As much as we want our patients to have full, healthy smiles, there are times when we can’t save a tooth, whether because of infection or damage. If this happens, the team at PureSmilesCT will take good care of you throughout the extraction process.
If you have been experiencing severe tooth discomfort and think you may need a tooth extraction, visit our dental office in Branford, CT. Our team will do a thorough examination and present you with your treatment options.
What Is Surgical Tooth Extraction?
A surgical tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth that requires small incisions in the gums in order to fully remove all tooth and root material. To perform the procedure, the dentist will make small cuts into the gums to expose the bone underneath the gum line. Then the tooth is removed in smaller pieces to ensure that the extraction is complete.
Reasons For Surgical Tooth Extraction
When a tooth can’t be repaired using other restorative means, like a filling or a crown, we may need to perform a surgical tooth extraction. There are a number of reasons we may need to extract a tooth, including:
- Tooth impaction
- Severe tooth decay
- Broken tooth
- Infection in the tooth or the gums
- Overcrowding
- To prepare for another procedure, like a dental implant
What Is Tooth Impaction?
A tooth impaction happens when the tooth does not fully erupt from the gums. Wisdom teeth are the most likely to become impacted, but an impaction can affect any tooth and can happen with baby teeth and permanent teeth. Impaction happens for a number of reasons, including overcrowding, nearby tooth decay, and gum disease. If a tooth becomes impacted, we usually have to perform an extraction in order to relieve discomfort and preserve the surrounding teeth.
Symptoms Of Tooth Impaction
Tooth impaction can cause a number of dental health issues, including:
- Tenderness in the area
- Bad breath
- Redness and swelling around the impacted tooth
- Headache or jaw ache that won’t go away
- Noticeable gap where the tooth should be (less apparent with wisdom teeth)
The symptoms of tooth impaction can mimic signs of other oral health problems, so it’s important to come in for an exam if you’ve experienced any of these symptoms.
The Surgical Extraction Procedure
If we need to surgically extract a tooth, we will consult with you prior to the procedure and answer any questions you may have. We will also take x-rays to assess the state of your jaw bone, and examine your gums and surrounding teeth. Once the extraction process begins, the dentist will make a small incision in the gums to create a flap, which gives access to the tooth and its roots. We’ll then remove the tooth in sections and repair any bone damage in the area. Once the area is clear, we clean the socket and then stitch up the gum flap to close the area and encourage the gums to begin the healing process.
To keep you comfortable throughout the extraction procedure, we can use either local anesthesia or IV sedation. Our team is trained in sedation methods and will monitor you for comfort and safety the entire time.
Post-Operative Care & Recovery
Once the extraction is over, we will have you apply pressure using a piece of gauze. This pressure allows a blood clot to form over the incision. After 24 hours, bleeding should be mostly stopped. Make sure to keep the area clean and take any medication as directed. Drinking through straws can lead to dry socket, so those should be avoided if possible. Within 48-72 hours, you can mostly return to normal activity. Complete healing of the bone can take a few weeks. If you have any post-op concerns, don’t hesitate to call our office.
Optimal Oral Health Care
We understand that the idea of tooth extraction can cause anxiety in our patients. When you choose PureSmilesCT as your dental care provider, you can rest assured that we will make your comfort a top priority. Call today with any questions and to schedule your appointment.