Tooth Extraction
Extractions are typically required if a tooth cannot be saved or is affecting the health of your teeth and gums.
What’s a Tooth Extraction?
Extractions are typically required if a tooth cannot be saved or is affecting the health of your teeth and gums. You can think of an extraction as a last resort when other treatments have failed or when a tooth has become severely compromised. A tooth may need to be removed because it’s cracked, become loose or has become seriously decayed. Alternatively, wisdom teeth may need to come out if there is not enough room in the mouth for them to come in fully.
Why is a Tooth Extraction needed?
Extractions are needed for a range of different reasons. To determine if one or more of your own teeth need to be removed, you’ll come in for a consult with Dr. Melissa Schuldt. Some of the most common reasons for needing an extraction include:
• You have wisdom teeth that are impacted and unable to come in completely
• A tooth has become severely decayed
• A tooth is loose because of gum disease or bone loss
• A tooth has cracked or broken beneath the gum line
• A baby tooth is having difficulties coming out on its own
What makes you a candidate for a Tooth Extraction?
Extractions are a simple type of oral surgery, simply requiring the tooth to be removed using specialized instruments. For many extractions, local anesthesia is all that is needed and can make the procedure comfortable for you or a child. For more invasive and complicated extractions, we may recommend full sedation. A consultation with Dr. Melissa Schuldt, which includes an exam, is required before any extraction can be done.
What happens during a typical Tooth Extraction?
You will receive either local or general sedation before the extraction is started. Dr. Melissa Schuldt will use special instruments to remove the tooth from its socket. Sutures, or stitches, may be necessary and placed immediately after the tooth has been removed. You’ll bite down on a piece of gauze to stop any bleeding and given important aftercare instructions. The extraction typically takes less than about an hour in our office. The procedure is safe and can be beneficial to your oral and dental health.
If you think you might need to have a tooth extracted, call our office now and we’ll help in scheduling a convenient appointment for you to come in.