Extractions
Do I Need an Extraction?
Probably not. If you have seen a dentist in the last year, and floss and brush regularly the odds are in your favor. A filling or crown is most likely the best solution for you. If, however, you are a stranger to the dental office AND toothpaste, then perhaps an extraction is the right treatment for you.
The following are reasons for extraction:
- Badly broken tooth and or root
- Decay to the bone over 80%
- Bone can’t support the tooth due to trauma or decay
- Extensive crowding
- Tooth developed in a weird location or position
- Extra tooth
- Treatment has failed and pain continues
- To allow for a longer lasting treatment
If you have a tooth that needs to be extracted, don’t delay. Make your appoint now!
Do Extractions Hurt?
With modern medicine and techniques most extractions surprisingly quick and comfortable. Not everyone wants to verify that statement so we provide additional options such as laughing gas, conscious sedation, and IV sedation.
What you do AFTER surgery is just as important as how your surgery goes. Have you stocked up on soft foods, protein drinks, and Ibuprofen and Tylenol? Those are good things to have on hand after surgery.
The mouth heals incredibly fast, and following a few recommendations can enhance that ability.
- Take it easy the first 3 days after surgery let your muscles and tissues have time to recover
- That means soft foods and nutrient rich beverages
- Extra Vitamin C really kick starts your body’s ability to heal
- Cold compresses reduce swelling
- Saltwater rinses are amazing for the first week.
- Attend you post-surgical visit- it matters!
What Are Your Options?
Extractions permanently remove a tooth. Sometimes that is the right and only option for the patient. Sometimes, there are way more options- consider that a tooth only works when chewing against the opposite tooth- in other words, teeth come in pairs so when one is removed the other is effectively made useless, and the patient loses. Additionally, nature abhors a void- so the space vacated by the tooth will fill in with all manner of things: the tongue, the neighboring teeth, the cheek, and temporarily anything you’re eating at the time.
When given a choice between saving a tooth and pulling it- too often pulling is the quick and cheaper option. Sometimes it’s for the best as it allows for sleep and focus at home and work. But, there are so many more options when it comes to saving a tooth: root canals, fillings, crowns are standard fare for saving teeth.
What Can I Do WIth the Space After Extraction?
Replacing teeth has never had so many options:
- Nothing- at least the painful and infected tooth is gone
- Full Arch Implant Restoration– a full denture screwed onto implants
- Implant– anchors the tooth in bone and can last 40 years
- Bridge– uses the neighboring teeth to anchor the tooth 5-20 years
- Partial– snap in and out option that can last for several years
Choices make more sense when you have a skilled and interested professional working to help you get what you want. We want to help. Call us at 801-782-9269.