Tooth Extraction for Pain ManagementOur oral surgeons have many sophisticated tools and treatments at their disposal to improve the health and aesthetics of your smile, but sometimes the most effective option is extracting an unhealthy or damaged tooth, especially if it is causing you pain. If you need a tooth extracted, then Dallas Oral Surgery Associates can help you every step of the way, from the initial consultation and diagnosis to providing you with the best possible aftercare so you can get back to eating, laughing, and smiling just like you used to. Why Teeth Need to be ExtractedTeeth need to be extracted for many different reasons. One of the most common extractions that we perform is the removal of wisdom teeth, which often erupt in the modern jaw in a way that causes crowding, discomfort, and damage to nearby teeth. Teeth that are suffering from advanced decay, disease, fractures, or other damage may be removed so that they can be replaced with a dental implant to improve the health of your neighboring teeth and jawbone. Teeth that are decayed are also very painful and can cause infection in your mouth. They need to be treated or removed. We may also extract teeth as part of the process of receiving dentures, as dentures must be able to form a tight seal with your gums to ensure their stability. What You Can Expect During a Tooth ExtractionWhat you can expect during a tooth extraction will depend on the nature of the tooth that we are removing. Most extractions are what we call simple extractions. This means that the tooth is readily visible, fully above the gum line and not crowded by other teeth. Other times a tooth is only partially visible because it is being crowded by nearby teeth or because it has yet to fully erupt. It might not be visible at all, only detectable by dental x-rays, but can still cause problems for neighboring teeth. In these situations, we perform what we call surgical extractions. Both types of extraction take about an hour per tooth and generally require only localized anesthesia, meaning that this is an outpatient procedure. You should experience no discomfort, though you might feel some pressure. You will also feel much better after you have the painful tooth removed. The Recovery Process After a Tooth ExtractionWe always give every single one of our patients personalized tips on how they can speed along their recovery, but here are a few things to keep in mind after your extraction. Make sure to clean the extraction site so infection does not develop, but be careful about aggravating the site by directly brushing or flossing the area where the tooth was pulled. Soft foods are best, so this is one of the few times you will hear a dentist recommend ice cream! After a few days, you should be more or less fully recovered. Safe, Easy, and Fast!Tooth extractions are one of the most common procedures our first-class oral surgeons perform, so we are experts at making sure that you experience little to no discomfort. On the contrary, having a damaged or diseased tooth removed is a great way to relieve yourself of chronic discomfort and pain. If you are interested in learning more about how having a tooth removed can benefit you and your smile, then call today to find out how Dallas Oral Surgery Associates can help you! |
