When people see us for damaged, decayed, or infected teeth, we often provide help with restorative dentistry. Fillings, crowns, and root canals can help us save the tooth. But what if an issue occurs that cannot be addressed with a restoration? To protect your smile, your Leawood, KS, dentist talks about when and how we extract a tooth!
The Reasons We Recommend a Tooth Extraction
When do we extract a tooth? If a tooth develops tooth decay or an infection too severe to be treated with a crown or root canal, as we mentioned above, this could allow infection to spread to other teeth or into the jaw itself. Extraction protects the entire smile from this occurring. We could also recommend this if one is too damaged to be repaired with a crown for the same reason. Tooth extraction could help make room for orthodontic treatment and could also pave the way for a dental prosthetic, such as a bridge or a set of dentures. We could also take out wisdom teeth to prevent impaction and negative changes to your smile’s alignment.
Steps to Ensure a Comfortable Procedure
We know the idea of oral surgery can be anxiety-inducing, but we always take steps to ensure the process is a comfortable and positive experience for our patients. We will always numb the area directly with a local anesthesia, and then we can offer sedation to help you enter a deep and thorough state of relaxation and calm. We can choose from three different options, depending on your anxiety levels and the severity of your tooth extraction, so you avoid discomfort during the procedure.
Aftercare and Tooth Replacement
We plan the procedure in detail with digital x-rays, and once you are numbed and comfortable we will take out the tooth with a pair of forceps, and then suture the area closed. For the next day to two, you will need to follow specific aftercare instructions so a clot will form and the area will heal quickly. We then remove the sutures. If you have teeth removed that leave a gap in your smile, we could discuss replacement with a bridge or even a dental implant. We have tips to ensure you can smile with confidence, even if you need to have one or more teeth removed for your oral health.
If you have any questions about how we improve your smile with a tooth extraction, or what the procedure will entail, then contact our team today to learn more. We look forward to helping you smile with confidence for years to come, and that starts with an initial visit.
Schedule a Visit to Improve Your Smile
In some cases, removing a tooth is essential for protecting your overall oral health! To learn more about tooth extraction, call Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at (913)681-5500.
