Hearing that you need a tooth removed is never fun. After you are told, it’s common for your mind to start racing as you begin to think about the procedure and what it’s going to feel like afterward.
Fear is a natural emotion but it doesn’t have to exist once you learn how simple a tooth extraction really is. At Precision Family Dental, you can rest assured that you are in good hands and we will do our absolute best to ensure that your experience is as pain-free as possible.
You can expect a tooth extraction to be a fairly . Depending on how many teeth you need removed, it may even be over much sooner than you predicted.
In this blog we’ll be discussing the reasons for a tooth extraction, the steps our dentist will take during the procedure itself, and what you need to do once it’s over.
Reasons for Extraction
Oftentimes, if a tooth is broken or damaged by decay, our dentist can make the repair with a filling, crown, or other similar treatment. When damage is too severe, however, those fixes are no longer an option and Dr. Piotrowski may recommend extraction.
Possible motivations for tooth extraction include:
- Trauma or injury
- Tooth decay or infection
- Orthodontic correction
- Advanced periodontal disease
- Fractured teeth or roots
- Impacted teeth
- Malpositioned teeth
Each patient is different. Before we move ahead with treatment, our dentist will fully assess your condition and determine if tooth extraction is indeed the correct path to pursue.
Procedure
Prior to the tooth removal, our dentist will take a few of the tooth in question to observe its shape, length, and position. Information gathered from the X-rays will help our dentist determine if you need to be referred to an oral surgeon.
The extraction will begin with the application of a local anesthetic to properly numb the area around your tooth. Once the area is numb, our dentist will employ the use of a tool called an elevator which helps loosen the tooth. Forceps will then be used to remove the tooth.
After removal, our dentist may need to close the area with a few stitches.
Post-Procedure
Practicing good oral hygiene after a tooth extraction is essential. You will need to keep the area clean to prevent any possible infection. You will receive dry gauze following the procedure that you will be expected to bite down on for 30-45 minutes to limit bleeding while clotting occurs.
We recommend that you avoid smoking, rinse your mouth thoroughly, and adequately brush the teeth next to the extraction site. There may be some discomfort after the procedure but over-the-counter pain medication or an ice pack should help relieve pain and swelling.
Call Us Today
Are you experiencing tooth pain? You may require a tooth extraction. Don’t worry, will perform the procedure carefully to prevent any further pain. To schedule an appointment, contact us online or call Precision Family Dental today at (616) 949-1570.