It may be daunting or nerve-wracking to think about tooth extraction. However, you should know that this process of removing a tooth from its socket is only performed by dentists if it is absolutely necessary in order to ensure your overall dental health. It is also a straightforward and painless procedure.
At The Dental Design Studios in Houston, Texas, our compassionate team offers gentle dental care for all your oral health needs.
When Is Extracting a Tooth Necessary?
Apart from wisdom tooth extractions that are required to prevent complications, other situations when a tooth extraction may be necessary include:
- extensive tooth decay
- tooth infections that cannot be treated with root canal therapy
- overcrowded teeth
- for orthodontic treatment to make room for the other teeth to shift into their proper positions
In addition, if you are about to undergo complex medical procedures like chemotherapy or an organ transplant, you will need to have any damaged or infected teeth extracted.
Tooth extraction is performed by an oral surgeon or general dentist under anesthesia, and it is relatively quick. When the teeth are visible, the extraction process is a simple operation. However, the procedure becomes more complicated when the teeth are broken into pieces, below the gum surface, or severely impacted.
Tooth Extraction Procedure
The dentist will first take an X-ray of the teeth before starting the tooth extraction procedure.
You should inform the dentist of any medications, vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking. Also ensure your dentist is aware of any medical conditions like congenital heart defects, diabetes, liver, thyroid, renal diseases, hypertension, artificial joint, adrenal diseases, etc.
Before the tooth extraction, the dentist will administer local anesthesia. You should avoid smoking beforehand and inform the dentist of any nausea and vomiting you may have experienced the night before the procedure. The dentist might administer another type of anesthesia or reschedule the procedure in such cases.
After the procedure, you should apply an ice pack on the cheek to remove swelling, take medicine as prescribed, and rest for about 24 hours. In a few days, the recovery process will be completed.
To learn more about tooth extractions, contact The Dental Design Studios at (713) 468-5800 or visit us at 8391 Westview Drive, Houston, TX 77055.