PAINLESS TOOTH EXTRACTION

Although every effort is made to save a tooth, it is often necessary to recommend extraction. One of the first concerns when discussing tooth extraction is usually the pain associated with the procedure while in the office. To minimize much of the pain and discomfort from this procedure we offer Sedation Dentistry for tooth extraction and other dental procedure at the request of our patients.

A dentist or an orthodontist may opt to pull a tooth for many reasons. The tooth may be so hopelessly damaged from tooth decay that it cannot be saved even with root canal therapy. It may be causing crowding or malocclusion (bad bite) which may prevent a new tooth from breaking through. Or, the tooth may be loose as a result of gum disease or even from an accident.

In a simple tooth extraction a dentist takes hold of the tooth with forceps and rocks it back and forth to loosen it from the bone. Removal of the overlying gum might be necessary if a tooth is not quite through the gum. After a tooth extraction, a blood clot forms where a tooth had once been. It is important not to dislodge the blood clot because it aids in healing. Disturbing the clot can result in a dry socket — a painful condition that may or may not heal by itself. Some swelling and light bleeding may occur over the next 24 hours.