Many patients fear pain if they need a tooth extraction. However, we provide comfortable tooth extraction treatment for patients at Hebron Family Dental in Carrollton, TX. Additionally, as a general dental treatment, tooth extractions can prevent future dental problems. Removing problem teeth can prevent the spread of infection, tooth damage, and pain.
Our office can also provide tooth replacement as needed using dental implants. Sometimes, removing and replacing teeth is the best option for patients with problem teeth.
Why Do I Need My Tooth Removed?
In some cases, we must remove one or more teeth to improve the health of the natural teeth and gums. We will remove teeth if you have these dental problems:
- Impacted Teeth: An impacted tooth is a tooth that does not have enough room to grow. As a result, it can injure other teeth, increase the risk of gum and tooth infection, and cause regular tooth pain. These teeth can also become twisted or grow at an angle.
- Infected Teeth: We can preserve an infected tooth with a filling or root canal. However, if your tooth infection progresses so far that it destroys the tooth structure, we must remove it.
- Damaged Tooth: If we cannot repair a broken tooth, we may recommend removing and replacing it. Deep tooth fractures below the gum line are not easily repairable. Tooth fractures can also increase the risk of infection and dental abscesses.
- Overcrowded Teeth: We may need to remove a tooth if there is not enough room in the mouth to correct overcrowding. After removing one or more teeth, we recommend orthodontic treatment to straighten your smile. Fixing overcrowded teeth will prevent tooth damage, wear, and discomfort.
We can also provide same-day emergency dental treatment if you need a dental extraction. A severe dental infection, toothache, or a broken tooth may require urgent dental care.
Tooth Extraction in Carrollton, TX
Before any tooth extraction treatment, we will take X-rays. With these dental X-rays, we can see any growing impacted teeth. We can also plan which extraction method is best for your teeth. Our office will create a treatment plan based on your dental problems.
During a simple extraction, we remove a tooth above the gum line. First, we will numb the tooth. Then, we gently rock it back and forth to remove it from its socket.
A complex tooth extraction removes teeth at or below the gum line. Because this extraction needs more time, we will use dental sedation. Sedation ensures that you do not feel pain or discomfort during the extraction. You may even fall asleep during your treatment.
Removing Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the final permanent teeth to grow in the mouth. They typically grow when you reach your teens or twenties.
When you feel wisdom teeth growing behind your molars, contact our office. We will take dental X-rays and plan the right time for wisdom tooth removal. While not every patient needs these teeth removed, we recommend removing wisdom teeth because they can become impacted.
Waiting to remove wisdom teeth can also make them more challenging to remove. Wisdom teeth can dig into the molars, overcrowd the teeth, and create chronic toothaches. Removing wisdom teeth can improve your everyday comfort and prevent tooth damage.
Dental Extraction Post-Op Care
Directly after your extraction, we will place gauze at the extraction sites. We recommend gently biting down on the gauze to help stop post-treatment bleeding. Gauze also helps blood clots form over the sites. These blood clots protect and cover the nerves and bone.
If these blood clots do not form or you dislodge the blood clots, you can experience dry socket. Dry socket occurs when a dislodged blood clot exposes the bone and nerves. This increases sensitivity and is highly painful. The only treatment for dry socket is pain medication and gentle care.
After your extraction treatment, follow these general instructions:
- Do not use a straw. The sucking motion can dislodge the blood clots from the extraction sites.
- Eat soft foods. Hard and crunchy foods can irritate the extraction sites.
- Take pain medication as prescribed.
- Use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Remember to use an ice pack for 15 minutes at a time.
- Replace your gauze every 30 minutes until the bleeding stops.
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products. Nicotine restricts the blood vessels, which slows healing.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
Learn more about tooth extraction treatment in our office with answers to these common questions:
What happens if you don’t replace an extracted tooth?
We will not recommend replacing teeth we remove because of overcrowding. Our office will also not replace wisdom teeth. However, we recommend replacing infected or damaged teeth. If you do not replace extracted teeth, you can experience these problems:
- Shifting teeth
- Misaligned teeth
- Tooth or gum infection
- Toothaches
- Bone loss
After you heal, we will recommend the appropriate restoration for your number of missing teeth.
How can I replace my teeth after a tooth extraction?
We recommend implant-supported restorations to replace your extracted teeth. You can restore single missing teeth or all of your teeth with implants. Dental implants can support crowns, bridges, or dentures. While removable dentures and traditional bridges are less expensive, they may not last as long.
Will pulling a bad tooth stop tooth pain?
Yes. You may feel discomfort for a couple of days after your tooth extraction. However, removing the problem tooth will ultimately stop tooth pain and associated dental problems. You will no longer feel pain from an infected, damaged, or impacted tooth.
Can an impacted tooth fix itself?
No. If you have an impacted tooth, symptoms like toothaches, infection, or tooth damage worsen over time. The only way to reverse these symptoms is a dental extraction.
How much is a tooth extraction?
The cost of your tooth extraction will depend on these factors:
- Number of problem teeth
- Type of extraction
- Length of treatment
- Sedation and anesthesia
Affordable tooth extractions are possible. At Hebron Family Dental, we will work with you to fit dental care within your budget. We are in-network with many dental insurance providers. Our office also accepts CareCredit and Alphaeon.
Do I need to take off work or school after my tooth extraction?
We recommend taking off work or school two to three days after your extraction treatment. You will begin to feel normal a couple of days after treatment. You can also work from home, if possible, during healing. It will also take longer to heal after a complex extraction or extractions that remove multiple teeth.
Improve Your Dental Health
Remove problem teeth with comfortable tooth removal in our office. Schedule an appointment at Hebron Family Dental or call 972-236-5871 . Please let us know if you have questions about tooth extraction treatment in our Carrollton, TX office.