Most people would like to keep a mouth full of natural teeth for their entire lives, but sometimes a tooth extraction is necessary. There are specific reasons why a dentist may recommend an extraction, and in general, it is performed if the tooth is causing pain and cannot be saved. Extraction consists of several steps as well as post-care.
Certain circumstances warrant a tooth extraction. One is if there is trauma to the tooth that also affects the surrounding gums, bone, and soft tissues. A tooth may need to be removed if there is excessive gum disease or tooth decay that has done irreparable damage to the tooth.
Extraction may also be performed if there is not enough room in the mouth for all the teeth. This crowding causes misalignment of the teeth, and tooth removal may be an initial step when someone gets braces.
The removal procedure may require just a simple extraction or a surgical one, and the steps are similar for both methods.
Prior to removal, the dentist will numb the tooth and areas surrounding it so the patient will not feel any pain.
During extraction, the tooth is removed from its socket. To do so, the dentist rocks the tooth back and forth to widen the socket so the tooth can be separated from the associated ligament. Next, the dentist uses forceps to grasp the tooth and pull it out of the socket.
After the tooth is removed, the dentist must close the space where it used to be. Any loose bone or infected tissue will be removed, and the socket will be compressed so it can return to its original size. If there are any sharp edges of bone, the dentist will round them off.
The dentist will apply firm pressure with gauze to minimize any bleeding. If the tooth extraction was performed surgically, the dentist will stitch up the removal site to prevent infection.
The recovery process after tooth extraction typically takes a few days. Immediately after the removal, the patient may need to keep the gauze on the site and retain pressure for 30 to 60 minutes to help control bleeding. If there is swelling, an ice pack can be used on the face.
Other things the patient can do to speed up recovery, reduce infection risk, and lessen soreness include:
Some pain and swelling are normal after the extraction. However, patients should contact the dentist if there is excessive bleeding, severe pain, fever, or excessive discharge from the site.
If someone needs a tooth extraction, it helps to know what to expect. Following the proper recovery advice is also important to reduce the risk of infection and to minimize healing time.
Are you considering tooth extraction in the Hemet area? Get more information at https://hemetdentalcenter.com.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Tooth Extraction in Hemet, CA.
Of the many services dentists provide, tooth extraction is among the most frequent. There are various reasons why this treatment may be necessary. Though it can be difficult to have missing teeth, removing one can be beneficial for some conditions. If your dentist has recommended that you undergo this procedure, it is helpful to first…
Teeth extraction is a popular procedure in dentistry, but also the most feared. When a tooth gets broken or damaged due to trauma or infection, the dentist will attempt a repair with a dental crown, filling or root canal treatment. However, the damage or infection may be so severe that the only alternative is to…
Tooth extractions almost always spur at least a little tenderness. This tenderness typically lasts for a couple days. If you experience discomfort following your tooth extraction, do not panic as it probably will not last more than half a week at the most. The patient's level of pain ultimately varies by the procedure complexity and…
When you need to have tooth extractions, you may be interested in learning more about what to expect from the process. About 85 percent of people will need to have their wisdom teeth removed in their lives, and approximately 16 percent of elderly adults have had all of their teeth extracted. These percentages show how…
If you have a gap in your teeth, you may want to consider a partial denture for one missing tooth. The gap may be affecting your appearance and lowering your self-confidence. Even if the missing tooth is in the back and is not very noticeable, it is important to replace it because there are long-term…
Millions of Americans have a partial denture for one missing tooth. Partial dentures are similar to natural teeth in that sometimes they do not fit well or crack, fracture, or chip. When any of these situations occur, be sure to seek out a dentist to fix the issue quickly. Repairing broken dentures is important for…