Does a Tooth Ever Need to Be Extracted?
August 25, 2021
In our last blog, we talked about how treating an infection with a root canal could prevent the need for an extraction. But in today’s blog, we would like to look at the situations in which removing a tooth is necessary for the health and wellbeing of your smile. In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO, dentist talks about our tooth extraction process.
When Removal Is Necessary
We may extract a tooth that has been so severely damaged that repair with a crown isn’t possible. The same goes for an advanced cavity or infection that no longer benefits from a filling or root canal. Taking them out prevents the spread of infection to other parts of your smile. We could take out teeth loosened by gum disease, and also to make room to correct misalignment for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. The most common reason is to prevent wisdom tooth impaction. As we approach adulthood, up to four new teeth could arrive. Unless taken out, wisdom teeth could partially erupt, known as an impaction, and lead to misalignment, infection, damaged teeth, and discomfort. By taking them out prior to eruption helps preserve your smile!
Ensuring Your Comfort
We want to make sure the procedure is very comfortable for you, which is why in addition to a local numbing agent, our team could administer dental sedation. With sedation, you enter a calm and relaxed state throughout the treatment. The extraction itself takes about 30 minutes on average, and we then suture the area closed. A friend or family member will take you home, as the sedation takes time to wear off completely. For the first day, you should avoid solid foods and brush and floss gently. Be sure you avoid activity too. The next day, you should return to normal activities, and we will remove the sutures in a follow-up visit.
Replacing Missing Teeth
With wisdom teeth, there is no need to remove any teeth. But losing a tooth to decay or infection, or injury, means a gap is left behind. This gap could lead to major complications for the health and beauty of your smile, which is why we can offer replacement with dental bridges, dental implants, or partial dentures. If you have any questions about how we remove a tooth, or about possible replacement options, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Have Questions About General Extraction?
When a tooth is severely damaged or infected, we can prevent complications with an extraction. To learn more about our general and restorative treatment options, then schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018. We’re ready to help your family maintain good oral health with our treatment options.