When a tooth is too decayed or infected to receive a crown, or if wisdom teeth are soon to erupt, then we may recommend removing a tooth. With tooth extraction, our team can help safeguard your smile. In today’s blog, your Katy, TX, dentist looks at the reasons to have a tooth extracted.
The Reasons to Have a Tooth Removed
When we see damage too severe to be addressed with a restoration, or if your decay or infection is too severe for a crown or root canal, then the risk of infection reaching other parts of your smile increases. Which is why we may remove a tooth, to safeguard your smile as a whole. We could also take out teeth loosened by gum disease, or to improve chewing function and bite balance. Our team could also extract teeth to aid in orthodontic treatment. If you have wisdom teeth poised to erupt, we could take them out before they do to avoid painful impaction, infection, or misalignment from developing. If you’ve lost most of your teeth, we could remove the last few to pave the way for impact dentures. A safe and comfortable tooth extraction could safeguard your smile!
Tooth Extraction
The procedure itself can often be completed in as little as 30 minutes. First, we will gather detailed digital x-rays to assess the position of the tooth and plan the treatment in detail. We then numb the area and administer sedation to help you enter a relaxed and calm state, with little to no memory of the procedure afterward. We then employ a pair of forceps to gently loosen and remove the tooth or teeth in question. The area is then sutured closed, and a friend or family member can bring you home.
Recovery
We will send you home with detailed instructions to ensure a complication-free healing period, as well as medications to facilitate a comfortable recovery. In a follow up visit we will remove sutures too. You should avoid straws, be gentle when you brush and floss, eat soft foods, and avoid prodding the area with your tongue for the first day. You want a clot to form and not dislodge to help it heal. After a day or two, you can return to normal activities.
Do You Need a Prosthetic?
If you have a gap in your smile, we could fill it with a dental prosthetic, such as a bridge or a dental implant. If you have any questions, then give us a call.
Your Katy, TX, Dentist Offers Restorative Dentistry!
Our team is ready to help you avoid the impact of a severe tooth decay and infection. Call Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849 for more information or to schedule your appointment.
