When dental flaws like tooth decay and cavities occur, our dentists can treat them through fillings and crowns. If these treatments are not applicable, tooth extraction is your best option.
Saving your teeth is our utmost priority. However, dental extraction might be the only practical solution if your tooth is diseased or severely damaged.
Tooth extraction can prevent bacterial infections from spreading to neighboring teeth, improving oral health. If you are seeking dental extraction in Walnut Creek, our dentists at the Dental Implant Center at Walnut Creek can help.
What Is Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction is the removal of diseased, impacted, or damaged teeth to safeguard the health of the remaining teeth. It entails surgically removing the affected tooth from its socket and replacing it with dental implants or other prosthetic dental solutions.
Types of Tooth Extraction
A simple dental extraction is for removing a visible and easily accessible tooth that is above the gum line. The tooth might be intact but diseased or with cavities, requiring extracting. The procedure involves pulling out the tooth with an elevator and forceps. Our dentists will administer local anesthesia to numb the area and make you calm and comfortable.
We will then loosen the affected tooth with an elevator and pull it out with the dental forceps.
We may recommend a surgical extraction for a cracked or disintegrated tooth that is not easily accessible and is below the gum line. Our specialist will perform a panoramic X-ray to determine if a surgical extraction is necessary. This surgical treatment also removes infected gum tissue.
After extraction, we will place a cotton gauze to stop the bleeding. We may also recommend dental implants to replace the extracted tooth or suggest socket preservation to fill the void left by the extracted tooth.
When Is Dental Extraction Needed?
Dental extraction might be necessary if your tooth is completely damaged and is causing unbearable pain. We may also recommend tooth extraction if you have a severe bacterial infection in one or more teeth. The infection might spread to other teeth and cause complications.
Tooth extraction is also necessary if the affected tooth is not responding to root canal treatment.
In some cases, we may extract damaged dental implants. Although dental implants are permanent, they might develop issues caused by bone atrophy. This condition results from severe gum disease, causing the underlying jawbone to deteriorate. Dental implant extraction involves removing the implant before placing a bone graft to regenerate new bone in the area. After healing, we will insert a new dental implant before placing your artificial tooth.
Benefits of Tooth Extraction
We always prefer to save your teeth. However, tooth extraction might be the only option to maintain optimal oral health. It is always a last resort if other dental treatments are not applicable.
Unknown to many, dental extraction has numerous benefits. First, it protects your remaining teeth and gums from bacterial growth. This lowers the risk of future oral problems. Tooth extraction also reduces pain caused by cavities and tooth decay. Lastly, extracting damaged teeth also gives you the opportunity for new teeth, restoring your smile and self-esteem.
Candidates for Tooth Extraction
Anyone with damaged or diseased teeth can undergo tooth extraction. We may recommend dental extraction if you have severe gum disease or a tooth that does not respond to root canal treatment. Patients with dental injuries and crowded teeth are also candidates for tooth extraction.
Aftercare and Recovery
You should be okay after a few days to resume your regular schedule without issues. However, your recovery depends on the complexity of the extraction.
Proper aftercare is also critical to expedite your recovery. Avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks to allow the socket to heal. You should also keep the extraction site clean using antibacterial mouthwash and avoid probing the area with your tongue.
Ensure you take all of your medications as prescribed to avoid complications or infection.
Risks and Complications
Tooth extraction is a safe procedure. However, it may come with a few risks. You might develop an infection, or the socket might become dry. Sometimes, healing might take longer than expected. Fortunately, these risks are manageable with various medications.
Frequently Asked Questions on Tooth Extraction
If you have an appointment for dental extraction, you might have some questions before undergoing the procedure. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions on tooth extraction.
Is Tooth Extraction Painful?
Tooth extraction is a painless procedure. We administer anesthetic to patients before the extraction to make them calm and comfortable. You might feel slight soreness or discomfort after the procedure, but we will also provide solutions to manage the discomfort.
How Long Does Tooth Extraction Take to Heal?
Recovering from a simple extraction takes one to three weeks. Surgical extractions might take up to three months to heal completely.
How Do I Know If My Extracted Tooth Has An Infection?
You might know if the site of the extracted tooth has an infection if healing takes longer than expected. An infected socket might also swell or cause throbbing pain.
Ensure you book a dental checkup to receive the appropriate treatment for the infection.
Safe and Painless Dental Extraction in Walnut Creek
Restore your oral health and bring back your smile with safe and painless dental extraction in Walnut Creek. Contact the Dental Implant Center at Walnut Creek at (925) 266-3550 to book an appointment with one of our friendly dentists.
