TOOTH EXTRACTIONS IN MCKINNEY, TX
Best Dentist McKinney
WHAT IS A TOOTH EXTRACTION?
Tooth extraction involves removing a tooth from its socket and can be done surgically or nonsurgically depending on if the affected tooth is visible or impacted. Wisdom teeth are the most commonly extracted teeth but other teeth may end up needing an extraction due to extensive tooth decay, gum disease, significant cracking, for orthodontic purposes, or to improve the tooth’s position or function.
Tooth extraction is typically a last resort and other dental procedures will be considered before opting to have a tooth removed. Contact us at Experience Dental today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Lee to discuss your options. Our office is located at 7001 S. Custer Road, Suite 200, McKinney TX 75070.
DID YOU KNOW…
Tooth decay is the most common reason for tooth removal.
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ANESTHETIC
If your tooth is visible and only requires a simple extraction, you will receive local anesthesia. If the extraction is surgical, you will receive local anesthesia as well as IV anesthesia and possibly general anesthesia (where you will be unconscious). This will prevent you from feeling pain. The more intense anesthesia will make you feel relaxed and sleepy.
LOOSENING THE TOOTH
Your dentist in McKinney will use a dental appliance known as an elevator to loosen the tooth in the case of a simple extraction by rocking the tooth back and forth in the socket. In a surgical extraction, an incision will be made in the gums to reveal the tooth and additional bone or parts of the tooth may need to be cut before extraction.
EXTRACT THE TOOTH
Once the tooth has been loosened, Dr. Dennis Lee will use forceps to pry the tooth out of the socket.
CLEANING & CLOSING THE SOCKET
After the extraction, your dentist will clean the socket to remove any infected tissue, get rid of sharp edges, and ensure all of the tooth remnants have been removed. The socket’s size will be restored and washed out. If your tooth was surgically extracted, the socket may require stitches.
AFTERCARE
At this point, Dr. Dennis Lee will give you gauze to control the bleeding and encourage blood clotting. You will need to bite down/apply pressure with the gauze on the socket for about an hour, changing the gauze as needed. You will be given aftercare instructions on how to reduce swelling, manage the bleeding, what to eat, and cleaning protocols. Dr. Dennis Lee may provide you with an ice pack if you are experiencing post-extraction swelling.
TYPES OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS & FAQS
BASIC EXTRACTIONS
WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
WHY WOULD I NEED AN EXTRACTION?
WHAT DOES THE AFTERCARE ENTAIL?
BASIC EXTRACTIONS
Basic extractions are typically used for teeth that have been damaged by oral injuries, gum disease, or tooth decay. We will always try to save your tooth first, but sometimes extraction may be necessary.
For example, if a tooth is severely infected, it may not be possible to save it with a root canal. Instead, your dentist may recommend an extraction. Restorative treatment, like a dental implant, a dental bridge, or a partial denture, can be used to replace your missing tooth.
WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, and are a natural part of our mouths. However, they grow in much later than the rest of our teeth, usually between the ages of 17-25. Because of this, many people do not have enough space in their mouths for wisdom teeth, particularly if they have had orthodontic work.
That means that the wisdom teeth can cause issues with your other teeth when they begin to erupt. They may cause your other teeth to shift and become misaligned, or they may become impacted and get infected. Wisdom teeth tend to cause discomfort, which is why most people choose to have them extracted when they begin to emerge.
WHY WOULD I NEED AN EXTRACTION?
There are many potential reasons for tooth extraction. Some of the most common reasons for extraction include impacted wisdom teeth, dental trauma, periodontal disease, overcrowding, or severe decay. Your dentist will discuss all of your dental options with you and extraction will be the last resort.
If it is possible to salvage the tooth by some other means such as a root canal, this will be recommended. Once you have a tooth removed, you are at risk of losing jaw bone density, causing shifting teeth, and changes in the facial structure. If you need an extraction, you should have the space filled with a dental implant, bridge, or dentures.
WHAT DOES THE AFTERCARE ENTAIL?
You will want to avoid smoking, eating hard or sticky foods, rinsing, spitting, and sucking for the first 24 hours. To reduce swelling, you can apply an ice pack to the area for 10 minutes at a time. You should leave the gauze in the mouth to help form blood clots and change them every 3 to 4 hours or if they are going to become too soaked with blood.
If you need to lay down, you should elevate your head. Your McKinney dentist will provide you with specific cleaning instructions, but you should be able to clean your teeth as normal as long as you avoid the site of the extraction.
After the first 24 hours, swish around lukewarm saline rinses in your mouth. Within the first 24 hours, you want to avoid eating and stick to mainly liquids. After the first 24 hours, you can eat very soft foods like pudding or applesauce. Within a few days, you can start to incorporate more foods. It will take roughly 1-2 weeks to completely heal.
DID YOU KNOW…
You cannot drink from straws after getting a tooth extracted because the suction will disturb the blood clot and can cause dry socket.
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