You’ve probably heard the expression “it’s like pulling teeth” to describe something difficult or painful to do. Although the exact origins of that phrase are unclear, one could surmise that it exists because extracting teeth used to be difficult and painful in the past. With today’s dental technology extracting teeth is actually a quite comfortable and easy procedure.
At 1st In Smiles in Plano, TX, we offer painless tooth extractions in a comfortable and modern office. Although the procedure is comfortable and routine, we believe it is best utilized as a treatment of last resort. We believe this because modern dental technology has given birth to amazing restorative dentistry procedures that we can use to restore our patient’s smile.
However there are still some occasions which necessitate extracting a troublesome tooth or teeth. So in today’s post of our dental health blog we’re going to look at several reasons why you may need have a tooth extracted, what to expect when you have a tooth extracted, and ways to keep your teeth healthy enough to avoid extractions. Let’s get started!
When Does a Tooth Need to Be Extracted?
Much like any other bone in your body, it’s possible for your tooth to break or fracture. Many times we can restore the health of the tooth with dental bonding or a dental crown. But severe fractions or the fragmentation of the tooth may necessitate having the tooth extracted.
Generally speaking the same is true for decayed teeth. If we catch a cavity early enough it’s a relatively simply to repair the tooth with a tooth-colored filling. Larger cavities may necessitate placing a dental crown over the decayed tooth. But if the decay is too far advanced for this treatment options we may need to extract the tooth to preserve the health of your surrounding teeth.
Teeth also sometimes need to be extracted if you’re going to undergo an orthodontic treatment such as braces or Invisalign. If a troublesome tooth is crowding your other teeth and pushing them out of alignment, it can make it impossible to effectively straighten your teeth. In this cases your dentist or orthodontist may recommend an extraction.
Your third molars, commonly called wisdom teeth, often need to be extracted for a variety of reasons. If you have fully developed your wisdom teeth they may be crowding your other teeth. If your wisdom teeth have only partially emerged from your gums (partially impacted) they are prone to suffering from decay and disease. If your wisdom teeth are impacted (stuck in your gums) you may experience toothaches, jaw pain, and other problems unless the wisdom teeth are removed.
How Are Troublesome Teeth Extracted?
We begin by completely planning your extraction using digital X-rays. We then numb your mouth using local anesthesia so your mouth is numb prior to the procedure. If you’re nervous or anxious about the procedure we can provide sedation dentistry options to help you feel more comfortable. Our office is also set-up so you can listen to music or watch TV during your procedure.
Most extractions are relatively straightforward and can be performed by Dr. Barfield. For more difficult cases, such as impacted wisdom teeth, Dr. Barfield works in conjunction with a local specialist right here in our comfortable and modern office. Following your procedure you may notice some minor soreness but it will fade quickly. Your dentist will provide detailed aftercare instructions to ensure that you heal quickly from the procedure.
How Do I Avoid the Need for Having Teeth Extracted?
Good oral hygiene and regular dental exams and cleanings are important steps in keeping your smile healthy. Dental cleanings help remove plaque and other bacterias which cause cavities and other tooth decay. A dental exam gives us the opportunity to detect any problems with your teeth before the problem becomes painful or troublesome.
With early detection we can generally repair your smile to full health without the need for an extraction. So remember to brush and floss your teeth twice a day and undergo a dental exam or cleaning every six months. Even if it’s been decades since you lasted visited the dentist, we’ll never lecture you or make you feel uncomfortable. We just want you to have a mouthful of healthy teeth
Do you have a troublesome tooth that’s causing you pain? Or has it simply been more than six months since you had your teeth professionally cleaned and examined? Either way we want to help! So contact 1st In Smiles in Plano, TX, to schedule an appointment. You can reach our office at 972-905-9266.
