Everything to Know about Dental Extractions

Dental extractions are performed by dentists or oral surgeons for various reasons. A painful wisdom tooth or a tooth severely damaged by decay are common reasons for dental extractions. Sometimes dentists suggest tooth removal for dental prosthetics or braces.

Oral surgeons and not dentists extract teeth in complicated situations. It is usually the third molars or the wisdom teeth that are removed by oral surgeons.

If you are undergoing a dental extraction for any reason, rest assured your dentist or oral surgeon will numb your tooth before the procedure to ensure you are entirely comfortable. Dental Extraction in Houston, TX are never pleasant but are essential to prevent future problems and to relieve dental pain.

This blog outlines different types of dental extractions and why they are necessary. A brief description of the procedure and its aftermath are also described for your reference.

What Is a Dental Extraction?

The term dental extraction refers to the removal of a tooth from the alveolar bone in your mouth. Dentists and oral surgeons recommend extractions for various reasons, including cavities, dental infections, gum disease, and complications with wisdom teeth. Trauma or injury to the tooth and the surrounding bone also elicit recommendations for extractions from the dentist in Houston, TX. In addition, you may receive requests for extraction when preparing for dental prosthesis or for dental braces to straighten your teeth. Sometimes baby teeth remaining in the mouth without falling out at a suitable age also receive recommendations for extractions from dentists.

What Types of Extractions Dentists Do Perform?

Dentists perform suitable dental extractions depending on the shape, size, position, and location of the tooth in the mouth. Dental extractions are classified as straightforward or surgical by dentists and oral surgeons. For example, visible teeth over the gum line are removed in a simple extraction, while surgical extractions are complicated, involving removing gum tissue, bone, or both. Surgical extractions may also include removing the tooth in pieces on occasions.

Your wisdom teeth are the last to emerge and probably the first to require extraction. Many people have impacted wisdom teeth remaining below the gum line and not emerging because of insufficient space in the mouth for them. Wisdom teeth removal is a standard procedure in oral surgery.

How Do You Prepare for Dental Extractions?

If you require dental extractions, you consult with the dentist near me before the extraction. During the meeting, the dentist will go through your entire medical history and inquire about any medications you are taking. You are recommended to stop taking certain medicines in the days before the surgery, depending on your unique situation. You may also receive some medications to have on the day of the surgery.

The Dental Extraction Procedure

Before the extraction, the dentist or oral surgeon will x-ray the tooth to evaluate the curvature and angle of the tooth root. The extraction proceeds after the anesthesia has taken effect. If the tooth is hidden below the gum tissue or bone, the surgeon may cut the gums or remove the obstructing bone.

When undergoing dental extractions in Houston, TX, you will likely not experience pain but must expect to feel pressure against the tooth. You may also hear grinding or cracking of the bone or teeth. You may not like the noises and feel they are unpleasant. However, if you are undergoing the tooth removal procedure, you can expect to hear some unpleasant noises during the process.

If you experience any pain during tooth removal, you can notify dental extraction near me about the discomfort to have additional numbing agents administered.

After-Care from Dental Extractions

Following an extraction, the medical professionals lay a thick layer of gauze over the extraction site. You can control bleeding by biting down firmly on the gauze for at least 20 to 30 minutes or until the gauze is soaked with blood. You may experience bleeding for a couple of days after the surgery.

The local anesthesia will wear off in a few hours, making you experience some discomfort. However, the issue is not a cause for concern because dentists prescribe or recommend over-the-counter painkillers to alleviate the pain. In addition, if you experience swelling around your cheeks, you can use an ice pack for comfort.

You must exercise care not to disturb the extraction site or the blood clot in your mouth and subsist on soft foods until you experience discomfort when chewing. You can continue brushing and flossing after dental extractions being careful to avoid the extraction site.

If you take proper care of the extraction site and adhere to your dentists’ or oral surgeon’s instructions, the extraction procedure proceeds smoothly as well as the recovery process.