What To Ask Your General Dentist About a Tooth Extraction

A tooth extraction can improve your dental health. The dentist can assess the tooth and see if it is still repairable. If not, then the dentist will remove it. Knowing more about tooth removal can help you prepare for the procedure. Here are some tooth extraction questions you can ask your general dentist on consultation day.

Why is a tooth extraction necessary?

The dentist may recommend a tooth extraction if there is severe infection or decay. The tooth’s infection may spread to the neighboring teeth. Gum disease may cause the weak tooth to break off. Extracting the tooth can prevent even more oral ailments from developing.

Removing the tooth is also necessary to prevent wisdom tooth problems like impaction. These teeth often erupt in the late teens. They can also come out in the early 20s. Partial wisdom tooth eruption is also at risk for impaction. This condition can cause terrible pain and infection. It can also harm the neighboring teeth.

How long does the surgery take?

Tooth extraction is a quick procedure. The dentist will first anesthetize the area and then use tools to pull the affected tooth out. Stitching the gums closed may be necessary afterward. The procedure should take about 20 to 40 minutes for one tooth. If the patient has more than one tooth for extraction, it will take longer.

Is it painful to have a tooth extraction?

The dentist will administer a local anesthetic before the procedure. This will ensure that the patient will remain comfortable during the extraction. The patient will remain awake and hear sounds during the procedure. For impacted teeth, the patient may need to be under general anesthesia and be unconscious during the tooth extraction.

How does one care for the dental space left from the procedure?

Refrain from using a straw days after the surgery. Drinking from a straw can loosen and remove the blood clots from the gums, which causes a dry socket and can be a painful condition. Gentle gargling with salt water can keep the blood clot clean and intact. Eat soft foods and take the prescribed medication to relieve discomfort.

Should the patient get a tooth replacement?

Replacing an extracted tooth does not just complete one’s smile. It also stabilizes all the remaining teeth in the mouth. Tooth loss causes jawbone loss. A replacement tooth can prevent this condition.

Dental shifting begins right after one loses a tooth. The neighboring teeth start to move into the empty dental space. This will lead to tooth loosening and possible tooth loss. Having a dental implant can help prevent this problem. It can protect one’s oral health and appearance.

What are the possible options for dental replacements?

There is no need to replace a wisdom tooth after its removal. But losing other teeth will require dental replacements. The replacement can fill the dental gap in one’s smile. Here are some of the options available for replacing lost teeth:

• Partial dentures can replace some lost teeth. Removable traditional dentures are less expensive, but they become uncomfortable to wear over time.
• Dental implants are the gold standard of dental restorations. Surgery is required to place dental implants in the jawbone. Proper osseointegration and care can make these dental replacements last for a lifetime.
• Fixed dental bridges can replace at least one tooth. The bridges use abutting teeth for support.