When possible, we want to repair a tooth that is damaged or that has developed tooth decay or infection. However, when the issue is too severe for a restoration, or if you have an issue such as an erupting wisdom tooth, we may need to remove a tooth instead. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS, dentist talks about how we protect smiles with a tooth extraction!
The Situations That Require Extraction
When does a tooth need to be removed from your smile? As we mentioned above, when one is too damaged, decayed, or infected to be treated with restorative dentistry, then removing it could prevent the spread of infection to other parts of your smile. Our team could also remove teeth to make room for orthodontic treatment, or even to pave the way for a set of dentures. One of the major reasons to seek tooth extraction is to avoid wisdom tooth impaction.
Wisdom Teeth
As a person approaches their late teens and early 20s, up to four new teeth could erupt in the rear of the mouth. Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, could lead to serious problems. The mouth simply doesn’t have enough room to accommodate them, so when they arrive, they could crowd the smile and create misalignment, which harms the health and appearance of your smile. There could be a painful partial eruption known as an impaction, and their arrival also increases the risk of damaged teeth and infection. But we can remove them prior to eruption so you avoid these complications and can instead continue to smile with confidence.
Removing Your Tooth
Our team will start by taking detailed digital x-rays of your smile. This system uses 90% less radiation and allows us to pinpoint the position of the tooth, with detailed images available instantly chairside. Our team can then plan the tooth extraction so we can conduct it comfortably and avoid contact with nerve tissues, blood vessels, and sinus cavities. We also offer local anesthesia and sedation to ensure you feel relaxed and comfortable, and have a positive experience in our office.
Our team then gently extracts a tooth with a pair of forceps, a process that could take as little as a half hour in some cases. We will suture the area closed and provide detailed aftercare instructions, so you can return to your normal routine in as little as 24 to 48 hours. If you have any questions about tooth extraction, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Have Any Questions About General Dentistry?
Our team could help tackle serious concerns with a safe and gentle tooth extraction! Call Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling (913)681-5500 to learn more.
