Tooth Extractions for Problem Teeth
The purpose of modern dentistry has switched from reactionary, like removing teeth, to preventative treatments, like sealants. Despite these efforts, your dentist may determine that the best option for stopping current damage and preventing further damage is to extract a tooth or teeth. Even though this is the treatment plan you agreed upon with your dentist, it not uncommon to feel nervous. The extraction process is relatively simple.
Tooth extraction generally usually involves more than one appointment and begins with your consultation when you and your dentist determine extraction is the best solution. An extraction can be simple or complex.
After either extraction process, the dentist at Edgerton and Glenn will suggest pain relievers to manage any pain or swelling.
Removing Wisdom Teeth
Unlike your other two sets of molars, your wisdom teeth are not essential to strong oral health and may, in fact, be creating more issues for you than the help they could provide with chewing. For some people, based on mouth x-rays the wisdom teeth are impacted, or in the jaw unable to join the rest of your teeth without serious complications. For others, the wisdom teeth should be removed because your mouth can’t physically accommodate another set of molars or the wisdom teeth are coming in at an ill-advised angle. Finally, for others, the teeth are located so far back in the mouth that proper dental care is difficult and the results are unavoidable gum disease or tooth decay.
General Tooth Replacement Options
With the exception of wisdom teeth, when the dentist removes your tooth or teeth, the tooth or teeth will need to be replaced once your mouth is healthy and strong enough to undergo more procedures. If you go through with the extraction, but fail to replace the tooth you could possibly run into one or more of the following:
- Gum Disease
- Decay of Surrounding Teeth
- Teeth Migration
- Jaw Bone Loss
When you and the dentist are discussing your treatment plan for the extraction and its follow up carte, you can address all the replacement options, including the two most popular choices, dental bridges and dental implants.
A dental bridge will incorporate a false tooth where the extracted tooth was and it is attached to the teeth on either side to stay in place. The dental bridge will complete your smile and it will help hold the surrounding teeth in place. Dental bridges can make eating or talking much easier. Your remaining teeth benefit from the dental bridge as it prevents them from becoming loose.
Dental implants are surgically implanted titanium rods below the gum line with a false tooth or bridge attached at the top. The titanium of the post grafts to your jaw bone.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Depending on the location of the teeth and how much cutting the doctor performed on your gums and bone, the doctor may leave oral stitches in your mouth to help the healing process. These oral stitches are designed to dissolve after a few days. Immediately following the extraction, the doctor may leave gauze pads in your mouth to help absorb any blood. Once your anesthesia starts to wear off, you may find you do not have much pain or discomfort, but if you do, most of this should subside within 3 days.
The best things to do following surgery are:
- Stick to a soft food diet with plenty of liquids
- Use ice packs to keep swelling down and minimize bruising
- Use a damp warm cloth to help any jaw soreness and open and close your mouth gently to prevent more soreness
- Use the medications your doctor prescribes or recommends
- Brush your teeth the second day, gently and carefully avoiding the healing areas
- Following up with your dentist or oral surgeon if your pain and swelling do not start to improve or you start to feel feverish
The things best to avoid following surgery are:
- Using straws so as to not risk sucking out your stitches or the blood clots helping your mouth heal
- Chewing gum or eating hard, crunchy food
- Smoking or using nicotine as this inhibits the healing process
- Rinsing aggressively or using a firm toothbrush on the healing areas of your mouth
After one or two weeks, you should be able to return to your regular oral care routine; however, if you are experiencing sustained discomfort after this period of time, please contact your dentist.
Consider deep teeth cleaning at Edgerton and Glenn to help prevent further oral health complications
Tooth Extraction Costs
Costs for each procedure vary depending on how long the procedure takes, what materials the procedure requires, how many visits the procedure requires, and the amount of work the dentist is required to do. It may surprise you to know, but dental insurance may cover some of the costs for these as well as elective procedures as they lead to improved overall dental health and long term benefits. If you do not have dental insurance coverage or you have any questions about payment options for your treatment plan, you are more than welcome to talk to our staff at any time. Your budget’s health is just as important as your mouth’s health.
High Quality Care You Can Trust
At Edgerton & Glenn Cosmetic and General Dentistry, you are more than just teeth, you are our patient and we want to help you to achieve and maintain oral health as best we can. We look forward to meeting you and talking about what is best for you and your mouth. Please contact us to set up an appointment at (910) 256-9230.
More Information About :
- All on Four Dental Implants
- CEREC Crowns
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Deep Teeth Cleaning
- Dental Bonding
- Dental Bridges
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Exams
- Dental Implants
- Dental Practices in Wilmington
- Dentures
- Family Dentistry
- Full Mouth Reconstruction
- Gum Disease
- Gummy Smile
- Implant Supported Dentures
- Inlay & Onlays
- Invisalign
- Laser Dentistry
- Mouth Guards
- Porcelain Veneers
- Root Canals
- Sleep Apnea
- Teeth Whitening
- TMJ Therapy
- Tooth Extractions
- Tooth Fillings