While our restorative treatments aim to prevent tooth loss, sometimes actually taking out a tooth is necessary to safeguard the smile. In today’s blog, your Olathe, KS, dentists look at when this is the case, and how we complete a safe and gentle tooth extraction. We’re always looking at potential tooth replacement options!
When Smiles Need a Tooth Removed
When a tooth has erupted improperly, or is impacted, this could mean major complications for the alignment and balance of your bite. We could take the tooth out to address this. If a tooth is severely decayed or infected and cannot be treated with a filling or crown, extraction could prevent the spread of infection to other parts of the smile. We could also take out teeth to prepare your smile for a prosthetic, or to prevent wisdom tooth impaction and misalignment from developing as the third molars erupt. We also address the ones loosened by gum disease, or that have severely injured and cannot be repaired with a restoration.
How We Extract Teeth
We take steps to ensure the process is a comfortable one! To begin, we will not only administer a local anesthetic to the area around the soon-to-be-removed tooth, but we can also discuss dental sedation so you enter a calm and relaxed state with little to memory of the tooth extraction at all. We then use forceps to gently loosen and remove the tooth in question. They may be sutured closed or may receive a special medicated material to preserve the site. The entire process could take as little as 30 minutes to finish. We can then recommend tips and prescribed medication to ensure the area heals properly. You can usually return to normal activities after a day of rest.
The Tooth Replacement Process
In many cases, tooth replacement isn’t necessary. For example, if we take out wisdom teeth. But! Other times the removal leaves a gap behind in the smile, one that could impact the alignment, balance, and health and function of your smile. To fill this gap, we could discuss lifelike dental prosthetics. For example, we could secure a dental bridge, partial denture, or even a single tooth dental implant. If you have any questions about the extraction process or about replacing missing teeth, then contact our team today.
Ready to Discuss Tooth Extractions?
Our team would like to help you enjoy better oral health with oral surgery. Schedule an appointment today and learn more about addressing serious oral health troubles. You can also call E-Care Dentistry in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. Find our office at 15010 S Black Bob Road Olathe, KS 66062. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, and all surrounding communities.