While our team works hard to preserve and protect your teeth, sometimes an issue arises that cannot be addressed with a restoration. Instead, to protect your smile from major complications, we may suggest a tooth extraction. In today’s blog, your Olathe, KS, dentists talk about our safe and comfortable tooth extraction.
The Dangers of Wisdom Teeth
Our smiles can comfortably accommodate 28 teeth, but the arrival of your wisdom teeth pushes this number to 32 teeth. Without treatment, this could alter the alignment of your smile. Misalignment alone could increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. The eruption of these teeth could upset your bite’s balance and strain your jaw joints, leading to TMJ disorder and bruxism. A painful partial eruption known as an impaction could also occur, which is linked to infection, damaged teeth, and discomfort. To avoid these complications and preserve your smile, our team could remove the teeth completely before they even erupt!
The Safe Extraction Process
First, we want to administer dental sedation and a local anesthetic, which helps you stay calm and comfortable during the procedure. Once you’re comfortable, we will open the gums above the teeth and then gently remove them with a pair of forceps. We add medication and sutures the extraction site closed. You will need to rest for the first day, and avoid solid foods or the use of a straw. Don’t prod the extraction site with the tongue either! Take any prescribed medication as recommended, and also see us for a follow-up visit so we can remove the sutures and make sure everything is healing as it should.
Do Teeth Need Replacement?
Your third molars won’t need to be replaced at all. However, if you have an extraction due to infection, gum disease, or damaged teeth, then you may have a gap that could cause problems for your smile. In these scenarios, we may discuss treating underlying issues and moving forward with tooth replacement, such as bridges, partial dentures, or even dental implants. If you have any questions about treating tooth loss or extracting wisdom teeth, contact our team today. Now is a great time to undergo care as you beat the busy holiday season and use your 2021 dental insurance benefits before they expire at the end of December!
Do You Have Questions About Restorative Dentistry?
Sometimes removing a tooth could help protect your smile from poor oral health. Schedule an appointment today and learn more about our approach to oral surgery. 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.