Learn All About How Getting A Tooth Removed Can Improve Overall Oral Health

OFTEN, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS STEP ONE OF GETTING YOUR BEST SMILE
Back when you were a little kid, pulling a tooth was a sure sign of a little money from the tooth fairy. Unfortunately, once you got all your permanent teeth, losing a tooth became much less enjoyable. There are multiple reasons why you might need a dental extraction to improve your dental health, such as tooth impaction, to avoid overcrowding, or a decayed tooth. While a tooth extraction might not sound like fun, it's not as frightening or uncomfortable as it once was. Using current techniques and multiple sedation options, MINT dentistry in Lancaster makes dental extractions a bit easier in the event that you need one. Our team in Dallas, TX will carefully examine the affected area before recommending an extraction. When a tooth needs to be pulled, our staff strives to make sure you feel comfortable from start to finish. Read on to explore the two main types of dental extractions and common reasons why a tooth might need to be pulled.

TYPES OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are various reasons that a tooth may have to get pulled. First, the team at MINT dentistry in Lancaster will establish the reason for your oral problem. After that, they will determine which type of tooth removal best suits your needs. Most tooth extractions fall into two primary categories:

• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  Your dentist will perform a simple extraction if the tooth has erupted above the gumline. The tooth may be loosened using a dental tool called an elevator before the tooth and root are removed from the jawbone and gum tissue. This method is generally chosen when a tooth is severely infected, very decayed, or irreparable, or to address overcrowding.
• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  An extraction surgery is done when the crown hasn't completely erupted out of the gumline. This means that an incision is required to reach the tooth inside the gums. If needed, the tooth might be divided into pieces for a smoother extraction. This method is generally utilized to remove the wisdom teeth or a nonerupted tooth.

COMMON REASONS YOU COULD BE REQUIRED TO GET A TOOTH REMOVED
Multiple different dental issues can lead to needing a tooth extraction. One of the top reasons patients in Dallas, TX would require a tooth extraction is to prevent impaction. Here are a few of the other common reasons you may require a tooth extraction:

• DAMAGE TO THE TOOTH
  Regrettably, mishaps can happen to the best of us, and, sometimes, our teeth might be affected. Although the first option is generally to attempt to save the tooth, it isn't always possible. The damage might be a result of a car accident or perhaps an athletic or work incident, but no matter the reason, patients in Dallas, TX really need to plan a consultation with a dentist if they've suffered an oral injury. It's possible that the damage might not be visible right away.
• SEVERE CAVITIES
  If a dental cavity is neglected or not treated in time, it can extend into the pulp within the tooth. Even though a root canal might possibly be done to preserve the tooth, it may have to be removed if the decay is severe enough to weaken the tooth. A simple extraction may keep the decay and infection from transferring to other teeth, the gums, jaw, and, eventually, your bloodstream.
• TEETH THAT HAVEN'T ERUPTED
  When patients have tooth impaction, it signals that there is some kind of problem preventing the tooth from erupting through the gum tissue. An impacted tooth could be obstructed by a baby tooth that hasn't come out naturally, or it might be moving in an abnormal direction and is blocked by a neighboring permanent tooth. Depending on the reason for the impaction, your dentist may perform a simple or surgical extraction to reduce pain or avoid an infection.
• OVERCROWDING OF THE TEETH
  In many cases, one or more teeth might need to be extracted in order to begin an orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign or braces. An orthodontic treatment is done to move the teeth into their correct alignment, which may mean extracting one or multiple teeth if there is not enough space so the remaining teeth can fit. Overcrowded teeth are generally resolved with a simple extraction.
• WISDOM TEETH
  Many patients' back molars, frequently referred to as the wisdom teeth, will most likely have to be extracted. The modern human jaw usually can't fit these extra teeth, so when they begin to erupt from the gums (in most people, from the late teens to early twenties), your dentist might suggest a surgical extraction. It's key to get your back molars taken out as soon as possible, so they don't get impacted or infected. However, a small number of people don't need to get their wisdom teeth pulled out. Occasionally, some lucky individuals don't grow all four wisdom teeth or even any whatsoever!

RECOVERY PERIOD FOR HAVING A TOOTH REMOVED
When you've had a dental extraction, it's important to pay attention to and diligently follow your dentist’s recovery directions. A simple extraction will typically need less recovery time compared to a surgical extraction; however, it will be different for each unique case. You may be prescribed antibiotics to avoid infection, as well as a pain medication. You may want to stick to a liquid diet for the first couple of days after the extraction, when your gums are still sore and healing. This is a good chance to eat a little ice cream, but you should also make protein shakes, etc., for more nutritious meals. You must avoid ingesting any tobacco products, both leading up to and after your treatment, as they can lower your ability to heal properly. Your dentist might recommend using an antibiotic mouthwash until you are released to start flossing and brushing again.

THE ANSWER TO A HEALTHIER, MORE APPROACHABLE SMILE MAY INVOLVE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A dental extraction could be needed for several reasons, including to prevent an infection from spreading, to address an impaction, or simply to provide your other teeth additional space. Dealing with all of these issues at MINT dentistry in Lancaster is part of obtaining your best smile. Reach out to our team in Dallas, TX to plan an appointment with our skilled staff to determine whether a surgical or simple extraction might be the optimal option for a sexier, healthier smile.