When you have a tooth that has developed a severe case of infection, or a wisdom tooth soon to erupt we may recommend a tooth extraction. Sometimes, removing a tooth is actually crucial for keeping your smile strong and healthy. In today’s blog, your Woodland Hills, CA, dentist talks about how we gently extract a tooth.
When We Prescribe an Extraction
Essentially, an extraction is recommended for teeth that cannot be treated with a filling or crown, in situations in which leaving them in place could treat further tooth loss and pain. For example, a severely damaged tooth, or one with advanced decay or infection that could spread to other teeth. We also remove teeth loosened by gum disese, or to make room for orthodontic treatment. We could take out a baby tooth that hasn’t fallen out, or address an impacted permanent tooth. If you’ve lost most of your teeth, extraction could pave the way for a set of removable or implant-secured dentures.
The most common reason however is to address wisdom teeth. Also known as third molars, these erupt in our late teens and early 20s, and could upset the smile by causing misalignment, infection, damage, or partially erupted teeth. Removal prevents these complications and preserves the health and beauty of your smile.
Keeping You Comfortable
We always take steps to ensure our patients feel calm and comfortable when they see us for treatment. For example, we will not only administer a local anesthetic near the tooth in question, but we also have dental sedation to help you enter a deep state of calm and relaxation. We have multiple options, and the one we recommend will depend on your medical history and level of anxiety. Once you’re comfortable, we will gently remove the teeth with a set of forceps, and then suture the extraction site closed. We also place special medications to help the area heal.
What Happens Next?
For the first day, you will rest and avoid solid foods. When you return, we will remove the sutures. For those losing teeth to wisdom teeth or for orthodontic treatment, we don’t need to replace them. Otherwise, tooth loss means a gap in your smile and complication down the road. We could eventually help with the placement of a bridge, dental implant, or even a set of dentures. If you have any questions about the process of removing a tooth, or about addressing missing teeth, then contact our team today to learn more.
Talk To Your Woodland Hills, CA Dentist About The Removal Process
Our team wants to help preserve the health and beauty of your smile. If you have more questions about our approach to common oral surgical procedures, then contact your Woodland Hills, CA, dentist’s office by calling 818-347-5124.