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Dental Extractions

Dental extraction, or tooth extraction, sounds like a very scary process. However, here at Summer Creek Dental, we want to make sure that you know what to expect, and that you’re aware of both the services and aftercare available if you’ve been told an extraction would be good for you. 

 

When Would I Need a Dental Extraction?

There are many reasons why a dental extraction might be necessary. For example, if severe tooth decay has occurred in someone’s mouth, removing the affected tooth or teeth will dramatically reduce the amount of bacteria on your teeth, gums, and tongue. 

Similarly, if someone is experiencing gum disease, or they have collections of pus (abscesses) around certain teeth, removing the tooth that’s carrying the infection is a must for saving the rest of the mouth. 

You may also be right for a dental extraction if you have a broken tooth, and it cannot be fixed by other means. As an exposed tooth, it’s prone to infection, and removing it ahead of time as a precautionary measure ensures you’re living with good oral health in the future. 

Remember: Dental extractions are used as a last resort, if no other dental processes would be beneficial to you. A dentist won’t ever remove a tooth without trying to fill or crown it first, and a tooth extraction would never be sprung on a patient out of nowhere. As an experienced dentist, we know it’s a serious thing, and we know it’s important to be aware of the situations in which a dental extraction would be of use to you. 

What Happens During a Dental Extraction?

Here at our office in Humble, Texas, we take our time to ensure that any patients in need of a dental extraction are aware of what’s going to happen during the process. We want you to be able to make an informed decision, and to know that an extraction doesn’t have to be a painful and stressful thing to go through. 

A dental extraction can be a very simple process, and most patients are able to go home within an hour or two. Your dentist will tell you ahead of time what to expect during your dental extraction, as there’s a chance you’ll have special dental needs that require taking care of during the process. For example, if you live with certain chronic conditions, or if you’re taking certain types of medicine. 

Using a local anesthetic, your dentist will loosen the hole in your gum that your tooth sits in, and will gently remove it. This is usually completely painless, with only a slight pressure being felt during the process. The dentist will stop any bleeding, and then give you details on aftercare, to keep the affected area clean, and also give you advice on how to deal with any after pain. 

All in all, make sure you talk to your dentist ahead of time if you’re worried about what’s involved in a dental extraction, or what’s going to happen after.