Dental Extraction in Clearwater, FL
Once you reach adulthood, your teeth are supposed to last you a lifetime. Not all of us are so lucky. For a variety of reasons, an adult may have to have one of their teeth removed. This is called “dental extraction”, or more formally “exodontics”. Here at Soni Smiles General & Implant Dentistry, we perform many of these operations each year in the Clearwater, FL area. What is involved in a dental extraction procedure, and why might I need one?
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN A DENTAL EXTRACTION?
Despite the high level of training required by your dentist or surgeon, the procedure is relatively straight forward. First, your dentist will anesthetize the region of your mouth being operated on to ensure that no discomfort is felt during your experience. If needed, your dentist will cut away any tissues that are in the way in order to proceed with the operation. Once the area has been fully prepared, the dentist will grasp the tooth using forceps and move the tooth back and forth in a gentle rocking motion to loosen it from the jawbone. If the tooth is too firmly connected to the bone, it may be necessary to cut the tooth and remove it in pieces. In most cases, the extraction can be done in a short amount of time while the patient is awake.
Next, the dentist will ensure proper clotting by filling the area with gauze. If needed, the dentist may need to apply stitches to aid in the healing process. Once this is complete, you will be sent home to rest for a few days to recover and usually given a prescription for pain medication.
WHY MIGHT I NEED A TOOTH PULLED?
The foremost reason would be a badly damaged tooth. This could be due to a dangerously decayed tooth that a dental filling cannot fix. Such damage could also be caused by physical trauma, such as would occur during a sporting or automobile accident. What other reasons are there?
INFECTION
Due to decay or other conditions, your dental pulp may become infected by bacteria. If the infection is beyond the help of antibiotics or root canal therapy, an extraction may be necessary.
CROWDED TEETH
When the teeth in your mouth have grown too close to each other or there are too many teeth, they may become crowded – a malocclusion. In such a case, your dentist may recommend an extraction.
If you have more questions about dental extraction, make an appointment with us at Soni Smiles General & Implant Dentistry and come to our local Clearwater office today!
