Tooth Extractions – Gainesville, FL
Sometimes Removing a Tooth Is the Right Decision
A primary goal in dentistry is to preserve your natural teeth since you only get one set, after all. However, there are circumstances of decay or disease where the best move for your oral health is to have one or more of your teeth extracted. At Exceptional Dentistry & Sedation Center, Dr. Mowery is highly qualified to keep you comfortable during the process, as he is certified in IV sedation and also offers oral sedation. Sometimes removing a tooth is the right decision. To learn more, continue reading or contact our Gainesville office for an appointment!
Why Are Tooth Extractions Necessary?
A tooth extraction will only be considered after all other options have been explored. Our priority will always be to repair your damaged tooth via restorative dentistry like a dental crown or root canal therapy. But there will be situations where tooth extractions in Gainesville are recommended, such as:
- Severe tooth decay
- Severe gum disease
- An impacted tooth – most commonly involves wisdom teeth
- Overcrowding – can make oral care more difficult, cause bite problems, or set the stage for impaction
- Fractured tooth
- Tooth luxation – injury to the tissues, ligaments, or bone supporting your tooth
If Dr. Mowery recommends a tooth extraction, it is important to take action, so you do not risk more severe complications in the future.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
Your dentist in Gainesville will assess your affected tooth and surrounding gums, plus take dental X-rays. You will have the option to choose between nitrous oxide, oral conscious, and IV sedation to keep you comfortable. Next, local anesthesia will be given to numb the tooth and surrounding gum tissue.
Using specialized instruments, your dentist will gently loosen your tooth and lift it from the socket. If your tooth is badly decayed or has broken off at the gumline, it may be necessary to make incisions in the gums to access it. Once removal is complete, the socket is cleaned and disinfected. Stitches may be placed to promote healing.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
After the extraction procedure, you will receive post-op instructions to help you recover with minimal discomfort. To ensure your mouth heals properly, be mindful of these aftercare tips:
- Drink plenty of water and get some rest to promote healing
- Use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to manage pain and swelling
- Do not drink out of a straw
- Avoid hard, crunchy foods for the first few days
- Eat soft foods like rice, pasta, eggs, yogurt, and applesauce
- Take prescribed antibiotics and pain medications to alleviate discomfort
- Brush and floss carefully around the surgical site to keep it clean
- After 24 hours, rinse with warm salt water to disinfect the site
- Avoid strenuous activity for at least two days
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Although permanent teeth are durable and are designed to last a lifetime, they can still be vulnerable to injury and decay. If you have severely infected or damaged pearly whites that are beyond repair, then tooth extractions may be necessary. While this can be an essential treatment to protect your oral health, you’ll probably want to know as much as possible before undergoing the process. To make finding your answers easier, our team at Exceptional Dentistry & Sedation Center has collected the most frequently asked questions we get from our patients. Read along or reach out to us if you’d like to learn more about tooth extractions in Gainesville today!
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What Does the Tooth Extraction Procedure Involve?
Your procedure can vary depending on how severe your situation is. If your tooth is already erupted or has become loose, then our team may only need to use special dental pliers to easily extract it. Of course, we’ll be sure to numb your mouth before we start the process, that way you remain comfortable throughout the treatment. We can even offer you sedation therapy to help you relax if you’re feeling a bit nervous or anxious. However, if your tooth is impacted or has not erupted yet, then we may need to first make a small incision in your gums. This will allow us to access more of it so that we can safely pull it out.
What Can You Expect After the Procedure?
Once we’ve finished removing your tooth, we’ll suture the extracted gums and allow a blood clot to form. This will be essential for your recovery process, so you must protect this area. If it becomes dislodged or harmed, it can expose your gums and cause a dry socket, allowing bacteria to slip in. You may feel mild discomfort and soreness for a few days. But if you experience persistent bleeding, pain, redness, or any other signs of infection, then be sure to visit us right away for help.
How Can You Promote a Quick and Efficient Recovery Time?
Here are several important tips to follow that’ll help your healing process:
- Use saline water to rinse your gums.
- Take over-the-counter or prescribed pain relievers.
- Apply a cold compress outside your mouth to reduce swelling.
- Elevate your head to stop any bleeding.
- Avoid intense physical activity for at least 24-48 hours.
- Stick to a soft food diet that’ll prevent excessive chewing.
- Brush and floss like normal, but avoid your surgical site.
When Is Tooth Extraction Recommended?
In many cases, tooth extraction is recommended as a last resort, or when a tooth is beyond repair or will risk spreading an infection to other parts of your body. This procedure may also be necessary if you’re experiencing advanced gum disease, which can weaken your pearly whites and make an extraction necessary anyway. Having impacted teeth in your upper and lower jaw can cause extreme discomfort and may need to be pulled out to alleviate it. This is especially beneficial if it’s due to a wisdom tooth, as it can cause the rest of your smile to become misaligned and risk other dental complications.
