Compelling Reasons Why You Need to Undergo a Tooth Extraction Procedure

Unprecedented occurrences may compel your oral surgeon to perform a dental extraction procedure despite how well you maintain good oral hygiene. If your tooth is severely decayed or destroyed and can’t be repaired by fillings or dental crowns, your dentist may extract your tooth. Mouth trauma may lead to tooth knock-out, and a dental extraction procedure becomes the last resort if your specialist can’t save your natural tooth from permanent loss. An impacted wisdom tooth is painful and may require an extraction. If you have anxiety about dental extraction, our specialists at Peak Dental in South Austin, TX, relieve your pain through local anesthesia and ensure you are comfortable during the process.

Why You Require a Dental Extraction

Losing a permanent tooth can be demeaning, but there are compelling issues that may necessitate tooth extraction in adulthood. Tooth infection and the need for space for a prosthetic procedure may require tooth removal. If you undergo chemotherapy or have had an organ transplant recently, your teeth may be removed to ensure your oral health is preserved. Your oral surgeon may administer local, intravenous, or general anesthesia to alleviate pain during your appointment. Below are various reasons why you need to undergo tooth removal:

• Severely damaged tooth that’s not easily repaired due to traumatic injuries
• Periodontal diseases
• Crowded teeth
• Impacted wisdom teeth
• Severe tooth decay
• Dental abscess around your tooth
• Creating space for dental prosthetics like braces

Types of Dental Extraction Procedures

According to the American Dental Association, tooth removal procedure depends on the tooth’s position, size, shape, and location in your mouth.  Your oral surgeon determines whether you’ll undergo a surgical or straightforward extraction process.  Wisdom tooth extraction is viable if your wisdom tooth is impacted and painful since it can’t fully emerge from your gum line. Failure to extract an impacted wisdom tooth may lead to severe pain and other dental issues. Here are the two categories used in tooth removal by our oral surgeons at Peak Dental in South Austin, TX:

Surgical Extraction

It involves the removal of gum tissue or a cut into your gum.  Your oral surgeon removes a portion of your bone and extracts your tooth. Sedation is used during the extraction process, and you are likely to remain unconscious throughout the whole procedure. A surgical extraction is used during the removal of impacted wisdom teeth.

Simple Extraction Procedure

The procedure is done on a visible tooth that’s above your gum line. The process is painless since it involves administering local, intravenous, or general anesthesia to numb the extraction site. The method is applicable during the removal of loose teeth from their sockets.

It’s crucial to consult your oral surgeon on the ideal extraction procedure before your appointment. The specialist will evaluate your medical history since some medication may limit you from undergoing dental extraction.

What the Dental Extraction Procedure Entails

Wisdom tooth extraction procedure is surgically invasive since your tooth is impacted beneath your gum line.  Your oral surgeon follows various steps to ensure you undergo a successful extraction process. During your appointment, your oral specialist will follow the steps below:

• Taking digital X-rays to analyze your dental curvature and tooth-root position
• Administering local anesthesia to numb the extraction site before extraction
• Removal of obstructing tissue around the tooth that’s to be extracted
• Extraction of the affected, infected or severely decayed tooth

After the extraction procedure, stitches and additional control measures are done to control bleeding. The American Dental Association may recommend using gauze over the extraction site to initiate clotting and facilitate healing.

Aftercare Tips on How to Recover From a Dental Extraction Procedure

The recovery process takes a few days, and the following tips are vital in ensuring your extraction site recovers fast:

• Apply a cold pack on the cheek to minimize swelling
• Use a gauze pad over the extraction site to reduce bleeding.
• Take recommended medication to alleviate pain.
• Avoid using a straw for drinks that may cause bleeding.
• Rinse your mouth after 24 hours
• Floss and brush routinely, but avoid the extraction site.
• Avoid smoking, which weakens your dental structure and hinder a faster healing process.
• Eat soft foods to avoid hurting your extraction site.

You are likely to experience some discomfort that fades during your healing process. If your pain is prolonged, you need to visit your dentist for examination and ideal treatment.