Tooth extraction is a common general dental service we provide in our Tyler, TX dentist office. While our office practices conservative dentistry, sometimes extracting a tooth is the best solution for your oral health. Our experienced dental team walks you through the process, ensuring you’re knowledgeable and comfortable.
Types of Tooth Extraction in Tyler, TX
There are two main types of tooth extraction: simple and complex.
Simple Tooth Extractions
These occur when the affected tooth is visible in the mouth. We perform these in our office and usually only require local anesthesia. The dentist uses an elevator tool to loosen the tooth from the socket. They’ll use forceps to rock the tooth back and forth, severing the connections with the socket. When it’s loose enough, we use the forceps to completely remove the tooth.
Complex Tooth Extractions
If your teeth are broken or impacted under the surface, removing them is not as simple. Sometimes, we may coordinate with a local oral surgeon because you require incisions in the gums to remove the tooth properly. While we administer local anesthesia, we also may use deeper sedation. In cases like wisdom teeth, it requires a few hours in the dental chair. Sedation allows us to perform the job smoothly and ensure you’re relaxed throughout the procedure.
Why Do I Need a Tooth Extraction?
Typically, tooth extraction is a last resort. However, if you have severe dental problems, it’s the only way to ensure your oral health stays on track. One of the most common reasons is to remove wisdom teeth. Usually, our mouths no longer have enough room for this extra set of molars. They crowd the rest of your teeth or can get impacted, increasing your chances of pain or abscess development.
This is also the case if your teeth are overcrowded and require orthodontic work. You may not be able to get a straight, even smile unless we remove some of your teeth. We may also need to remove teeth to make room for a denture or other dental restoration.
Severe decay or damage may require extraction. If severe decay or infection remains in the tooth, it can spread to other parts of the mouth or body. Dangerous bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause problems throughout the body. With trauma, we can only try to salvage the tooth with a dental crown. If a dental crown can’t fix it, removal is necessary.
Post-Extraction Care
Proper care after a tooth extraction is crucial for ensuring a smooth recovery and preventing complications such as dry socket, where the blood clot at the extraction site dislodges or dissolves, exposing the bone and nerves.
Here’s how to take care of yourself after the procedure:
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Control Bleeding: Keep the gauze pad in place for 30 to 45 minutes after the extraction to help stop bleeding. If bleeding persists, apply gentle pressure to replace the gauze with a new one. If your bleeding continues for days after the procedure, contact our office, as this isn’t normal.
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Manage Pain and Swelling: Use prescribed pain medication or over-the-counter pain relievers as your dentist directs. Applying an ice pack to the outside of your face for 15-20 minutes can help reduce swelling. Ensure you follow all instructions from the dentist and medication packages.
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Diet: Stick to soft foods for the first few days after the extraction. Avoid chewing on the side of the extraction site. Also, avoid hot beverages, alcohol, and carbonated drinks, which can irritate the extraction site. You can gradually introduce harder foods as the area heals.
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Oral Hygiene: Continue brushing and flossing your teeth, but avoid the extraction site. After 24 hours, you can rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water several times a day to help keep the area clean and aid healing.
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Avoid Smoking and Using Straws: Both smoking and using straws can dislodge the blood clot that forms in the extraction site, leading to a painful condition known as dry socket.
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Follow-Up: Attend scheduled follow-up appointments to ensure the extraction site is healing properly. If you experience severe pain, prolonged bleeding, swelling, or signs of infection, contact your dentist immediately.
Schedule an Appointment
A check-up at our office can determine if tooth extraction is the best solution. Call us or schedule an appointment online to get started.