Learn All About Why Getting A Tooth Pulled Can Improve Overall Oral Health
MANY TIMES, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS A NECESSARY PART OF FLAUNTING YOUR STRAIGHTER, MORE ATTRACTIVE SMILE
Back when you were very young, losing a tooth meant a little money from the tooth fairy. Unfortunately, when you got all your permanent teeth, losing a tooth became significantly less fun. There are loads of reasons why you may need a dental extraction to improve your dental health, such as an impacted tooth, to stop overcrowding, or an injured tooth. Even though a tooth extraction may not seem like a good time, it's not as scary or uncomfortable as it once was. Using modern methods and multiple sedation choices, MINT dentistry in Grapevine makes tooth extractions a bit easier if you require one. Our dental team in Grapevine, TX will thoroughly examine the affected tooth prior to suggesting an extraction. If a tooth has to be pulled, our team will ensure you stay relaxed from beginning to end. Keep reading to learn about both methods of dental extractions and common reasons why a tooth or teeth may have to be pulled.
TECHNIQUES USED FOR TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are a lot of reasons why a tooth might need to be removed. First, the team at MINT dentistry in Grapevine will diagnose the cause of your oral problem. After that, they will decide what type of tooth removal best fits your case. Almost all tooth extractions fall into two main categories:
- SIMPLE EXTRACTION
A dentist will conduct a simple extraction if the tooth can be seen above the gumline. It can be loosened with a dental tool called an elevator, and then the tooth and root are taken out of the jawbone and gums. This method is mainly used if a tooth is badly infected, extremely decayed, or not able to be saved, or to help with overcrowding. - SURGICAL EXTRACTION
An extraction surgery will be done when the crown hasn't totally erupted out of the gums. This means that an incision is necessary to access the tooth under the gums. If needed, the tooth may be divided into pieces for a smoother extraction. A surgical extraction is generally utilized to take out the back molars or a tooth that hasn't erupted.
STANDARD REASONS YOU COULD NEED TO HAVE A TOOTH EXTRACTED
Several different tooth problems may lead to needing a tooth extraction. Among the most common reasons adults in Grapevine, TX would need a tooth extraction is to avoid impaction. These are some of the additional standard reasons you may require a tooth extraction:
- WISDOM TEETH
Your back molars, frequently known as the wisdom teeth, will, in all likelihood, need to be pulled. The modern human jaw typically isn't large enough to fit these particular teeth, so when they start to grow out of the gum tissue (typically from the late teens to early twenties), your dentist may need to perform a surgical extraction. It's crucial to get your third molars extracted as early as you can, so they don't get impacted or infected. But some individuals never have to get their back molars removed. It's uncommon, but some lucky individuals don't get all four wisdom teeth or even any at all! - IMPACTED TOOTH
If you have an impacted tooth, it signals that there is some kind of blockage keeping the tooth from breaking through the gumline. An impacted tooth could be stuck behind a primary tooth that hasn't come out on its own, or it could be developing in an irregular direction and is obstructed by a nearby permanent tooth. Based on the cause of the impaction, the dentist can suggest a surgical or simple extraction to lessen pain or keep you from getting an infection. - TRAUMA TO THE TEETH
Unfortunately, accidents can happen to anyone, and, occasionally, our teeth could incur trauma. While the best option is generally to attempt to save the tooth, it might not be possible. The injury could be caused by a car crash or maybe an athletic or on-the-job incident, but whatever the reason, anyone in Grapevine, TX really need to set up a consultation with a dental practitioner if they have a tooth injury. Sometimes, the injury isn't visible right away. - EXCESSIVE DECAY
If a cavity is neglected or not treated promptly, it may extend into the pulp within the tooth. While a root canal may possibly be used to preserve the tooth, it might need to be removed if the damage is severe enough to undermine the tooth's structure. A simple extraction may keep the decay and infection from spreading to other teeth, the gums, jawbone, and, finally, your circulatory system. - TOOTH OVERCROWDING
For some patients, a tooth or teeth might have to be extracted in order to begin an orthodontic treatment like Invisalign or classic braces. These treatments are intended to shift the teeth into their correct alignment, which could necessitate removing one or multiple teeth if there is not enough room so the remaining teeth can fit. Overcrowded teeth are generally addressed with a simple extraction.
HEALING TIME AFTER HAVING A TOOTH REMOVED
After a dental extraction, it's crucial to pay attention to and carefully adhere to your dentist’s healing directions. A simple extraction will usually need less healing time than a surgical extraction, but it will depend on each case. You could be written a prescription for antibiotics to hold off infection, and maybe a pain reliever. You may choose to stick to a liquid diet for the initial couple of days following the procedure, while the area is tender and recovering. This is a good chance to have a little ice cream, but you need to make use soup, etc., to get more nutritious meals. You must stop ingesting any tobacco products, both prior to and following your procedure, since they may reduce your body's capacity to heal properly. Your dentist may tell you to use an antibiotic mouthwash until you given the okay to start brushing and flossing again.
THE ANSWER TO A HEALTHIER, MORE ATTRACTIVE SMILE MIGHT INVOLVE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A tooth extraction may be performed for many reasons, including to prevent decay from spreading, to address an impaction, or simply to give your other teeth more space. Treating all of these conditions at MINT dentistry in Grapevine is important in finally having your healthiest, most alluring smile. Reach out to our office in Grapevine, TX to plan an appointment with our skilled staff to find out whether a simple or surgical extraction could be the most effective option for your new and improved smile.