When to Say Goodbye: Common Reasons for Tooth Extraction

What Is a Tooth Extraction?

It is a dental procedure that removes a tooth from the jawbone permanently. A dentist or an oral surgeon should perform a tooth extraction in El Dorado Hills, usually using two methods. A simple extraction is especially for teeth that are visible and can be easily accessed with dental instruments. Contrary, a surgical extraction is more complex, meant for impacted or partially erupted teeth.

Preparing for Extraction: What to Expect Before, During, And After the Procedure

Various things happen during a tooth extraction procedure. Therefore, liaise with a dentist beforehand about the eventualities of your procedure to prepare you for before, during, and after your treatment.

• Before the tooth extraction:

1. Consult your dentist or oral surgeon to assess your tooth and take X-rays where necessary to determine whether tooth extraction is the best-known action. (S)he also reviews your medical history. It should include any medications you are taking and any allergies.
2. Anesthesia and sedation – local anesthesia is a treatment that numbs your mouth, usually before all tooth extractions. However, depending on the extraction’s complexity and your anxiety level, the tooth extraction dentist may also recommend sedation or general anesthesia to keep you calm and relaxed.

• During the tooth extraction:

The dentist extracts the tooth with special dental instruments that loosen and remove the problematic tooth from its socket in the jaw bone. For surgical extractions, the dentist opens the gums and removes the bone tissue to access the tooth underneath. Further, the tooth may need to be cut into pieces for easier extraction.

• After the tooth extraction:

1. Stopping bleeding – your dentist will have you bite down a gauze to stop any bleeding.
2. Managing pain – dentists prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to prevent infection.
3. Aftercare restrictions – you must follow instructions after extraction to ensure you heal well. They may include avoiding certain foods and activities, practising good oral hygiene, and attending follow-up appointments.

Why Would Someone Need a Tooth Extracted?

The priority of any dentist near you is to optimize oral health, which mainly revolves around saving natural teeth. Therefore, dentists at El Dorado Hills Town Center Dental generally only recommend tooth extractions when they deem them necessary for oral and body health. Some common reasons include:

1. Severe tooth decay – cannot be repaired with a typical dental filling or crown. In this case, you need a tooth extraction to prevent further damage or infection.
2. Gum disease – without treatment, gum disease progresses to an advanced stage. It causes the tooth’s supporting structures to break down, leading to tooth loss. Sometimes, a tooth will fall off by itself due to periodontitis; other times, a tooth extraction dentist may have to intervene.
3. Impacted teeth – a tooth stuck in the gum tissue or bone and cannot emerge properly. Impacted teeth cause pain, infection, swelling, soreness, redness, and general damage to surrounding teeth and gums. Such a tooth requires surgical extraction.
4. Crowding – tooth extraction is necessary if there is insufficient space for all the teeth to fit correctly.
5. Infection after a failed procedure like root canal therapy – sometimes dentists result in tooth extractions when previous treatments have failed or are ineffective in addressing the illness.
6. Trauma – it causes deep fractures that can severely damage teeth.

Finding The Right Dentist for Tooth Extraction

Although tooth extractions are common, not everyone should remove their teeth. You must be keen when choosing a dentist to remove your natural teeth, particularly when surgery is involved. Some tips to employ for finding the right dentist for your treatment are:

1. Ask friends, family, and co-workers for recommendations on dentists or oral surgeons they trust. Ask your general dentist for a referral.
2. Look for a licensed and certified dentist or oral surgeon with experience performing tooth extractions. You can check their credentials online or by calling their office.
3. Check online reviews from previous patients to know their experiences with the dentist or oral surgeon.
4. Schedule a consultation with the dentist or oral surgeon before the procedure to give you a chance to get a feel of their approach and communication style.
5. Choose a dentist so you can be comfortable and at ease in their office. It will help reduce anxiety and make the procedure go more smoothly.
6. Choose a dentist who offers flexible payment options, has reasonable rates, and accepts your insurance for different treatments.