Dental Tooth Extractions In Lynnwood, WA

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Extracting Teeth

As much as it is very desirable to keep all of your natural teeth for as long as you can, sometimes there are circumstances that simply result in a tooth extraction. There are many reasons why a tooth may have to be removed; some of them good and some bad. The outcome though from a tooth extraction can now be all good. Modern day dentistry and evolving technology gives you numerous options after a tooth extraction. Let’s first look at that long reason why a tooth extraction may be either suggested or is necessary.

Some Reasons leading up to Tooth Extraction

It may be decided that you have extra teeth, or too many teeth for a smaller mouth. The solution will be to have a tooth extraction intentionally to create room or adequate space. This may also be the scenario if orthodontics is using braces to move teeth and need space. Sometimes with children baby teeth don’t fall out and require a tooth extraction. Wisdom teeth are often removed because of lack of space or they came in late and may be decayed. If a tooth is damaged, cracked, chipped, and cannot be repaired with a root canal or a bonding process it may be best to have a tooth extraction. A very loose tooth may also require a tooth extraction if it cannot be saved. If tooth decay is beyond repair, or if a root canal failed the tooth may need to be extracted. Gum disease is a frequent culprit. Without proper care the plaque on the teeth turns into tartar which in turn infects the gums and results in gum disease. Other cases may be the result of radiation to the head or neck, or the impact of oral cancer medication can develop infected teeth. Again, with the drugs necessary after an organ transplant, it may result in an infection and inevitably a tooth extraction. These are just a few general reasons. Each of us are different; our physical makeup, our lifestyles, our oral hygiene resulting in potential complications.

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Types of Tooth Extraction

There are basically two types of tooth extraction, the simple or the surgical. In either case a solid discussion should be had with your dentist prior to the extraction being the solution. You need to know the pros and cons. The simple tooth extraction can be performed by a general dentist. Usually a local anesthetic is used which numbs the jaw, nerves and the tissue surrounding the tooth. Possibly an IV anesthetic may be required as well. The dentist loosens the tooth with an instrument called an elevator. Once this is done an instrument called a forceps is then used to actually remove the tooth. A surgical extraction is more complex. If either the tooth is broken off at the gum-line or the tooth has not erupted through the gum, usually this procedure is performed by an oral surgeon. Again, a local anesthetic will be used first then an IV or general anesthesia will be administered to finish the tooth extraction. When having a tooth extraction you will experience a feeling of pressure, but not one of pain.

Tooth Extraction Risks

Having a tooth extraction is relatively simple and really doesn’t involve much risk. It what comes after the extraction that can create some problems? The neighboring teeth will start to move into the gap. If that was not the desired goal of the tooth extraction then that becomes a problem. Having that tooth gone can change how you chew your food and can change how you speak. If a tooth is removed from the front of the mouth and is quite visible it will change how you look and how you smile. You could experience a dry socket which is when the area where the tooth was removed doesn’t heal properly and an infection sets in. If you cannot replace the extracted tooth with an implant it is possible you will experience some bone loss which will could affect the surrounding teeth.

Extraction Aftercare

Depending on the size of the tooth and the socket the dentist will ask you to refrain from smoking, chewing hard or eating tough foods, have you concentrate on eating only soft foods, and avoiding strenuous physical activities for a period of time until the gums and the jaw have a chance to heal. Your socket may continue to bleed or ooze blood for several hours after the tooth extraction. You will want to pack some gauze over the socket to help control the bleeding. You’ll want the blood to clot in the empty socket. This is natural and necessary. Having a tooth extraction will have you avoiding hot liquids for 24 hours. You should also not suck through a straw, do any heavy rinsing or swishing for at least 48-72 hours after your tooth extraction. All of the precautions allow that socket to heal. Finally, you’ll want to be very careful brushing around the area were the tooth was extracted. Your dentist will provide you with instructions following your tooth extraction to reduce any possibilities of risky side effects. Most likely in about two weeks you’ll be back to any and all normal activities.

Options After Tooth Extraction

After you have healed from your tooth extraction you’ll want to schedule a consultation with your dentist to review your options in replacing that tooth and maintaining functionality and appearance if necessary. The three most common solutions today are putting in a dental implant, designing a dental bridge or introducing a removable and partial denture. The benefits of each will be addressed and the location of your tooth may dictate which solution will be best for you after your tooth extraction. If it was an upper back molar you may decide to not replace it. If it one of your front teeth you may choose to pursue an implant based on appearance. If the tooth extraction was a bottom molar a bridge may work just fine. So, even though a tooth extraction is not an ideal scenario there are options to recover and restore your bite and smile successfully.

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