You may require surgical extraction of a tooth for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you experienced trauma to the mouth that partially dislodged a tooth. If your dentist at Southbridge Dental determines that it’s not possible to save the remainder of the tooth, he or she will extract it and present you with replacement options. Below are some other common reasons for tooth extraction.
Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth appear, it’s typically in the late teens to the early 20s. Wisdom teeth are unnecessary and attempt to grow in behind your last set of molars. This can cause many oral health problems, particularly if you have impacted wisdom teeth. An impacted wisdom tooth is one that grows at an unusual angle because of the molar teeth in its path. Unfortunately, this issue can increase the risk of gum disease, infections, tooth decay, and even oral tumors.
Your dentist at Southbridge Dental will provide you with anesthesia on the day of your wisdom tooth extraction to make sure that you stay comfortable during the procedure. The next step is to dislodge your wisdom teeth with special dental tools and remove them. Your dentist will place a clean gauze paid directly over the empty socket of your wisdom tooth to control bleeding after your oral surgery. Our staff will also let give you instructions about eating a soft diet for a few days, managing post-surgical pain, and changing your gauze pad.
Tooth Infection
When an infection in a tooth is significant enough to threaten the health of other teeth, extraction is often a better option than restoration. Infection in a tooth usually happens because of an abscess, which indicates the presence of severe decay between the gums and teeth or at the root of the tooth. You may also develop an abscessed tooth due to facial trauma, gum disease, or gingivitis.
The pre-surgical procedure to remove an infected tooth is the same as it is for wisdom teeth. You may need stitches afterwards. In addition to changing your gauze pad frequently and eating soft foods, you can relieve swelling and pain by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water. However, you should wait at least 24 hours after your tooth extraction to do so.
Orthodontic and Cosmetic Extractions
If you’re starting orthodontic treatment soon, your dentist may recommend extracting one or more teeth to allow room for the others to move. You may also request a tooth extraction yourself for cosmetic reasons. For example, perhaps you have an extra tooth or extremely misshapen tooth that makes you feel hesitant to smile. If it’s not possible to alter the tooth cosmetically, then extraction is your best bet.
Contact Us with Questions or Schedule an Appointment
Dr. Barker, Dr. Hoover, Dr. Kissinger, or Dr. Svoboda would be happy to answer any additional questions that you have about tooth extraction. You’re also welcome to schedule an oral exam if you think that you might need one or more teeth extracted.