What happens when a tooth develops damage or an oral health concern too severe to be treated with a restoration, such as a crown or filling? In these situations, lack of action could leave the smile vulnerable to a host of serious complications. In today’s blog, your St. Louis, MO, dentist’s office talks about when a tooth extraction is necessary!
The Need to Remove a Tooth
When do we need to extract a tooth? This could be recommended if you have wisdom teeth poised to erupt, as their arrival could mean a painful impaction, misalignment, infection, and damaged teeth. We could take out teeth too damaged or decayed/infected for treatment, as this could spread to other teeth or into the jawbone. Extraction could help improve chewing function and bite balance, or aid in orthodontic treatment too.
Planning the Procedure
Our team will take detailed digital images, so we can assess the position of the tooth in question, and plan the extraction to ensure we avoid sinus cavities and nerve tissues. To ensure the oral surgery is a comfortable experience, we will numb the area around the extraction site, and also discuss various sedation options to help you enter a calm and relaxed state. You won’t have any memory of the procedure, and this can ensure a comfortable experience if you or a member of your family has dental anxiety.
The Extraction Process
Once you’re relaxed, we will use a pair of forceps to gently remove the tooth. We then suture the area closed. We always recommend having a friend or family member on hand to bring you home, as the sedation often takes time to wear off completely and you can’t drive yourself home. We will send you home with prescriptions for medications and detailed aftercare instructions.
Aftercare
You will need to rest for a day or two, avoiding strenuous activity. You should eat soft foods, be very gentle when you brush and floss, and avoid poking the site with your tongue. Part of the healing process involves letting a clot form, and dislodging it could cause painful complications. Take your prescribed medications as instructed. You will return for a follow up visit so we can remove the sutures. While we don’t need to replace wisdom teeth, most extractions leave a gap in your smile. Our team could discuss the use of implant dentistry to return your smile to optimal health, function, and attractiveness.
If you have any questions about tooth extraction, then contact our team today to learn more.
Our St. Louis, MO Dentist’s Office Discusses Tooth Removal
We want to help you preserve the health and function of your smile. For more information on restorative dentistry, then reach out to Magnolia Family Dental in St. Louis, MO today at 314-822-4521.
