When a tooth can no longer be repaired with a dental restoration, or if wisdom teeth are soon to erupt, you may need a tooth extraction to avoid major complications with your oral health. Fortunately, we can extract teeth safely and gently. In today’s blog, your Katy, TX, dentist talks about the tooth extraction process.
When a Tooth Should Be Removed
When is a tooth beyond repair? If the damage is very severe, or if a cavity or infection has been ignored until the tooth structure is compromised, we may remove it to protect the rest of your teeth and your jaw. We could take out the ones loosened by gum disease, or remove one to make room for orthodontic treatment too. Tooth extraction could also be used to prepare a smile for the placement of dentures. The most common reason is to avoid wisdom teeth impaction. As we enter adulthood, many of us will see up to four new molars erupt in the rear of the mouth. These can lead to misalignment, infection, damaged teeth, and painful partial eruptions known as an impaction. But extraction prevents these complications from arising!
The Extraction Process
Our team will take detailed digital x-rays and intraoral camera images of your mouth to plan the procedure in detail. We identify the position of the tooth and plan the removal to avoid nerve tissues and sinus cavities. We then numb your smile and offer sedation to help you enter a calm and relaxed state, with little to no memory of the procedure itself afterward. Using a pair of forceps, we will gently remove the tooth in question and suture the site closed. As sedation takes time to wear off, you should have a friend or family member on hand to bring you home afterward.
What Happens Next?
For the next day or two, you should rest and avoid strenuous activities. Eat soft foods during this time, and be very gentle when you brush and floss. A clot needs to form as part of the healing process, and dislodging it could cause a painful dry socket. We will remove sutures in a follow up visit, and you will have prescriptions for medications to facilitate a comfortable and effective healing period. If you have gaps left behind, we could discuss bridges or dental implants to restore your smile to optimal health and function.
If you have any questions about our approach to tooth extraction, then contact our team today.
Your Katy, TX, Dentist Provides General Dentistry
We would like to help you avoid the complications of wisdom teeth or severe dental infection. Call Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849 for more information on general dental care, or to schedule your appointment.
