Getting a tooth extracted might sound like a long and scary procedure, but in reality it’s a fairly quick, simple, and common treatment. Whether you need a tooth extracted because it’s at risk of infection, or your mouth is overcrowded, this procedure is more common than patients might first think. If you’re anticipating you might need a tooth extracted, contact us at Corner Dentistry and we’ll be able to determine whether this is appropriate for your specific case.
While our goal is to always keep the tooth if possible, sometimes the better decision is to remove it to ensure the health and comfort of the surrounding teeth. At Corner Dentistry, we understand that getting a tooth removed is never something to look forward to, but we always go the extra mile to make sure the procedure and recovery process is as smooth and painless as possible.
Why You Might Need a Tooth Extraction
As mentioned above, tooth extractions can be needed for a number of reasons. If you’re wondering how you’ll be to tell if you need a tooth extracted, we’ve explained the four most common reasons that patients have a tooth removed.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Getting wisdom teeth removed is the most common reason patients have teeth extracted. Removing your wisdom teeth is a preventative measure that helps prevent overcrowding of the mouth and helps retain your current bite and teeth alignment. This kind of tooth extraction can require a surgical procedure depending on how much of the tooth is exposed at the time of removal.
Overcrowded Mouth
If your teeth are already overlapping or bunching up, removal can help make room for your teeth to be straightened. This is common in preparation for braces or if your overcrowded teeth cause any pain or discomfort in your jaw. Not addressing overcrowded teeth can result in damaged or lost teeth, jaw issues, and in some severe cases even gum disease.
Infected Tooth
When an infection spreads down to the pulp of the tooth, an extraction is one of the options available to remedy the situation. Depending on your circumstances, a root canal might be appropriate, but this is dependent on the severity of infection. If antibiotics won’t be effective enough, or if a root canal won’t completely get rid of the infection, then removal is typically decided as the best course of action to ensure the infection doesn’t spread,
At Risk of Infection
Removing teeth as a preventative measure is common when specific teeth are at a heightened risk of infection. This is common for patients going through chemotherapy or an organ transplant since these treatments reduce the immune system’s effectiveness. Extracting these teeth early before infection has a chance to set in ensures a healthier mouth and less pain and discomfort if it got infected down the line.
Our Tooth Extraction Procedure
Your comfort is always a top priority for us at Corner Dentistry. During your initial consultation, we’ll determine whether or not you’ll need a simple or surgical tooth extraction. A simple extraction happens when the tooth is fully grown in and exposed. This is common in teeth that are decaying or when space needs to be made for braces. Since the tooth is fully shown, it makes for an easier removal process with local anesthesia applied around the area. Over-the-counter pain killers are usually sufficient for post-procedure care.
A surgical tooth extraction is common for wisdom teeth. This is when the tooth ins’t fully grown in or part of it has broken off, resulting in a more complicated approach to reach it. A general anesthesia is applied and pain medication prescribed for recovery.
Most tooth extraction recoveries heal within 7-10 days of removal with proper care. The most common issue with this procedure is dry sockets, but these only appear in about 3-4% of total cases. Dry sockets form when a blot clot fails to form in the hole after it’s removed, leaves the underlying bone and nerves exposed. If you follow Dr. Shim’s post-procedure directions carefully, you’re nearly guaranteed to mitigate any compilations. Never be afraid to ask for advice or voice a concern, either.
Tooth Extraction Services in Phoenix
Whether you think your tooth might be infected or you’re experiencing issues from overcrowding, Corner Dentistry will be able to assess the best course of action for your specific case. With over a decade of experience, we’ll ensure the comfort and oral health of our patients before, during, and after their procedure.