When you have a tooth that has become a serious problem, it may be time to pull it. At Downey Dental Arts, we utilize modern technologies to safely extract problematic teeth with a minimal amount of pain and inconvenience.
A tooth extraction is simply the removal of a tooth by a qualified dentist. There are two basic types of tooth extraction. In all cases, numbing or sedating agents are used to make the patient comfortable. Non-surgical tooth extraction involves the dentist using a pair of forceps to gently remove the tooth from the mouth.
For more challenging cases like an impacted tooth, surgical tooth extraction is necessary. At Downey Dental Arts, we work with all types of tooth extractions to take care of impacted teeth, wisdom teeth, and decayed teeth.
At Downey Dental Arts, we conduct tooth extractions for a variety of clinical reasons. One of the reasons is that a tooth may have become so damaged or decayed it is better to replace it rather than try to fix it. However, healthy teeth are sometimes removed on purpose to make room for other teeth. Crowded teeth can cause problems, which is one of the main reasons why we remove wisdom teeth.
An impacted tooth is a tooth that is stuck underneath the gumline because it never fully erupted. Impacted teeth don’t necessarily cause problems, but more often than not, teeth that haven’t fully erupted become painful, crowd out other teeth, or cause pain. One option is to try to use dental techniques to help the tooth erupt. If this is not feasible, then tooth extraction may be necessary.
Sometimes tooth extraction is relatively easy and uncomplicated. With basic tooth extraction, all your Downey dentist needs to do is numb the area and then pull the tooth out with sterilized forceps. To help with healing, self-dissolving sutures can be used. Basic teeth extractions remove decayed or broken teeth that are not impacted.
A surgical tooth extraction may be necessary for impacted teeth or when decay has gotten so severe that it may have impacted the surrounding tissue or bone. The tissue surrounding the tooth needs to be handled with care. Sedation and/or numbing medicines are applied to make the process as comfortable as possible.
With modern dental technologies and sedation methods, tooth extractions might be a little bit painful, but we mitigate this as much as possible. In the long run, the pain you might experience from not taking care of a decayed or impacted tooth may be much worse. Over-the-counter painkillers can help with residual pain and soreness after the procedure.
It takes a few weeks to recover from a tooth extraction, but it should be a relatively easy process if you follow our instructions. First, we will prepare the area with gauze and self-dissolving sutures to reduce bleeding. Our competent staff will instruct you on how to properly take care of your extraction. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection, and it is vital to take the entire course.
It is normal to feel a little bit of pain, swelling, and discomfort after a tooth extraction, which should lessen as time goes on. Over-the-counter pain medicine can alleviate much of the pain.
You may notice the formation of “granulation material” where the tooth was removed. This is normal and protects the wound. We will schedule a follow-up two weeks after to check the status of your healing.
If you experience anything concerning, like excessive bleeding, please contact us at Downey Dental Arts immediately.
There are many safe and effective ways of replacing extracted teeth. At Downey Dental Arts, we are well-versed in restorative dentistry technologies such as dental implants, bridges, and dentures. We will go over all the options with you and recommend the best course of treatment for your situation. In the case of wisdom teeth extraction, no replacement is necessary.
Your dental insurance will help with the cost of tooth extraction. If not, we have convenient and affordable financing plans available to you. How much a tooth extraction costs depends on the complexity of the procedure, and the price can range from $75 to $300 dollars or more.
Need a Tooth Extraction in Downey?
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