What is Tooth Extraction: Procedure, Types, Benefits & Aftercare Tips

What is Tooth Extraction?

A dental extraction is a dental procedure performed to completely remove a tooth from its socket that is either damaged, decayed, diseased, impacted, or misshaped. Tooth extractions sound excruciating, and most people might think they are unnecessary; however, under other circumstances, it is the only way to save a patient’s smile and oral health.

Why Do You Need Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction maybe the only way to save your smile and restore your oral health under certain dental health circumstances. You may be required to undergo this procedure if:

• There is a severely decayed tooth in your mouth.
• You have an impacted tooth.
• Your teeth are overcrowded, and you have to undergo an orthodontic procedure like getting fitted with braces.
• You have severe periodontal disease.
• You have a damaged, broken, or fractured tooth that is structurally not sound and cannot be reinforced using restorative dental procedures such as getting a filling or dental crown.

What is the Procedure for Getting Tooth Extraction?

Undergoing a dental extraction should not make you anxious. Most people fear undergoing this procedure because they believe it to be excruciating. However, this is not the case.

Any dental extraction will be performed under anesthesia to ensure that your procedure is pain-free and that you are comfortable and calm during the entire procedure. Here is a step by step run through of what you can anticipate during the procedure:

> Before the Tooth Extraction Procedure

Before undergoing dental extraction near you, our dentist will have to make a detailed assessment of the affected tooth. This is done first to ascertain that an extraction is necessary and to see the extent of the dental issue.

The assessment process will involve you getting X- rays that will help our dentist see the extent of damage and check on your bone density levels. Our dentist will also ask you about any medication or herbal supplements you are currently taking; if you are using blood thinners, you may be asked to stop taking them at least ten days prior to your procedure.

Our dentist will also inform you about the sedation options available and help you settle on one that will suit you based on your health assessment, duration of the procedure, anxiety level, and complexity of the extraction.

> During the Tooth Extraction Procedure

The procedure will begin with you getting the anesthesia previously agreed upon. Commonly patients undergoing our tooth extraction are administered local anesthesia during the procedure.

Once the local anesthesia has taken effect, our dentist at 75024 will use specialized tools to pry the affected tooth from the socket gently. If the affected tooth was badly decayed or damaged, our dentist might be forced to make an incision on your gums to get better access to the tooth.

Once the tooth has been extracted, the socket will be cleaned and thoroughly disinfected. Finally, our dentist will put a piece of gauze on the site to control the bleeding.

> After the Tooth Extraction Procedure

Once the extraction procedure is complete, a piece of clean gauze will be placed on the extraction site, and you will be asked to firmly but gently bite down on it. This will help stop the bleeding and initiate the clotting process.

Taking the gauze out when the site has stooped bleeding is advisable. Keep in mind that you may have some light bleeding within the initial 24 hours after the procedure. Our dentist will inform you of some aftercare measures you should take once you get home to facilitate the clotting and healing process.

Our dentist in Plano, TX will also prescribe some medication to help you deal with the pain once the anesthesia wears off and the inflammation that often occurs after the extraction.

What are the Types of Tooth Extraction?

Below are the main types of tooth extraction:

a) Surgical Extraction

This is an intensive and more complicated type of dental extraction. It is primarily performed to deal with issues such as impacted teeth. It may involve our dentist making precise incisions on the gum or even the surrounding bone to get to the tooth. You may be under local and intravenous anesthesia during such a procedure.

b) Simple Extraction

This type of extraction is performed on visible teeth that are above the gum line. You will only be under local anesthesia for this because the procedure is not as intensive as a surgical extraction.

What are the Benefits of Getting a Tooth Extraction?

Here are the prominent benefits of getting dental extraction:

• Eradicates a source of infection.
• It helps prevent future dental health issues such as TMJ disorders, as is the case with impacted teeth.
• It is used during orthodontic procedures to deal with overcrowding and make room for your braces, which will help redefine your smile and oral health.
• Tooth extraction can be a way to deal with dental pain permanently; this is because severely damaged or decayed teeth may often be a source of persistent dental pain.
• Dental extractions can be used to save your smile and oral health.

What are the Aftercare Tips for Tooth Extraction?

Below are the aftercare instructions for dental extraction:

• Keep off strenuous activity for at least the initial 48 hours after the procedure to prevent fresh bleeding from occurring.
• Take the prescribed medications as instructed.
• Ensure the extraction site stays clean to keep infections at bay by practicing proper oral hygiene.
• Get plenty of rest, as this promotes clotting and healing of the site.

Get Tooth Extraction Near You

A dental extraction is sometimes the only way left to restore your smile and oral health. Are you looking to get tooth removal near Frisco, TX? Call us or book an appointment with Arte Dental to get tooth extraction in Plano, TX 75024!