Having a tooth removed when there is no tooth to pull (just the root)

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Hello, I feel rather dim not knowing this but I have a tooth which was filled so many times that the dentist talked about removing it as there was so little tooth left or giving one more go with filling. I opted for another go, the filling came out leaving a tiny amount of tooth which has since crumbled away. I have a complete gap and flat to my gum is black where the root of the tooth must be as it didnt come out.

I can't get to the dentist for ages but I wondered if anyone had had a tooth removed when there is no tooth there to pull? Does the dentist cut then pull, leave it or something else? Thanks for any help

i have had 2 like this taken out. first one was done with a corkscrew type tool and pulled. the other was surgical. they cut the gum, gently removed the tooth and stitched back up. the latter was far less traumatic so would opt for that if you get a choice. i didnt feel pain for either way, they do anaesthetise well but the yanking is quite uncomfortable. if u have the cut and stitch, the stitches dissolve and it heals very quickly! hth

I do these all the time. Either they are ver very easy (usually where there has been infection but no root filling). After an injection I put an instrument called a luxator between the gum and the root. A bit of pressure and a wiggle and the root tends to just pop out. If the tooth has 2 or more roots I might divide them first with a drill. Total length of time not much more than 10 minutes, often a matter of seconds. If it looks like it will take much longer I'd do as below.

Where the root is very solid, or root filled, or the technique above has failed I would take a "surgical"approach. Again, after injection of local. I make a cut in the gum, use a drill to remove some bone. If the tooth has 2 or more roots I'll separate them. Then again used little instruments to loosen then remove the root(s). Normally I place stitches if I've done this. Total time usually at least 10 minutes from first incision to last stitch, but could be much longer. Would hope no more than 30 mins.

Both result in similar amounts of post op pain, controlled with ibuprofen and paracetamol. A surgical extraction often involves less pressure and movement, and therefore less discomfort during and after.