Four Facts About Tooth Extraction to Know

Although tooth extraction is a popular dental treatment, it is done as a last resort when all the other treatments have failed, or your teeth cannot be saved. At Open Wide Dental, our primary goal is to preserve your teeth and dental structure. However, there are times when the puling of teeth is inevitable. Here are four facts to know about tooth extraction, before you come for an assessment.

The Procedure Is Done When Necessary

We don’t perform tooth extraction as part of your general dental treatment. It takes proper assessment and evaluation before our Phoenix dentist settles for extraction. Several situations may warrant an extraction and they include:

• Wisdom tooth removal. The wisdom teeth are the last molars to emerge, usually between 17 and 25 years. However, more often than not, the teeth become entrapped and impacted because of the lack of jaw space. Impacted wisdom teeth are a cause of great pain and can weaken your dental structure, and therefore need to be extracted.
• Prepare the mouth for orthodontia. Orthodontia is the process of realigning your teeth. However, when the mouth is overcrowded, the treatment cannot be successfully done. The dentist will remove some of the excess teeth to make room.
• Infection, dental decay, and periodontal disease affect your teeth and gums. Typically, root canal therapy is the first form of treatment done. Scaling and root planing is also done in the case of gum disease. However, if the infection has advanced to the surrounding tissues, the affected teeth are removed to stop it from spreading and preserve your teeth.
• Knocked and broken teeth. Knocked-out teeth are a dental emergency and often the dentist can save the teeth. However, if the nerves and blood vessels are severely damaged or dead, the teeth are extracted.
• Tooth extraction is also done if the primary teeth do not fall on time.

A Tooth Extraction Procedure Is Not Long or Painful

On your initial consultation, the dentist will evaluate your dental health. If the teeth are irreparable, you are scheduled for extraction. Most times the procedure is done on the same day unless you have existing conditions and need clearance from your doctor. The extraction process is done in steps depending on the type of procedure.

The dentist can perform either simple or surgical extraction. The simple procedure is done on the visible teeth, while the surgical one on impacted teeth.

• Step one: Numbing of the gums
  The dentist will use local anesthesia to anesthetize your gums and jaw. In the case of surgical extraction, dental sedation is used to reduce anxiety and phobia.
  Anesthesia can help reduce discomfort, but you will still feel pressure and sensitivity.
• Step two: Pulling of the teeth
  Using some of the dental tools like forceps and dental elevators, the dentist will pull the teeth.
• Step three: Closing the socket
  The affected area is stitched to aid in healing.

Post-Extraction Dental Care is Required

It takes a few days to recover, however, how you care for the wounded area will affect the recovery time.

• Take the antibiotics and pain relievers as prescribed by the dentist
• Apply ice compression on the cheek to reduce swelling
• Keep your head elevated to stop the pain and bleeding
• Don’t brush or drink using a straw to avoid dislodging the blood clot

A Few Complications Can Develop

Tooth extraction is safe, but several problems can develop such as a dry socket, swelling, bleeding for more than 12 hours, chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting.

Call our dentist immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.

What Happens After Tooth Extraction?

Once the teeth are removed and gums heal, the dentist may recommend cosmetic dentistry to replace the teeth. The missing teeth are a threat to your dental structure and replacing them is paramount. Several treatments are available such as dental implants and bridges that may help close the gaps.

Schedule an Appointment

Not sure if you need a tooth extraction or not? Visit Open Wide Dental and we shall assess your oral health and recommend a suitable treatment.