How Our Team Extracts Compromised Teeth
When a tooth is compromised and beyond the ability to be repaired with restorations like crowns or fillings, then we may need to remove it to protect the smile as a whole. Our team can offer a safe and gentle tooth extraction. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about extracting teeth.
The Tooth Extraction Process
How do we remove teeth from your smile? First, we will take digital x-rays of your smile so we can pinpoint the position of the tooth and plan the procedure in detail. We then numb the area where the extraction is taking place. Our team may also administer a dental sedation to help you enter a calm and relaxed state, so you have little to no memory of the procedure. This is especially helpful for those with dental anxiety. We then use a pair of forceps to gently extract the tooth. We suture the area closed, and a friend or family member can take you home, as sedation takes time to wear off completely.
What Happens Next?
Once you’re home, you can take any prescribed medications as instructed, and avoid issues that could complicate the healing period. For example, don’t use straws, eat solid food, or poke the site with your tongue for the first 24 hours, as a clot needs to form and we don’t want to dislodge and cause dry socket, which is quite uncomfortable. Be gentle when you brush and floss and our team can remove sutures in a follow-up visit. In some cases, replacing the missing tooth isn’t necessary, but if the extraction does leave a gap behind, we could discuss dental bridges or even dental implants to fill this gap and preserve your smile.
When a Smile Needs Tooth Extraction
When do we recommend removing a tooth? We could suggest this if you have a tooth beyond the ability to be repaired with a crown or filling, following damage or severe decay or infection. We could take out teeth loosened by gum disease, or to make room for orthodontic treatment. Taking out wisdom teeth before they erupt helps protect smiles from the onset of painful partial eruptions known as impactions, as well as infection, misalignment, and damaged teeth. If you have lost most of your teeth, then we could extract the remaining few to make room for a complete denture.
If you have any questions about how our team treats teeth that need removal, then contact us to learn more about tooth extraction.
Talk To Your Cleveland, TX Dentist About Restorative Dentistry
We want to help preserve the health, function, and beauty of your smile. For more information on protecting your oral health, then contact your Cleveland, TX, dentist, Dr. Uhrenholdt, by calling (281) 592-1234.