Tooth Extractions - Melissa, TX
Why Would I Need a Tooth Extraction
Once your permanent teeth are grown in, there may be some instances where a tooth (or teeth) may need to be extracted. These cases need to be properly diagnosed by a professional dentist—any and all alternatives should be discussed when considering tooth extraction. Reasons for tooth extraction may vary, but often include one or more of the following:
- Preparation for Orthodontic or Cosmetic Treatment
- Bone loss
- Infection or Risk of Infection
- Advanced Periodontal Disease
- Impacted teeth
- Cysts, tumors or abscesses
- Oral cancer diagnosis and excision
- Severely decayed or fractured teeth
- Wisdom Teeth
Under most cases, extraction of the tooth is the last resort to maintain dental health. In order to keep your teeth healthy and functional, it is important that you maintain proper oral hygiene at home and continue with regularly scheduled dental appointments. The odds of detecting decay and preventing infection are greatly increased by scheduling regular exams and cleanings.
Types of Tooth Extraction
Oral surgery is normally performed when the patient is young because the roots have not yet fully set in the jaw, and the patient is healthy enough to quickly recover. Once the teeth are anchored, extraction becomes more difficult and requires a longer recovery time.
Simple Extraction
This kind of extraction is performed for those whose teeth have already erupted. Nitrous Oxide is typically recommended for these more straightforward procedures. During a simple extraction, the dentist will apply a local anesthetic, numbing the area but not rendering the patient unconscious. The tooth will then be lifted using an elevator and removed from the mouth with forceps. Dr. Nadia performs this process slowly so as not to break the tooth during extraction, and to eliminate discomfort.
Surgical Extraction
This type of procedure is done for those whose teeth have not yet erupted or who have complications like large or curved roots. During a surgical extraction, Dr. Nadia may administer 2 types of anesthetic, which will render the patient relaxed but conscious. Dr. Nadia will then make an incision to facilitate removal. Often, the tooth will be sectioned (cut in smaller pieces) to ease the extraction. Again, all of this is done with the help of a local anesthetic. Local anesthetics such as Lidocaine leave the sensation of pressure but takes away all pain!
Oral Surgery / Tooth Extraction Precautions
- Dry socket: We make every effort to avoid our patients from getting dry socket after having oral surgery. Detailed instructions will be given before and after your procedure for your benefit. Dry sockets occur in less than 5% of routine extractions, and 25% of lower 3rd molar extractions. The symptoms of dry socket include severe pain between the third and fifth day after treatment, and possible tissue swelling. While dry socket will generally heal on its own, we want to provide every opportunity to keep our patients happy in the event that a dry socket occurs. This will typically consist of placing a soothing paste, prescribing pain medication, and altering your diet.
- Nerve injury: The lingual and inferior alveolar nerves run near the surgical site of lower wisdom teeth and supply sensation and taste to the general area. While nerve injuries are often temporary, nerve damage should never be overlooked, and it’s important to inform Dr. Nadia of any prolonged feelings of anesthesia (lack of feeling) to rule out long-term nerve damage.
- Damage to existing dental work: If the teeth near the tooth to be extracted have crowns or other restorations on them, there is a risk of damaging those restorations during tooth extraction. Extreme caution is common protocol, but there is a possibility.
- Damage to surrounding areas: While it is rare, injury may occur around the sinus cavity or jaw depending on how the tooth needed to be extracted. Any injury will be treated promptly and effectively. Rest assured, every precaution is taken to preserve surrounding tissues and structures.
Patient Experience
Your experience with oral surgery will vary based the complexity the extraction performed. Nonetheless, our goal that we’ve been successfully achieving for over 17 years is to provide virtually pain-free surgery in the most comfortable setting possible. Below is a list of what to expect if you’re planning on having oral surgery.
- All procedures will begin with a consultation process where you will be shown any issues, current or potential, with your teeth along with a course of action.
- Regardless of the type of anesthetic used, you will experience numbness and possibly difficulty chewing or speaking following your procedure. This is only temporary.
- Recovery time will vary based on what type of procedure was used. A simple, non-surgical extraction will require less time to heal than a surgical extraction.
- Inflammation to some degree is generally present after surgery. You will be given instructions for effectively managing pain and swelling.
- Your dentist will provide you with a list of foods to avoid and how to care for your wounds during your recovery period.
- Bruising and bleeding is normal, part of the healing process, and will resolve in a few days.
- Your dentist may or may not use stitches to close the incision. Some stitches will dissolve on their own while others require a follow-up visit to remove.
- You will also need to abstain from smoking during the first 24-72 hours following surgery and should avoid activities that may loosen the blood clots, such as drinking through a straw or rinsing your mouth out. This is a CRITICAL part of healing and preventing dry socket.
If you have questions about tooth extractions or want to find out if a tooth extraction is right for you, come visit Paradise Dental in Melissa, TX and we’ll gladly answer any questions you might have! Paradise Dental – Proudly offering porcelain veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, Invisalign, and comprehensive family dentistry to the Melissa area since 2008.