On occasion, a tooth will need to be extracted in order to preserve the health of your mouth. At Hunsaker Dental, we have performed hundreds of tooth extractions. Our goal is your complete oral health, so we will not only remove the tooth but offer you several tooth replacement options to help you regain the function of your missing tooth.
Common Reasons for Tooth Extraction
Wisdom tooth impaction
Wisdom tooth impaction is probably the most common reason for tooth extraction. Many people’s mouths are not large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth. Further, wisdom teeth often come in at strange angles and present a real risk of impaction. A tooth that is said to be impacted is a tooth that runs into another structure in the mouth before it can fully emerge from the gum line. Impaction presents a real risk for infection and other oral maladies.
Decay
Many times teeth need to be extracted because of extreme decay. When you forget to take care of your teeth, decay-causing bacteria called plaque will begin to build upon your teeth and gums. After a while, if these bacteria are not washed away by brushing and flossing, they will harden on your teeth into a difficult to remove substance call tartar. If you continue to neglect your oral health after this point, there is a good chance that you will begin to develop cavities, where the bacteria actually eat away at the structure of your tooth. If this decay isn’t taken care of with professional dental care you could end up having to have the tooth extracted.
Trauma
Teeth often have to be removed due to trauma. Sports accidents are one of the most common and preventable traumatic sources of tooth injury. If you participate in physical sporting activities, make sure to wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth.
The Procedure
Tooth extractions are typically a quick and easy procedure, usually starting with the application of a local anesthetic to the area. We have a variety of anesthesia options available to accommodate your comfort. Once you are comfortable we will extract the tooth using some special tools and suture the site closed. (learn more about our sedation options)
You will be given gauze to place over the site and should keep it there at least until all bleeding has ceased. It is important to keep your mouth clean following extraction. It is important to follow the directions we provide to better help you manage your pain or discomfort with NSAIDs or any prescription that we provide you. Swelling can be brought down with a cold compress.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are typically removed in the late teens or early twenties because there is a greater chance that the tooth’s roots have not fully formed and the bone surrounding the teeth is less dense. These two factors can make extractions easier, as well as making the recovery time much shorter. The inability to keep wisdom teeth clean is also a reason to have your wisdom teeth removed.
Wisdom teeth extractions at Hunsaker Dental are done by our professional dentist and staff in a sterile environment where we make sure you are comfortable and taken care of. We offer oral conscious sedation as well as IV sedation to make your treatment relaxed and free from stress. We also have nitrous oxide which is available upon request. Our staff is happy and willing to answer all concerns that you may have.
Whether your wisdom teeth are simple extractions, or impacted and need surgical removal, Hunsaker Dental will take care of you using the appropriate anesthetic and the greatest care for your comfort.
Tooth Replacement
When you lose a tooth it is important to consider replacing it as soon as possible. If you go without a tooth for an extended period of time, there is a good chance that you will begin to lose bone mass in your jaw. This can lead to all kinds of issues with your teeth, even eventual tooth loss. We can help you to replace your teeth in just about every way imaginable. The ideal option is dental implants, followed by other permanent options like bridges. We also offer you removable options like partial and full dentures,– we can help bring your smile back.