Tooth Extractions
Stuart, FL
While permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime, there are several reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted. Here at Colin M. McKinney, DMD, we can help with tooth extraction for some reasons, including decay or trauma. Once the permanent teeth come in, they are meant to last, but issues can arise that call for an extraction to take place. Learning more about the extraction process and what can cause a tooth to be removed can help you to experience better overall oral health.
Common Reasons for Extraction
A tooth may need to be extracted for some reasons. The most common involves damage due to decay or trauma to the tooth. If the tooth is unable to be repaired, it will be extracted by the dentist. From sports injuries to improper oral health care, damage can be caused in several ways leading to an extraction.
If your mouth is crowded, a tooth might be pulled to prepare the mouth for Invisalign® or other alignment tools. To properly align the teeth, a tooth may be pulled to make room for others. In a pre-teen, if a tooth is not able to erupt through the gums due to not having enough room in the mouth, an extraction process may be recommended.
Infection Issues
If you have tooth decay or the damage to a tooth is found in the pulp, the center of the tooth, then bacteria can enter leading to an infection. To fight an infection, a root canal is needed. However, if the infection is too severe, our team will have to extract the tooth to avoid spreading it.
Patients who have a weakened immune system are at a greater risk of infection, so pulling the tooth may be the only option. Patients with periodontal disease will need to have teeth pulled if the bones and tissues surrounding the affected tooth have caused it to become loosened.
What to Expect
If you are scheduled for extraction, you may be nervous and unsure as to what to expect. The process will be completed rather quickly so that you can get home and rest. First, before the tooth is pulled, a local anesthetic will be injected into the area to numb your mouth where the tooth will be removed.
If the tooth happens to be impacted, then the gum and bone tissue covering the tooth will have to be cut away for removal. Once the tooth is ready to be extracted, forceps will be used, and the tooth grasped and rocked back and forth. This loosens the tooth and allows it to be removed.
After the tooth has been removed, a blood clot should form in the empty socket. Gauze will be used in the socket to stop the bleeding, with the dentist asking you to bite down and hold the gauze in place. Stitches may be needed to close the edges of the gums where the tooth was removed.
If you have a tooth that is causing you pain, we can review it to see if extraction is needed. For more information about extractions, call the experienced professionals here at Colin M. McKinney, DMD at (772) 266-2223 today! |
