Extractions

Having a teeth removed is hardly something that a person wants to do, but in some cases extractions are the best or even the only option. For instance when a tooth is very badly damaged from injury and trauma or decay it can sometimes be easier and less expensive to remove the tooth entirely than to try to salvage it with no guarantee that you won’t just end up needing it pulled down the road. There are also cosmetic procedures that require extractions in order to get the best results when it comes to the overall look of your smile.

Some of the cases where extractions are helpful include when a tooth is badly decayed and damaged beyond repair as well as when a person has too many teeth in their mouth which is causing overcrowding that affects the other teeth. As well, a person who for cosmetic or dental health reasons has decided to get dental implants or another form of replacement teeth may need to extract one or more tooth to accommodate the replacements or to achieve the desired result from their cosmetic dentistry procedure. An example of this could be an adult who is missing several teeth and opting to get dentures or implants to not replace the missing teeth. They may prefer to extract one or more of the natural teeth left in order to achieve a matching and more natural looking smile. Also, someone who has had enamel loss and has weak teeth as a result would benefit from dental implants or possibly which provide a stronger tooth structure that can also help prevent bone loss.

Extractions don’t generally cause much, if any, pain or discomfort during the actual procedure because a local anesthetic is used to numb the area around the tooth.  In some cases conscious sedation or even sleep sedation is an option so a patient really doesn’t feel a thing during the extraction. When you go in for your appointment to have a tooth pulled the dentist will give you an injection to numb the area and then use a grasping tool that will allow him to pry or ‘wiggle’ the tooth loose until it comes out completely. Recovery time is usually only a day or two and may include some minimal swelling and discomfort which is easily remedied with an ice pack and over-the-counter pain medication. The most common complaint from patients after an extraction usually has to do with waiting for the numbing from the anesthetic to wear off. If you have more than one tooth extracted then your recovery time may be longer and require a prescription strength pain medication. Most patients are usually back to themselves and going about their daily business within a couple of days.

Having teeth extracted is far more comfortable than ever before not only thanks to the anesthetic and sedation options available but also because of the various comforts and services offered by your dentist to make your dental procedures more comfortable and relaxing.