Need a Tooth Pulled | Surgical Extraction Specialist

Need a Tooth Pulled | Surgical Extraction Specialist 

Pulling a Tooth: 

"If a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay, your dentist will try to fix it with a filling, crown or other dental treatment. But when there's too much damage for the tooth to be repaired, the tooth may need to be extracted — or removed — from its socket in the bone. 

There are two types of dental extractions: 

• A simple extraction – this procedure is on a tooth that can be seen in the mouth. For a simple extraction, the dentist loosens the tooth with an instrument called an elevator. Then the dentist uses forceps to remove the tooth.
• A surgical extraction – this is a more complex procedure, which is used if a tooth may have broken off at the gum line or has not erupted in the mouth. The oral surgeon will make a small incision into your gum to surgically remove the broken tooth or impacted wisdom tooth. 

Why Can't a Tooth be Saved: 

The American Dental Association (ADA) Mouth Healthy site suggests teeth are usually removed due to trauma, disease or crowding. When a tooth cannot be repaired with a filling or a crown because of an accident or extensive decay, an extraction may be your best recourse. Teeth that aren't supported by enough bone due to periodontal disease are also candidates for removal, according to Warren Dentistry, necessitating the use of a gum-protecting toothpaste like Colgate Total® Clean Mint following extraction. Infected (abscessed) teeth that don't respond to root canal treatment may need to be taken out, as well. 

Keep in mind it's not unusual for an orthodontist to recommend an extraction or two before orthodontic treatment begins because of crowed teeth. Similarly, wisdom teeth are frequently extracted because of the awkward position in which they grow behind your molars. 

Reasons for Surgical Extractions: 

By taking an x-ray and examining your tooth, your dentist can usually determine whether or not your extraction will be simple or surgical. But there are times when a simple extraction turns into a surgical. If a tooth breaks off during the procedure, for instance, it may need to be taken out in pieces. 

Wisdom teeth often face surgical extraction because they're usually impacted, meaning they are not completely erupted into the mouth. This condition requires cutting through bone and tissue. Removing severely broken down teeth, root tips or teeth with long-curved roots are other examples of surgical extractions. Then there are times when the bone around a tooth has become dense, resulting in the need for surgical treatment. 

Post-Extraction Instructions: 

With surgical extractions, you'll most likely have one or more stitches at the extraction site. Regardless of whether your extraction is simple or surgical, it's always important to closely follow your dentist's after-care instructions to speed recovery and avoid any complications. The Reading Oral Surgery Group recommends the following:

• Bite down on a gauze pad for 30 minutes after the extraction to help stop the bleeding.
• Avoid unnecessary talking, eating and drinking for the first two hours after extraction.
• Drink plenty of lukewarm or cold liquids after the bleeding subsides.
• Maintain your diet, but start with clear liquids and soft foods for the first day.
• Don't rinse or brush your teeth for 12 hours.
• Avoid the surgical area when brushing, although you can gently rinse with a diluted mouthwash or 1/4 teaspoon of table salt in a glass of lukewarm water
• Don't use straws, smoke or spit forcefully as long as there is bleeding.
• Follow your dentist's instructions on using any prescribed pain medications.
• Call your dentist if you have any persistent pain or bleeding. 

The surgical extraction of teeth may sound a bit daunting, but with today's modern procedures and anesthesia, you have nothing to worry about. Afterwards, you and your dentist can discuss tooth replacement options to restore the function and beauty to your smile. All of this info and more can be found at https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/procedures/tooth-removal/when-surgical-extraction-of-teeth-is-necessary-0215" 

In Need of a Dental Extraction: 

Here at LADD Dental Group, our comprehensive team of dentist and dental specialists work together to provide our patients with the Gold Standard in dental care! Give us a call today at 765-455-0085, and experience the LADD Dental difference! Check the video below of out wisdom tooth specialist, Dr. Patel, working with one of his awesome patients!