Tooth Extractions - Dallas, TX

Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

If a natural tooth requires extraction, the most likely reason is that it’s become so damaged or decayed that it can’t be properly restored with a filling, a dental crown, or root canal therapy. If a tooth fails to emerge from the gum tissue properly, it becomes impacted and is likely to become infected, meaning that extraction is probably the best option. In other cases, we may need to remove teeth to make room for orthodontic appliances or the placement of a custom denture. Some children may need stubborn baby teeth removed to make room for their adult set. Removing infected teeth can also prevent the germs from spreading to the rest of the smile or possibly causing dangerous secondary infections like sepsis in the rest of the body.

The Process of Removing a Tooth

The process of removing a problematic tooth begins with one of our dentists administering an appropriate anesthetic treatment to ensure that the procedure is completely painless, and you may also receive dental sedation if you need some extra help sitting comfortably. Our dentist will then use a tool called an elevator to lift the tooth from its socket before grasping it with forceps and gently rocking it back and forth to free it from its connective tissue. We recommend replacing lost teeth as soon as possible to prevent a variety of oral health problems such as gum injuries and dental misalignments, so we’ll discuss your options for restoring your tooth during your consultation.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Strictly following your postoperative instructions can help keep your recovery brief and complication-free. You can expect our dentists to recommend:

• Taking medications as prescribed
• Rinsing the mouth with a saltwater solution (8oz warm water mixed with half a teaspoon of salt) twenty-four hours after the procedure.
• Abstaining from smoking
• Refraining from drinking through a straw
• Avoiding strenuous exercise
• Propping up your head with pillows or cushions when lying down to reduce the blood pressure in your healing tissues
• Getting plenty of rest

Replacing lost teeth with a restorative appliance such as a denture can help prevent the rest of the smile from drifting out of alignment as well as injuries to unprotected gum tissue.