A Basic Guide to Dental Extraction in Scottsdale

It should always be your priority to preserve and save your natural teeth. However, there comes a time when a tooth has to be extracted for the sake of your oral health. In this blog, we will discuss the extraction procedure in detail to help you make an informed decision about it.

What is Dental Extraction?

It is the safe removal of severely decayed, impacted, or infected tooth by a dentist. A dental extraction is also used to remove a few back teeth to make space for orthodontic treatment.

When Your Dentist Can Recommend Extraction

First, your dentist will try to save your natural tooth through all means possible. However, if it can’t be saved, the dentist will go ahead with the extraction. Some instances when extraction can be necessary include:

Severe Dental Infection

Most dental infections are treatable, and they don’t lead to extraction. However, if the infection has spread to the dental pulp and the tooth can’t be saved through root canal therapy, the dentist will have to extract the infected tooth. Failure to that the infection will cause you pain and agony, plus the infection can spread to the surrounding teeth.

Severe Tooth Decay

Dental decay is simply treated through dental fillings or crowns. However, if the decay is too severe that a crown cannot strengthen your tooth, an extraction may be necessary.

Gum Disease

Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss. The infection affects the bone and the tissues of a tooth, loosening it. In the end, the tooth can fall out while you are eating. Unfortunately, most people notice the infection when it is too late. You can avoid that by getting regular dental exams.

Crowded Mouth

If you plan to get orthodontic treatment, but you have more teeth than your jaw can handle, the dentist can recommend extraction.

Wisdom Teeth Complications

Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars, and they rarely play any role in digestion, speech, or smile appearance. Due to their location, it is often challenging to clean them effectively. Because of that, they are at a higher risk of dental cavities and infections. If they develop complications, the dentist can suggest removal.

Some people develop impacted wisdom teeth. Impacted teeth must be removed because they can cause a lot of discomforts.

Types of Extractions

There are two types of tooth removal, surgical and simple. In the simple approach, the dentist removes a visible tooth like an infected or decayed tooth. In the surgical approach, the dentist extracts an impacted tooth. The approach is mainly used for impacted wisdom teeth.

Preparation

Typically, you won’t need to prepare much for the procedure. However, there are a few things you should get in order before going to the dentist. First, inform your family members you are going for tooth removal and go along with someone to drive you home after the procedure. Then, carry your medical history so the dentist can know how you react to different anesthetic medicines.

Things to Tell Your Dentist Before the Extraction

Inform your dentist if you have any of the following medical conditions:

• Heart-related problems
• Artificial joints
• Liver cirrhosis
• A weak immune system

Aftercare

Typically, it will not take you more than two hours in the dental clinic. The treatment is not painful as you will be numbed with local anesthesia. However, after the anesthesia wears off, you will experience some pain, swelling, and sometimes bleeding. Luckily, your dentist will teach you how to manage this discomfort to increase your recovery speed. Some tips he may provide you include:

• Take the provided painkillers as per the instructions on the packaging.
• Use the ice-cold compress method to alleviate pain and control swelling.
• Place a piece of gauze on the extraction site if it starts bleeding again.
• Don’t smoke during the recovery period.
• Don’t drink too hot drinks a few days after tooth removal.
• Don’t use a straw for the first 72 hours.
• Don’t disturb the extraction site while brushing your teeth.
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water for the first 14 days.

Scottsdale Center for Dental Health

If you are looking for a dentist in 85258, you are in the right place. We will try to save your teeth through all means possible and only recommend extraction as a last resort. Please book an appointment today and let us help you.