When Smiles Benefit From Tooth Extraction

celina tooth extractionIf you have a tooth that is severely decayed or infected, or if you have wisdom teeth poised to arrive, this could threaten your entire smile. By removing them, we can protect your smile from major complications. In today’s blog, your Celina, TX, dentist talks about our approach to tooth extraction.

The Risks of Infection and Wisdom Teeth

Essentially, tooth extraction is provided for teeth that cannot be treated with a restoration, such as a filling or crown. This could include untreated cavities and infection, or a severely cracked or chipped tooth. Leaving them in place could allow infection to reach other parts of the smile. We also take out teeth loosened by gum disease, or remove one to make room for orthodontic treatment. The most common reason is to prevent wisdom tooth impaction. As we approach adulthood, up to four new teeth could erupt in the rear of our mouth. Since there isn’t usually room for them, this could mean a painful partial eruption known as an impaction, as well as dental misalignment, infection, and damaged teeth. To preserve the health, function, and beauty of your smile, we will simply take them out before they erupt.

Planning Treatment

First, we need to identify the position of the tooth in questions, and to plan the extraction. We will take digital x-rays images and intraoral camera images so we can plan removal while avoiding sinus cavities and nerve tissues. To ensure you’re comfortable, we will not only provide a local anesthesia to the area, but we can offer dental sedation to help you enter a calm and relaxed state, often with little to no memory of the procedure at all.

Tooth Extraction

The extraction process is a simple one. Once you’re comfortable, we will gently extract the tooth in question with a pair of forceps. Next, we suture the area closed and send you home with not only detailed aftercare instructions, but prescriptions for medications to keep you comfortable and assist in the healing process. Usually, patients only need a day of rest.

Tooth Replacement

While wisdom teeth don’t need to be replaced, we could recommend a prosthetic should you lose one or more teeth to infection or injury. We could address minor tooth loss with a bridge or individual dental implant, and we also have full and partial dentures as well. If you have any questions about how to address teeth that need to be removed, or about replacement options, then contact our team today to learn more.

Do You Need Oral Surgery?

If you would like to find out more about how we facilitate a safe and comfortable tooth extraction. then contact your Celina, TX, dentist, Dr. Newton, by calling (214) 851-0130.