Permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime, but for many reasons, this doesn't always happen. While we try to avoid this situation, sometimes permanent teeth must be extracted in order to maintain or improve your oral health For instance, a diseased tooth may need to be extracted for oral health reasons. Trauma, decay, and poor oral hygiene can all contribute to the need for an extraction.
Extractions may be necessary for other reasons, including:
Tooth extractions are in-office procedure. In Many cases It's quite possible to have the treatment done with only a local anesthetic (numbing shot) to keep you from experiencing any pain. The type of anesthesia that's best for you will be determined before the procedure.
Once you have been appropriately anesthetized, the gum tissue at the extraction site may need to be opened if the tooth is impacted. The tooth itself will then be gently removed. When the extraction is complete, you may need to have the site sutured (stitched) to aid healing. After the procedure is over, you will rest for a short time before going home. Depending on what type of anesthesia you have had, you may need another person to drive.
After the Procedure
The recovery period after a tooth extraction generally lasts only a few days. During this time, you should rest when possible to encourage healing, and take any pain medication as prescribed. It's normal to experience some bleeding at the extraction site; this can be controlled by gently biting on gauze pads, changing them as needed, and resting with the head elevated on pillows rather than flat.
Holding an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for a few minutes at a time (for example, 5 minutes on / 5 minutes off) may help reduce swelling on the first day after the procedure. Starting on day 2, the warm moist heat of a washcloth placed on the cheek may make you more comfortable. Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water a few times a day can also help relieve discomfort.
You may want to eat soft foods for a few days after the extraction; likewise, be careful when brushing or putting anything in your mouth until your healing is complete. Be sure to follow the postoperative instructions you are given, as each situation is a little different; this will help you to be as comfortable as possible.
While we try to avoid this situation, sometimes permanent teeth must be extracted in order to maintain or improve your oral health. When this does happen, Dr. Hamdan will gently and precisely perform tooth extraction in Plano, Texas, so that you can enjoy less pain and more comfort both during and after the removal of the tooth. If you are worried about the state of your oral health, or if it is simply time for your six-month check-up, please call Urgent Family Dentistry. Through consistent and comprehensive dental care, our dentists can help get you back to optimal oral health and avoid the necessity of an extraction.
Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth. While we strive to avoid the need to remove a tooth whenever possible, certain conditions may make tooth extraction the most effective option for returning your smile to good health and function. Following the tooth extraction, we are happy to provide you with one of our excellent tooth replacement treatments, if needed, to restore your smile to optimal health, beauty, and function.
Several conditions may necessitate tooth extraction. Among these are:
Our dentist uses great care and skill when performing a tooth extraction to ensure that your dental experience is as comfortable and painless as possible. We will also provide you with detailed post-treatment care instructions so you can properly take care of your smile as it heals. For more information on tooth extraction and to schedule your personalized consultation at our friendly dental office, we invite you to call or visit us today. We are committed to improving your smile!
