When a tooth develops a severe case of decay or infection, or sustains severe damage, these are examples of when extraction could be necessary to avoid major complications. Often, this can safeguard your smile! In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS, dentist talks about how a tooth extraction could help your smile.
The Reasons to Extract a Tooth
Why do we need to extract a tooth? If damage or decay can no longer be treated with a restoration, then infection could reach other parts of the smile unless the tooth is removed. We could also extract teeth to make room for orthodontic care, or to address teeth loosened by gum disease. Our team could also prevent the onset of wisdom tooth impaction. As we approach adulthood, up to four new molars erupt in the rear of the mouth. These could be linked to painful partial eruptions known as impaction, as well as misalignment, injury, or infection. But with an extraction, we simply take them out before they arrive!
The Steps for Keeping Your Comfortable
We know that the concept of oral surgery can make people feel uncomfortable. Which is why in addition to a local anesthetic to keep the extractions comfortable, we could also discuss dental sedation. With sedation, you enter a calm and relaxed state, and have little to no memory of the procedure at all afterward. The option we select for you will be determined by your age, weight, medical history, and anxiety levels.
The Tooth Extraction Process
The process itself often takes as little as 30 minutes. We pinpoint the position of the teeth with digital x-rays images, which also ensure we avoid sensitive nerve tissues and sinus cavities. We then gently remove the tooth with a pair of forceps, and suture the area closed afterward. A friend or family member can take you home afterward, as often sedation leaves people feeling a bit groggy. At home, you will take any prescribed medications as instructed, and avoid straws or poking the site with your tongue. Be sure you brush and floss gently too, and eat only soft foods for the first day or two. A clot needs to form and we don’t want to dislodge it and cause a painful dry socket!
Our team will remove the sutures in a follow-up visit. If you have a gap left behind, we could discuss prosthetics like brushes or even dental implants to ensure your smile is whole and beautiful. If you have any questions about how we extract teeth, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Need General Dentistry?
Contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 to learn more about how our team can extract a tooth and help safeguard the smile.
