The Facts About How Having A Tooth Removed Can Boost Overall Oral Health
MANY TIMES, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS A NECESSARY PART OF FLAUNTING YOUR NEW AND IMPROVED SMILE
In the days when you were a little kid, pulling a tooth was a sure sign of a little money from the tooth fairy. Sadly, as soon as you had all your adult teeth, it became much less fun. There are several reasons that you may need a tooth extraction to maintain your oral health, like tooth impaction, to prevent overcrowding, or an infected tooth. While a tooth extraction might not be a good time, it's not as scary or painful as it used to be. Using current techniques and many sedation options, MINT dentistry in Heights makes dental extractions a little easier in case you need one. Our team in Houston, TX will carefully evaluate the tooth prior to determining you need an extraction. When a tooth needs to be pulled, our team works hard to make sure you feel relaxed from start to finish. Read on to learn about the two main methods of tooth extractions and the leading reasons why a tooth may have to be pulled.
TYPES OF DENTAL EXTRACTIONS
There are a lot of reasons why a tooth may need to get extracted. To begin, your team at MINT dentistry in Heights will diagnose the reason for your oral issue. After that, they can decide what type of tooth extraction best fits your case. Most tooth extractions fit into two main categories:
- SURGICAL EXTRACTION
A surgical extraction will be done if the crown hasn't completely broken through the gums. This means that an incision is required to extract the tooth below the tissue. If necessary, the tooth could be cut into many pieces for a simpler extraction. This method is generally used to take out the back molars or a nonerupted tooth. - SIMPLE EXTRACTION
Your dental care provider will perform a simple extraction if your crown of the tooth is visible over the gumline. It is often loosened with a dental tool known as an elevator, and then the crown and root are removed from the jawbone and gum tissue. A simple extraction is typically selected when a tooth is badly infected, extremely decayed, or damaged beyond repair, or to make room for overcrowding.
STANDARD REASONS YOU COULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A TOOTH REMOVED
A lot of different dental issues could result in having to get a tooth extraction. Among the most common reasons patients in Houston, TX would have a dental extraction is to head off impaction. These are many of the additional routine reasons you might require a dental extraction:
- IMPACTED TOOTH
When you have an impacted tooth, it indicates there is some sort of blockage preventing the tooth from breaking through the gums. An impacted tooth could be blocked by a primary tooth that still hasn't come out naturally, or it could be growing in the wrong direction and is obstructed by a neighboring adult (permanent) tooth. Based upon the source of the impaction, the dentist might perform a surgical or simple extraction to stop pain or avoid an infection. - INJURY TO THE TEETH
Regrettably, mishaps can happen to anyone, and, sometimes, our teeth might be affected. Although the best choice is usually to attempt to preserve the tooth, it may not be possible. The damage could be caused by a car accident or even an athletic or workplace accident, but no matter the reason, anyone in Houston, TX really need to set up a consultation with a dental professional if they've suffered a tooth injury. Sometimes, the harm might not be obvious right away. - MOLARS
Most people's third molars, commonly called the wisdom teeth, will probably have to be pulled. The human jaw normally can't fit these additional teeth, so if they begin to push through the gum tissue (in most people, from ages 15 – 22), your dentist may need to do a surgical extraction. It's best to get the back molars removed as soon as you can, so they don't get impacted or infected. But a small number of individuals don't have to get their wisdom teeth taken out. Occasionally, some lucky patients don't develop all four molars or any whatsoever! - OVERCROWDING OF THE TEETH
For some patients, one or more teeth might have to be removed in order to begin an orthodontic treatment like Invisalign or braces. These treatments are intended to adjust the teeth into their correct alignment, which may require removing one or more teeth if there is not enough room so the remaining teeth are able to fit. Tooth overcrowding is typically resolved with simple extraction. - EXCESSIVE CAVITIES
When a cavity is neglected or not handled in time, it will often extend into the pulp within the tooth. While a root canal could potentially be conducted to save the tooth, it may need to be taken out if the damage is extreme enough to undermine the tooth's structure. A simple extraction can keep the decay and infection from reaching your other teeth, the gums, jaw, and, ultimately, your bloodstream.
RECOVERY TIME AFTER GETTING A TOOTH PULLED
In the days after a dental extraction, it's vital to understand and strictly follow your dentist’s healing instructions. A simple extraction will usually require less recovery time compared to a surgical extraction; however, it will be different for each case. You may be written a prescription for antibiotics to hold off infection, as well as a pain medication. You might opt to stick to a soft foods diet for the initial few days after the extraction, when your mouth is sensitive and recovering. This is a fantastic chance to have some ice cream, but you should also make protein shakes, etc., for more nutritious foods. You ought to avoid using all tobacco products, prior to and following your procedure, as they will reduce your ability to heal properly. Your dentist might tell you to use an antibiotic mouthwash until you are released to go back to brushing and flossing again.
THE ANSWER TO A HEALTHIER, MORE ATTRACTIVE SMILE MAY INVOLVE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A tooth extraction may be needed for many reasons, such as to prevent decay from traveling throughout the body, to treat an impaction, or just to provide your remaining teeth more space. Treating all of these problems at MINT dentistry in Heights is key to achieving your most attractive smile. Reach out to our team in Houston, TX to plan an appointment with our knowledgeable staff to find out if a simple or surgical extraction could be the most effective treatment for your new and improved smile.