a teaching appointment.
Sources
- Учебни програми по орална хирургия (публична информация)