While many restorative treatments are meant to preserve a decayed or injured tooth, sometimes actually removing them is the best way to protect your smile from major oral health complications. With that in mind, your Garland, TX, dentist will look at what extracting a tooth involves, and what you should expect from the recovery process!
Why Do We Remove a Tooth?
If a tooth develops a very severe cavity, or an infection, then we may suggest a root canal treatment. But if you don’t see us in time, the tooth may need to be removed to prevent the spread of infection to other teeth. We may also take one out if you have advanced gum disease causing it to become loose. Injuries too severe to repair with crowns or bonding could also mean extraction. We’ve even taken a tooth out to make room to reposition the rest for those in need of orthodontics.
However, the most common reason to take out a tooth with oral surgery is to prevent wisdom tooth impaction. In our late teens and early 20s, up to four new molars could erupt in the back of our mouth. Since there is rarely room for them, they could only partially erupt, which is known as an impaction. You could develop misalignment, painful symptoms, infection, and even damaged teeth! Fortunately, we can take them out before any of that happens!
The Extraction Procedure
We start by providing a local anesthetic near the tooth we’re taking out. We also have sedation for those with dental anxiety, and to ensure you remain calm and comfortable throughout the process. The entire procedure only takes a short period, and we gently remove the tooth in question with a pair of forceps. We then take steps to preserve the extraction site, which help you avoid complications and prepares your smile should you need to replace the missing tooth with a bridge or a dental implant.
The Recovery Process
To ensure you recover comfortably without complication, we will send you home with prescribed medications and detailed instructions. For the first 24 hours, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water, change gauze before it becomes soaked with blood, and don’t prod the extraction site with your tongue. Try to avoid strenuous activity for the first day or two, and brush and floss very carefully. You should also avoid nicotine products, eat soft foods, and avoid using straws!
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT EXTRACTING TEETH?
Our team wants to help you maintain a full and beautiful smile, and sometimes that actually means removing a tooth. To learn more about restorative care and oral surgery, then schedule a consultation by calling Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX, today at 972-530-0552. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese.
