General Procedure
When tooth restoration procedures such as root canal treatment, tooth crowns, or dental fillings are not enough to save a tooth, it may need to be pulled or extracted. If tooth decay or damage extends to the pulp, tooth extraction may be necessary to prevent infection.
Teeth extractions today are far less painful than ever before, thanks to anesthetics and sedatives. In many cases, a patient who has a tooth pulled experiences little or no discomfort,
and only minor bleeding.
Before a tooth is extracted, the area surrounding the tooth is numbed with a topical and/or injectable anesthetic, such as Novocaine.
Patients with extracted teeth sometimes need to take an antibiotic and at the very least, take precautions following the procedure to ensure that infection doesn't occur.
Tooth extraction aftercare is extremely important to the healing process. Smoking, vigorous brushing and rinsing, and drinking liquids through straws are discouraged during the post-operative period because they hinder healing and may cause the wound to open. Applying cold compresses to the outside cheek near the extraction area can help reduce swelling and promote faster healing.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that erupt in the back corners of the upper and lower normal adult mouth. Unfortunately, most people experience problems with wisdom teeth. In most cases, this is because the teeth erupt too close to existing permanent teeth, causing crowding, improper bites, toothaches, and other problems.
If wisdom teeth are causing a problem, this could mean that they are impacted and advanced dentistry is needed. Impacted wisdom teeth can be extremely painful, as well as harmful to your oral health. Symptoms are easy to spot: severe discomfort, inflammation, and some kinds of infections.
Many people need wisdom teeth removal to avoid serious problems in the future. This is usually done by a dentist or oral surgeon. In general, the lack of four wisdom teeth does not hamper one's ability to properly bite down, speak, or eat.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may have an impacted wisdom tooth:
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Facial swelling
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Infection
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Jaw pain
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Gum swelling
Taking tooth extraction recovery seriously reduces the chances of you developing:
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Severe pain
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Increased swelling
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Dry socket (alveolar osteitis): blood clots that form over the extraction sites
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Lockjaw: limited mouth/jaw opening
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And other unwanted complications
If you have questions regarding reasons for tooth extractions, tooth extraction healing, tooth extraction costs, and more, contact your dentist or oral surgeon today.
