In our last blog, we explained how we treat a cavity with a dental filling. But what if you have an issue that cannot be treated with a filling or even a custom crown? In situations like these, avoiding discomfort and negative changes to your smile may mean a tooth extraction. In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about the need for safe and gentle tooth extraction.
The Issues That Require Tooth Extraction
As we mentioned above, when a tooth is so damaged that we cannot treat it with a crown, then removal is necessary to avoid the spread of infection to other teeth. The same goes for a tooth too decayed or infected to be treated with a root canal and crown. If we need to make room for orthodontic treatment or to pave the way for dentures, we could extract teeth. Our team could take out teeth loosened by gum disease. If you have wisdom teeth soon to erupt, we could extract them before they do so that you avoid misalignment, impaction, infection, and other serious complications.
Ensuring Your Visit is a Comfortable One
We know that the idea of removing a tooth can be anxiety-inducing, but we take time to ensure the procedure is a comfortable experience. First, we take detailed digital x-rays of your smile, which allows us to assess the position of your tooth and plan the extraction so we don’t come into contact with blood vessels, nerve tissues, or sinus cavities. Our team can also administer a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth is being removed. To ensure comfort, even for those with special needs or anxiety, we can also choose a dental sedation to help you enter a deep state of calm and relaxation, with little to no memory of the procedure at all!
The Tooth Extraction and Recovery
How do we remove the tooth? The tooth extraction is often a simple procedure that could take as little as a half hour to complete. With a pair of forceps, we will gently rock and loosen the tooth, taking it out and then suturing the area closed. With wisdom teeth, we may need to open the gums above the teeth to access and extract them. Our team then provides detailed aftercare instructions to facilitate a fast and successful healing period. Most people return to their normal routine in as little as a day or two.
Learn More About Restorative Dentistry
Dr. Browne and his team in Prairie Village, KS, want to offer a safe and gentle oral surgical procedure. When you have a tooth or two that needs to be removed, then reach out to our team today by calling 913-901-8585.
