Did you know that sometimes removing a tooth is key to preserving your smile’s health and appearance? If a wisdom tooth is poised to erupt, or a tooth becomes severely damaged, an extraction may prevent serious complications for your smile’s beauty and function. How does your Dallas, TX, dentist save smiles with a dental extraction?
For many people, the end of their teen years and the beginning of adulthood means serious changes for their smile. Up to four additional molars could erupt in this time. For some, this isn’t a big deal. For others however, these additional teeth may cause misalignment, infection, damaged teeth, painful impaction (partial eruption), and other problems. In order to avoid these issues and preserve the smile, we may remove the wisdom teeth prior to eruption. We will open the gums above them and gently remove them form their sockets. We then close and suture the area, offering detailed instructions for the following hours and days to ensure a comfortable and successful healing period.
Of course, wisdom teeth are not the only reason we may recommend a dental extraction. Removing a tooth may be necessary if they become cracked, which could expose the root and inner pulp to harmful bacteria and cause infection. The procedure also helps correct alignment, as removing a tooth could make room to reposition the others. If a tooth becomes severely infected, removal could prevent the spread of infection. We may also take out teeth that become loose due to untreated gum disease.
First, we begin by answering any questions you may have and carefully explaining what to expect. Next, we administer local anesthetic to the area around the extraction site. For patients with dental anxiety we may administer nitrous oxide or oral sedation, which helps them enter a calm and relaxed state. They stay conscious, but have little to no memory of the procedure afterward. After we remove the tooth, we will take steps to preserve the site if tooth replacement is an option, or suture the area closed and offer instructions for facilitating the healing process. We’re here to answer any questions about eating and drinking in the following days and hours, and will schedule follow-up visits as well. If you have any questions about the process, or if you think you may benefit from having a tooth removed, please let us know!
If you need to have one or more teeth removed, we can do so safely and comfortably. To learn more about our approach to restorative dentistry, then please contact us today by calling 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE) to schedule an appointment with your Dallas, TX, dentist!
If you are experiencing tooth loss, you may notice that it has changed the way…
Your child should see the dentist twice a year, just like you. These visits help…
When was the last time you visited a dentist for a dental exam? We agree…
When you have persistent but unexplained jaw pain and headaches, this could be an oral…
In a recent blog, we discussed how you can prevent cavities. However, these can still…
Tooth decay and periodontal disease are two of the most prevalent problems that dental patients…
