The Truth About How Having A Tooth Pulled Can Help Overall Dental Health

Reasons For A Tooth Extraction

OFTEN, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS A VITAL STEP IN ACHIEVING YOUR MOST BEAUTIFUL SMILE
In another lifetime, when you were a little kid, losing a tooth was a sure sign of a dollar or two from the tooth fairy. Unfortunately, as soon as you got all your permanent teeth, it became significantly less enjoyable. There are several reasons why you might require a dental extraction to improve your oral health, such as a tooth that hasn't erupted, to avoid overcrowding, or a decayed tooth. While a dental extraction may not sound like fun, it's no longer as scary or painful as it once was. With contemporary techniques and several sedation choices, MINT dentistry in Highland Hotel makes tooth extractions a bit easier in case you need one. Our team in Dallas, TX will thoroughly evaluate the affected tooth or teeth prior to saying you need an extraction. When a tooth has to be removed, our team strives to make sure you are relaxed from start to finish. Read on to find out about both techniques of dental extractions and the leading reasons why a tooth might have to be removed.

TYPES OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are several reasons that a tooth may have to be extracted. First, the team at MINT dentistry in Highland Hotel will figure out the reason for your dental issue. After that, they can choose which kind of tooth extraction best fits your needs. Most tooth extractions are based on two basic categories:

  • SURGICAL EXTRACTION
    A surgical extraction will be done when the tooth hasn't fully broken out of the gums. This means that an incision is required to remove the tooth under the tissue. If needed, the tooth may be cut into multiple pieces for a simpler extraction. Extraction surgery is usually used to pull the wisdom teeth or a nonerupted tooth.
  • SIMPLE EXTRACTION
    A dental practitioner will conduct a simple extraction if the tooth can be seen over the gumline. The tooth may be loosened with a tool called an elevator, and then the tooth and root are taken out of the jawbone and gum tissue. A simple extraction is generally chosen if a tooth is severely infected, extremely decayed, or damaged beyond repair, or to make room for overcrowding.

COMMON REASONS YOU MIGHT NEED TO GET A TOOTH REMOVED
Numerous types of oral problems can lead to having to get a tooth extraction. One of the top reasons patients in Dallas, TX might have a tooth extraction is to prevent a tooth eruption problem. Here are a few of the other routine reasons you might need a dental extraction:

  • TEETH THAT HAVEN'T ERUPTED
    If you have tooth impaction, it means there is some kind of problem keeping the tooth from erupting out of the gums. An impacted tooth could be obstructed by a baby tooth that hasn't come out on its own, or it might be moving in the wrong direction and is blocked by a nearby permanent tooth. Depending on the source of the impaction, the dentist may recommend a surgical or simple extraction to ease discomfort or prevent an infection.
  • SEVERE CAVITIES
    In cases where a cavity is left untreated or not handled appropriately, it can extend into the pulp within the tooth. While a root canal could potentially be conducted to preserve the tooth, it may have to be taken out if the pitting is extreme enough to compromise the tooth's structure. A simple extraction can stop the decay and infection from transferring to other teeth, the gums, jaw, and, ultimately, your circulatory system.
  • OVERCROWDING OF THE TEETH
    In many cases, one or more teeth may need to be extracted to prepare for an orthodontic treatment like Invisalign or standard braces. These treatments are meant to adjust the teeth into their correct alignment, which might mean pulling one or multiple teeth if there is not enough space so the remaining teeth can fit. Overcrowded teeth are typically treated with simple extraction.
  • INJURY TO THE TEETH
    Sadly, injuries can happen to us all, and, sometimes, our teeth could be damaged. Although the ideal option is usually to make all efforts to preserve the tooth, it might not be possible. The injury could be a result of a car crash or maybe a sports or on-the-job incident, but whatever the reason, people in Dallas, TX really need to arrange a visit with a dental professional if they've experienced an oral injury. Sometimes, the harm isn't visible to a nonprofessional.
  • MOLARS
    Your third molars, frequently known as the wisdom teeth, will most likely have to be removed. The human jaw generally can't fit these particular teeth, so when they start to push through the gums (usually during ages 15 – 22), your dentist might need to perform a surgical extraction. It's crucial to have the wisdom teeth extracted as soon as you can, before your teeth get infected or impacted. However, certain people never need to get their wisdom teeth pulled out. It's uncommon, but some fortunate patients don't get all four wisdom teeth or any whatsoever!

HEALING PROCESS AFTER GETTING A TOOTH PULLED
Following a tooth extraction, it's important to pay attention to and strictly follow your dentist’s post-procedure instructions. A simple extraction will normally have less healing time compared to a surgical extraction; however, it is going to depend on each case. You might be written a prescription for antibiotics to avoid infection, and maybe a pain medication. You might want to stick to a soft foods diet for the immediate couple of days following the extraction, when your gums are tender and healing. This is a good chance to have some ice cream, but you ought to also use protein shakes, etc., for more nutritious meals. You must stop using all tobacco products, leading up to and after your procedure, since they will impair your body's capacity to heal properly. Your dentist may recommend using an antibiotic oral rinse until you are released to go back to flossing and brushing again.

THE ANSWER TO A HEALTHIER, SEXIER SMILE MAY INCLUDE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A dental extraction may be done for a lot of reasons, including to keep decay from affecting other teeth, to resolve an impaction, or just to allow your remaining teeth enough space. Taking care of all of these issues at MINT dentistry in Highland Hotel is important in finally having your most attractive smile. Contact our practice in Dallas, TX to schedule an appointment with our skilled dental professionals to determine if a simple or surgical extraction could be the most effective treatment for your future smile.

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.