We offer a host of restorative treatments with a single goal: Prevent the loss of a tooth due to issues like decay, infection, or injury. However, sometimes issues arise that cannot be addressed with restorative care. To prevent complications, the tooth may actually need to be removed! In today’s blog, your Woodland Hills, CA, dentist will look at the extraction process.
When We Suggest Extraction
If a tooth is too decayed or infected to be treated with a filling or root canal, then removal may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection to surrounding teeth. In addition, we may extract a tooth that is too damaged to undergo repair with a crown, or is loosened due to periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease. If you have severe misalignment, we may need to remove a tooth to make room to properly reposition the rest of your smile. If you need to receive a full set of removable or implant-secured dentures, we may need to remove a remaining tooth or two.
However, the most common reasons we tend to extract teeth is to prevent wisdom tooth impaction. As we reach adulthood, up to four new molars could erupt in our smile. For many, this could mean a painful partial eruption known as an impaction. The impaction then leads to infection, damaged teeth, and even the onset of dental misalignment. To avoid these complications, we simply extract the tooth beforehand.
Ensuring Your Comfort
To make sure you feel comfortable, we will offer anesthesia. With Single Tooth Anesthesia (STA), we administer the numbing agent via computer-guided technology. This prevents the discomfort for the patient and avoids the collateral tissue damage associated with needle-based anesthesia.
Removal and Aftercare
After your anesthesia and sedation, we will gently extract the tooth with forceps, and then suture the extraction site closed. A friend or family member can then bring you home, and we will provide any necessary prescriptions and instructions for aftercare. Take your prescribed medications as instructed, for the first day eat only soft foods, avoiding using strays, and cut back on any strenuous activity. We also suggest you don’t prod the extraction with your tongue. We will remove the sutures in a follow up visit.
Replacement Options
If you lost a tooth to injury or infection, we can fill the gap with a dental implant or other prosthetic, restoring the health, beauty, and function of your smile.
Do You Have Questions About Tooth Removal?
Our team is ready to address serious concerns and prevent complications with tooth extraction. For more information on our approach to oral surgery, then please schedule a consultation by calling Woodland Hills Dental Arts in Woodland Hills, CA today at 818-347-5124. We also proudly welcome patients from Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Encino, Sherman Oaks, and all surrounding communities.