Are you suddenly experiencing tooth pain? You might need a tooth extraction. We recommend extractions for patients dealing with overcrowding, infected teeth, impacted wisdom teeth, or severe tooth damage. At Hope Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry, we aim to help you achieve a healthier smile.
Removing a problematic tooth in our Tulsa, OK office can prevent future dental issues and help maintain good oral health. Extractions are one of the general dental services we offer to both new and existing patients. By removing problem teeth, we can stop infections from spreading and prevent damage to other teeth.
When Is a Tooth Extraction Necessary?
We do everything we can to save your natural teeth, but sometimes extraction is the best option. You may need a tooth removed if you have:
- Tooth Infection: While root canals and fillings can save many decayed teeth, sometimes the decay is too severe, and the tooth must be removed.
- Impacted Teeth: These are teeth that don’t have enough room to grow in properly. They can cause overcrowding and damage to nearby teeth. Removing them can prevent future complications.
- Damaged Teeth: If a tooth is severely damaged, a crown may help. But if the damage is too great, the tooth might need to be removed.
- Overcrowding: If orthodontic treatments can’t fix overcrowding, removing a tooth may help. This can make it easier to bite, chew, and even straighten your smile with further treatment.
Are Tooth Extractions Painful?
Many people think extractions are painful, but they aren’t as bad as you might expect. Tooth extractions are similar to other routine dental procedures in terms of discomfort.
Before removing a tooth, we’ll numb your mouth to ensure you don’t feel pain. For more complex extractions, like wisdom teeth, we may use sedation. With sedation, you won’t be fully aware of the procedure. You might feel some pressure or movement, but you won’t feel pain.
After the extraction, we may prescribe you pain medication. We recommend resting at home to recover comfortably.
What Happens During a Tooth Extraction in Tulsa, OK
Before any extraction, Dr. Cha will take dental X-rays to determine which teeth he needs to remove and plan the procedure. Some teeth are simple to remove because they are above the gum line, while broken or impacted teeth (like wisdom teeth) might take more time.
For simple extractions, Dr. Cha will use a local anesthetic. For more complex extractions, sedation might be used to keep you comfortable.
Simple extractions usually take just a few minutes. However, complex extractions can take longer, sometimes even hours. Sedation is provided for lengthy treatments, so you likely won’t be aware of what’s happening.
After the extraction, you’ll need to stick to a soft diet for several days and take pain medication as needed. A cold compress can help prevent swelling. If you encounter any problems during your recovery, please contact our office right away.
Wisdom Teeth: What You Need to Know
Wisdom teeth are the last set of four permanent teeth to come in. You might notice them starting to grow in your late teens or early twenties, but they can show up earlier or later. These teeth grow behind your molars at the back of your mouth.
For some people, wisdom teeth don’t cause any issues. However, they can be problematic if there isn’t enough space for them to grow. Often, wisdom teeth become impacted, meaning they get stuck under the gums. Impacted teeth can crowd your mouth and even damage your other molars.
Removing impacted wisdom teeth can prevent pain, overcrowding, and damage to your other teeth. If you feel your wisdom teeth coming in behind your molars, let Dr. Cha know. He will take X-rays and plan an extraction if there’s a risk of impaction. Catching and treating wisdom teeth early can help avoid more pain and damage later on.
Post-Op Instructions for Tooth Extractions
After your tooth extraction, we’ll place gauze on the extraction sites to help stop the bleeding. You should replace the gauze every 30 minutes until the bleeding stops. The gauze helps protect the tooth sockets and allows blood clots to form. These clots are important because they cover the nerves in the socket.
If the clots don’t form or get dislodged, you might experience a painful condition called “dry socket.” This happens when the nerves in the socket are exposed. If you get dry socket, you’ll need pain medication and gentle care.
Once the anesthesia or sedation wears off, you might feel some pain and sensitivity. We’ll prescribe pain medication to help manage this for the next few days. You can also use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling. Apply ice for 15 minutes at a time, then take it off for another 15 minutes.
Stick to eating soft foods while you heal, like pasta, yogurt, mashed potatoes, and soups. Avoid hard or crunchy foods, as they can irritate the extraction site and cause more pain. Be careful when eating and drinking, especially if your mouth is still numb—you could accidentally bite your lip or cheek.
Restoring Extracted Teeth
If Dr. Cha needs to remove a permanent tooth that isn’t a wisdom tooth or one extracted for overcrowding, he will likely recommend a dental implant. Implants can replace one or more missing teeth at the root and look and feel just like natural teeth.
For multiple missing teeth in a row, a dental bridge might be a better option. If you’ve lost all your teeth in an arch, dentures could be the best choice. Crowns, bridges, and dentures can also be supported by implants for a more secure and long-lasting solution.
Get a Comfortable Tooth Extraction Today
Are your wisdom teeth coming in? Do you have infected teeth that require removal? Call Dr. Cha for comfortable tooth extraction treatment in Tulsa, OK, today at 918-347-1114. You can also schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Cha on our website.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions about tooth removal. We’re here to help.