When we see someone with a damaged tooth, or a serious cavity or infection, we often perform restorative care to repair the tooth, usually using a crown or a filling. But what if a tooth is severely injured, or what if the patient has wisdom teeth poised to erupt? In these scenarios, the best option may be to see your Woodland Hills, CA, dentist for a dental extraction.
The Extraction Process
The process begins with the dentist carefully walking you through the procedure and answering any questions or addressing any concerns you may have. Next, we administer local anesthetic and possibly sedation to ensure you feel comfortable, relaxed, and avoid discomfort. For most teeth, we gently rock them free with forceps and take them out. For wisdom teeth, which often have not erupted yet, we open the gums above them. Afterward, we suture the area closed and send you home with detailed care instructions.
Reasons to Remove a Tooth
We may remove a tooth that has sustained serious damage, and cannot be reasonably repaired. The same goes for one with severe infection or advanced tooth decay. If you have misalignment, often taking a tooth out helps make room to properly reposition the others. Should a tooth become loose due to gum disease, we may also extract it as well.
However, the most common reason is due to wisdom teeth. These are up to four additional molars that arrive as we enter our late teens and early 20s. In many cases, there is simply no room for them, so their arrival means painful partial eruption, known as an impaction, as well a greater risk of damaged teeth, infection, toothaches and sensitivity, and misalignment. In order to prevent these serious complications, we simply remove them prior to eruption!
The Recovery Process
The sedation will take time to wear off, so you should arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home. You should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until the effects wear off. We will provide detailed instructions for the first couple days, including what to eat, to help avoid complications. You should avoid strenuous activity for the first day or two, and don’t prod the extraction site with your tongue. We will schedule follow-up visits to monitor the area and remove your sutures. If you have any questions, feel free contact our team today!
Do You Have Questions About Dental Extractions?
Our team would like to help you enjoy optimal oral health and avoid serious dental complications. For more information on oral surgery and restorative dentistry, 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, and all surrounding communities.