Even though permanent teeth are designed to last a lifetime, there are a variety of situations in which tooth extraction may be necessary. Some common causes are trauma and decay. Sunny Dental offers a handful of solutions for these types of problems. Our well-practiced dentist completes the extraction process in the most comfortable way.
When is a tooth extraction necessary?
Having your teeth extracted may be advised if you have serious dental decay (cavities), a broken or damaged tooth, or gum condition. When feasible, healthcare professionals prefer to preserve natural teeth. However, there are situations when additional restorative measures, like root canals or fillings, can no longer preserve your teeth. If your tooth has suffered severe damage that cannot be repaired, extraction may be necessary.
Sunny Dental tries its best to fix your teeth rather than pull them out because we believe teeth are important for normal activities as well as making you smile more confident. But if extraction is the final solution, then our dentists promise to make the treatment as comfortable as possible.
How is tooth extraction done?
There are many ways of pulling out a tooth from the mouth. But dentists in general use two types of extraction.
- A normal extraction: It is a simple way to pull out a tooth. A visible tooth that needs to be extracted is first numbed by applying local anesthesia. Then our dentist will gently loosen the tooth with the help of an instrument called an elevator. When the tooth is ready to be pulled out, the dentist uses forceps to remove it.
- A surgical extraction: This process is more complex and required in special dental cases like broken off teeth at the gum line or part of them remaining in the mouth. The dentist will cut a small part of your gum to remove the underlying tooth because it is not possible to remove it using forceps. The gums and teeth will be numb so that you do not have to feel the pain.
Common Reasons of Tooth Extraction
Here are some situations where pulling teeth out are necessary:
- Impaction of teeth, most often the wisdom teeth, prevents the tooth from developing through the gum.
- A gum infection or dental infection that has compromised the tooth’s root
- A fractured or damaged tooth that cannot be fixed due to trauma or injury
- Teeth that are so severely decayed or infected by periodontal disease that they cannot be fixed with a dental crown, filling, or root canal
- Crowding or malocclusion of the teeth
What is done after tooth extraction?
Your dentist will send you home to heal after the extraction with gauze in your mouth for 30 to 40 minutes to stop the bleeding. Usually, recovery takes several days. The following can help lessen pain, lower the chance of infection, and smooth recovery.
- After the operation, place an ice pack on your cheek to minimize swelling. Each time, apply the ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes.
- All medications, as well as over-pain relievers, should be taken as instructed.
- As usual, brush and floss between your teeth, but gently around the extraction site.
- Eat soft foods the day after the surgery, such as yogurt, pudding, and applesauce.
- For the first 24 hours, take it easy and rest well.
If your pain is not relieved after a few days or if you notice anything unusual and discomforting, then make an appointment with your dentist immediately. Negligence can create a serious situation.
