At Great Lakes Family Dental, we will do everything possible to help you retain your existing teeth and keep them healthy. However, there are times when a tooth is beyond restoration and needs to be extracted. That’s when it’s time to schedule a consultation with an oral surgeon.
There are several main reasons a tooth may need to be extracted -- tooth decay, trauma, gum infection, advanced periodontal disease, or abscess, and overcrowding, or lack of space in the mouth for the teeth. If you are experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity to heat or cold, contact Great Lakes Family Dental today to schedule an appointment. We may be able to save your tooth. We have many tooth replacement options all of which we can discuss during your consultation.
Tooth decay often occurs when a cavity has formed and goes untreated for an extended period. If you have the cavity filled, decay typically will decrease.
However, if the cavity is not treated in time, decay can continue to progress and cause the tooth to become weak. Once the cavity has overgrown the tooth, your tooth structure declines and you may need an extraction to prevent decay from spreading to other teeth and to reduce pain.
When you have damaged your tooth a dentist can typically restore the tooth with a crown or dental bonding.
However, if the damage goes past the tooth pulp, your dentist may not be able to repair the tooth, and a dental extraction procedure may be needed. If the tooth is severely damaged, even if your dentist is able to repair it, there is still a risk of tooth decay or an infection that can require an extraction in the future.
When an infection forms at the tooth root and tissue, it is known as a dental abscess. In most situations, a dentist will be able to save the tooth by doing a root canal. In a root canal treatment, the infected area is removed from the tooth's roots.
However, in severe cases, the dentist may not be able to repair the tooth, and it may be in the patient’s best interest to have the tooth removed. Having a tooth extraction can help prevent further infection from spreading to your jawbone or adjoining teeth.
One of the most common types of oral surgery is wisdom teeth removal. Wisdom teeth often develop problems that require their extraction. When the jaw is not large enough to accommodate the wisdom teeth, they can become impacted (unable to come in or misaligned). Wisdom teeth can grow sideways, emerge only part way or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.
Extraction of wisdom teeth is generally recommended when:
Read more about wisdom teeth extraction.
Once the tooth is removed, you will want to take preventative steps to promote healing. Your dental team will provide you with treatment care instructions for your comfort and healing to reduce the possibility of complications.
Bleeding is normal but will subside. You will go home with a gauze pack placed on the extraction site to minimize the bleeding and promote a blood clot. Refrain from biting down or chewing on the gauze pack. Replace the pack as needed.
Dental extractions are performed in the dental office. Contact your local Great Lakes Family Dental location if you are experiencing tooth pain or discomfort.
Soft, malleable food is recommended. Liquid and soft foods such as apple sauce, yogurt, smoothies, soups, and mashed potatoes are the easiest to consume. Come cold foods, such as Jell-O, pudding and ice cream can temporarily soothe pain and discomfort you may experience.
Be sure to avoid any consumption that involves sucking, such as drinking through a straw or smoking. This can cause stitches to be removed, and open dry sockets in your gums.
Generally, pain from an extraction can last about a week. Pain will begin to decrease after the third day of healing, and after a week, new tissue will begin to form at the extraction site. The first two days of recovery are the ones that will require the most attention and care. Bleeding will stop once the blood clot forms, which occurs during the two days immediately after. Be sure to rinse your mouth with warm salt water, and eat soft and malleable foods to avoid irritating the recovery area. If a dry socket forms at the extraction site, this will slow the recovery time and cause undue pain at the site.
Dental implants may be placed immediately following your tooth extraction, depending on your specific type of extraction. Immediate placement would occur after surgery if there is sufficient bone present around the extraction site. If the bone around the extraction needs to heal, placing the implant may wait 3 - 6 months while healing.
If your request is a dental emergency, or you would like to call and schedule your dental appointment, contact information for our offices can be found here: Great Lakes Family Dental Locations. New patient offer not valid for emergency appointments.