A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from the bone because of trauma, infection, decay or crowding. There are times when extracting a tooth is a necessary part of a healthy dental treatment plan.
Although every effort is made to preserve your natural teeth, there are times when extracting a tooth is necessary. The first step with any extraction is to take an X-ray of the area to help plan the best way to remove the tooth.
Your Sacramento dentist at Midtown Dental will make every effort to ensure that your extraction is done in the safest manner possible, with the least amount of discomfort.
Before the extraction process is started, your dentist will first numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic to lessen any discomfort. For more complex cases, Midtown dental offers options including nitrous oxide sedation or conscious oral sedation.
Reasons for Tooth Extractions
- Decay – If a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay, it may be possible to fix it with a filling, crown or other treatment. But if there is too much damage for it to be repaired, an extraction is needed.
- Infection – If tooth decay or damage extends to center of the tooth, bacteria in the mouth can lead to infection. While this can often be corrected with a root canal, it is possible that the infection may be so severe that an extraction will be needed to prevent the spread of infection.
- Crowding – Extractions may be necessary prior to starting orthodontic treatment or Invisalign in order to make room for the teeth that are moving into the right place. Likewise, some people have extra teeth that may be blocking other teeth from coming in.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare Follow Up:
Once the extraction is complete, our team at Midtown Dental will provide detailed instructions on what to do and what to expect.
It is common to have some discomfort even after simple extractions. Typically, over the counter ibuprofen can help minimize discomfort, reduce swelling, and speed recovery.
While you can brush and floss normally, it is often also a good idea to avoid rinsing or spitting forcefully for 24 hours.
If you have any questions following your extraction, please contact our team at Midtown Dental for detailed instructions.
My molar had been a source of severe pain for a few weeks and I needed to find a dentist I could trust to have it taken out. I had avoided the tooth extraction procedure for a while because I didn’t want to be in pain, but Dr. Apekian was fantastic in making it as pain-free of an experience as possible. I’m now in the process of having an implant put in and can’t thank this friendly office enough for what they’ve done for me!
Call today at (916) 441–5800 to learn more about our Implant & Surgical Dentistry services.