Learn All About How Getting A Tooth Extracted Can Boost General Oral Health
OFTEN, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS STEP ONE OF OBTAINING YOUR NEW AND IMPROVED SMILE
Years ago, when you were still a little kid, pulling a tooth signaled a little money from the tooth fairy. However, when you got all your adult teeth, losing a tooth became much less fun. There are plenty of reasons why you might have a dental extraction to help your dental health, such as an impacted tooth, to avoid overcrowding, or an injured tooth. Even though a dental extraction might not sound like a good time, it's no longer as intimidating or uncomfortable as it once was. With modern techniques and multiple sedation options, MINT dentistry in Waxahachie makes dental extractions a bit easier in case you need one. Our staff in Waxahachie, TX will carefully examine the affected tooth prior to suggesting an extraction. If a tooth has to be pulled, our staff works hard to make sure you stay relaxed from beginning to end. Read on to learn about the two types of tooth extractions and common reasons why a tooth or teeth might need to be extracted.
TYPES OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are multiple reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted. To begin, the team at MINT dentistry in Waxahachie will establish the reason for your oral issue. Then, they will be able to determine which kind of tooth extraction best suits your case. The majority of dental extractions fall into two primary categories:
- SIMPLE EXTRACTION
Your dental practitioner will conduct a simple extraction if the tooth can be seen above the gumline. The tooth can be loosened with a dental tool called an elevator, and then the tooth and root are removed from the jawbone and gums. A simple extraction is mainly chosen if a tooth is severely infected, extremely decayed, or damaged beyond repair, or to make room for overcrowded teeth. - SURGICAL EXTRACTION
An extraction surgery will be conducted if the crown hasn't totally erupted out of the gumline. This means that an incision is required to remove the tooth below the gums. If necessary, the tooth could be cut into many pieces for a smoother extraction. This method is generally utilized to pull the wisdom teeth or an impacted tooth.
COMMON REASONS YOU MIGHT HAVE TO HAVE A TOOTH REMOVED
Many types of dental problems could result in needing a tooth extraction. Among the top reasons adults in Waxahachie, TX will have a dental extraction is to prevent a tooth eruption problem. These are a few of the other common reasons you might require a dental extraction:
- WISDOM TEETH
Your third molars, frequently referred to as the wisdom teeth, will, in all likelihood, have to be removed. The modern human jaw normally isn't big enough fit these additional teeth, so as they start to grow out of the gums (typically from ages 15 – 22), your dentist might recommend a surgical extraction. It's key to have the back molars removed as soon as possible, before they get impacted or infected. However, a small number of people never need to get their third molars extracted. Very rarely, some fortunate people don't grow all four molars or even any whatsoever! - INJURY TO THE TOOTH
Regrettably, bad luck can happen to the best of us, and, occasionally, our teeth might be affected. While the preferred solution is usually to attempt to save the tooth, it isn't always possible. The injury may be a result of a car collision or perhaps a sports or workplace incident, but whatever the reason, patients in Waxahachie, TX really should arrange a consultation with a dentist if they've experienced an oral injury. In some cases, the damage isn't obvious to a nonprofessional. - SEVERE DECAY
If a dental cavity is neglected or not handled in time, it can spread to the pulp inside the tooth. Even though a root canal might possibly be conducted to preserve the tooth, it might have to be extracted if the damage is bad enough to compromise the tooth's structure. A simple extraction may keep the decay and disease from spreading to other teeth, the gum tissue, jaw, and, finally, your bloodstream. - TOOTH OVERCROWDING
Often, one or more teeth may need to be taken out before an orthodontic treatment, for example, Invisalign or braces. These treatments are made to move the teeth into their straightest positions, which could require pulling one or more teeth if there is not enough space so the remaining teeth are able to fit. Tooth overcrowding is typically resolved with simple extraction. - TOOTH IMPACTION
When you have an impacted tooth, it means there is some sort of problem preventing the tooth from growing out of the gums. An impacted tooth could be impeded by a baby tooth that still hasn't come out naturally, or it might be developing in an abnormal direction and is obstructed by a neighboring adult (permanent) tooth. Based on the reason for the impaction, the dentist may recommend a surgical or simple extraction to alleviate pain or avoid an infection.
HEALING PERIOD FOR A DENTAL EXTRACTION
Following a dental extraction, it's crucial to understand and carefully adhere to your dentist’s recovery directions. A simple extraction will generally need less recovery time than a surgical extraction; however, it will be different for each case. You might be written a prescription for antibiotics to prevent infection, as well as a pain reliever. You may opt to follow a soft foods diet for the immediate few days following the procedure, when the area is sore and healing. This is a fantastic opportunity to indulge in a little ice cream, but you ought to also make soup, etc., for more vitamin-rich meals. You need to avoid consuming all tobacco products, leading up to and following your treatment, because they will impair your body's ability to heal properly. Your dentist might suggest using an antibiotic oral rinse until you are released to go back to brushing and flossing again.
THE ROAD TO A HEALTHIER, MORE APPROACHABLE SMILE MAY INVOLVE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A dental extraction could be performed for many reasons, including to keep decay from traveling throughout the body, to avoid an impaction, or just to give your remaining teeth additional space. Treating all of these problems at MINT dentistry in Waxahachie is important in obtaining your healthiest, most alluring smile. Call our office in Waxahachie, TX to schedule a consultation with our knowledgeable staff to find out if a surgical or simple extraction might be the most effective choice for your dental health.