As a child, the excitement over losing a tooth was hardly containable as you anticipated a prize from the Tooth Fairy and eventually a brand new permanent tooth. As an adult, however, tooth removal is not as rewarding and certainly not as exciting. Although tooth extraction from your dentist does not sound appealing, it should never be avoided if you have signs that tooth removal is necessary. If you have a permanent tooth that is infected or decayed and failed to respond to root canal therapy, it may be time to simply extract the tooth. In addition, severe periodontal disease can loosen one or more teeth. In this case, your loose tooth may need professional removal followed by advanced gum disease treatment by your dentist. Another common reason for teen or adult tooth extraction is for orthodontic purposes. Extracting a tooth can provide the necessary space for your smile to straighten properly.
Regardless of what is warranting your tooth extraction, it can put your mind at ease if you understand the process. Many dentists, such as Park South Dentistry, are able to perform tooth extractions with little to no pain for patients. You can expect to have a local anesthetic applied to numb the tooth area. If your tooth is impacted, the dentist will cut away gum and bone tissue that cover the tooth and grasp the tooth with forceps to loosen it from the jaw. Once the tooth has been pulled, a blood clot usually forms in the tooth socket. Patients are typically encouraged to bite down on the gauze pad to stop the bleeding. If necessary, your dentist may place a few self-dissolving stitches to close the extraction site. It is important that you are aware of your follow-up care at home as well as understand the warning signs of dry socket. Park South Dentistry also provides sedation dentistry using Nitrous Oxide to give patients added comfort during a tooth extraction procedure.
If you suspect you need a tooth extraction, do not put it off. Leaving a tooth untreated with serious decay or infection can lead to more serious and certainly more painful oral health problems. With the latest developments in tooth replacement and implants dentistry, your smile does not have to suffer in appearance after a tooth extraction. Your Tooth Fairy prize will be a healthier smile!
