Tooth Extraction The goal of restorative dentistry is to improve the function and appearance of your smile. Whenever possible, our team at Rockton Dental seeks to accomplish this by repairing and renewing your existing, natural teeth. However, if your teeth are severely damaged or decayed, repair may not be possible. In these situations, our team will need to use extractions to remove damaged teeth and make way for future replacement options.When Are Extractions Needed?Extractions are needed when you have a tooth or teeth that are too damaged and decayed to be repaired. If a severely damaged tooth is not removed when it should be, it can cause you substantial discomfort and pain. It can also lead to the spread of decay and infection, which will affect adjacent teeth and your gums. Extractions are also frequently needed for the removal of wisdom teeth to prevent overcrowding. How Are Extractions Completed?When you arrive for your appointment, our professional will begin by administering a local anesthetic to ensure that you are pain-free during the extraction. After they ensure you are numb, they will grasp the target tooth with surgical forceps and manipulate it in a repeated motion until it is freed from your gumline. In some instances, they may need to break the tooth into fragments and remove it piece by piece. If your tooth is impacted, then our team will need to make an incision in your gumline so that the tooth can be extracted. They will then break it into pieces and continue the process as normal. An impacted tooth is a tooth that is partially or completely below the surface of your gumline. After the extraction of an impacted tooth is completed, our professional will have to suture your gums at the surgical site. What Happens Next?After your extraction is complete, it is important that the area is protected from the bone loss that occurs when a tooth is removed. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 25% of the bone underneath an extracted tooth is reabsorbed within twelve months of removal. That is why our team offers ridge preservation grafts at the time of your extraction. During this process, a bone-like material is placed in the socket immediately after the tooth is extracted to protect you from bone loss and receding gums. Once damaged teeth are removed, there are several great restoration options available to you. The type of restoration used will be dependent upon the location and number of teeth that are extracted. One of the most popular and long-lasting restorations available to replace a single extracted tooth is a single tooth implant. This procedure involves the installation of a titanium post into your jawbone and the placement of a crown over the post. It is important to remember that a tooth extraction is not a negative procedure but is the first step on your journey to a brighter and healthier smile. If you are experiencing dental pain due to decay, then you may be a good candidate for extraction. It is time to schedule your appointment with our team at Rockton Dental and learn about our great post-extraction restorations. You can reach our office by calling us at (815) 624-3269 today. |
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