The Simple Guide to Tooth Extractions: Everything You Need to Know

Do you have a toothache that never seems to subside? If so, you should consider seeking prompt dental care since this could be a sign that you have tooth decay or another issue that might require a tooth extraction.

Our dentist in Lexington will do whatever is necessary to save your natural tooth. In fact, this is our dentist’s top priority. However, there are instances where tooth extraction is the only option to preserve your oral health. So, let’s see what tooth extraction entails.

What Are Tooth Extractions?

In simple terms, tooth extraction can be described as a dental procedure that entails removing damaged teeth or, in some instances, healthy teeth. Typically, it is an outpatient procedure that is generally carried out under local, intravenous, or general anesthesia.

When Are Tooth Extractions Deemed Necessary?

As you may know, your natural teeth are sturdy and can last a long time, even a lifetime. However, certain circumstances may deem an extraction necessary. Even though we have a myriad of options, such as crowns, fillings, inlays, and onlays that can repair teeth, at times, your natural tooth cannot be salvaged.

Here are the reasons why our dentist in Lexington may deem an extraction as necessary:

• If you need to undergo orthodontic treatment, such as braces, tooth extraction may need to be performed to ensure that your teeth have space to become properly aligned.
• Gum infections are known to affect the surrounding structures that help keep your teeth in place. So, if the integrity of these structures is compromised, we might be forced to extract the tooth.
• If you have damaged teeth that cannot be salvaged because of severe damage, then the teeth have to be extracted.
• Wisdom teeth that are impacted or are taking too much space and impede the emergence of erupting teeth may have to be removed.
• If you are undergoing chemotherapy or an organ transplant, you may need a tooth extraction, especially if your teeth show signs of infection. This is done since a tooth infection can be severe if you have a compromised immune system.

How Are Extractions Carried Out?

Based on how severe your issue is, our dentist may choose one of the following tooth extraction procedures:

• Simple Tooth Extraction

When you are scheduled to undergo a simple extraction, the tooth that needs to be removed is visible. Our dentist will apply local anesthesia to numb the area surrounding the tooth. This will ensure that you don’t feel pain during the procedure. Our dentist will first use an elevator to loosen the affected tooth and then use a set of forceps to remove it.

• Surgical Extraction

This is a more complex procedure compared to simple extractions. This procedure is ideal if the teeth are damaged, or they have not yet fully emerged and aren’t visible above the gumline. Our dentist will administer anesthesia so that you don’t feel pain through the process.

We will make an incision and cut through the bone to access the damaged or impacted tooth. This makes it easier for your tooth to be removed.

What to Expect After the Procedure

The socket will undergo three distinct phases as it heals:

• Inflammatory phase. Your gums will first undergo inflammation; then, your blood starts clotting in the socket—granulation tissue forms over the wound, which aids in covering the wound.
• Proliferative phase. At this stage, your wound starts the healing process.
• Maturation phase. This is the last stage characterized by collagen formation that forms a bony network to seal the wound.

It is normal to experience some discomfort accompanied by swelling for approximately four days. After a week or so, when the swelling has started going down, you can resume your regular diet. The swelling should go down completely after three weeks.

You will need to visit our Lexington dentist after three weeks for a post-operative checkup. This is necessary since our dentist needs to ensure that the socket has fully healed.

Tooth extractions aren’t things to dread, and you can still enjoy your life after an extraction since we have excellent teeth replacement options. You can contact our dentist at the office of Dr. Barry J. Cunha to schedule an appointment for quality Lexington dental care.