When it comes to dental care and treatment, dentists aim to save your natural teeth. However, there comes a point when this is no longer possible, especially if your tooth is severely damaged. In that case, your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction. An extraction means the complete removal of the affected tooth because it cannot be saved and could cause further problems if left in place. Tooth extractions can be simple or surgical, depending on the nature and severity of the damage.
If you are in Encino and have a severely damaged tooth that needs extraction, we can help you understand what this entails and its benefits at The Encino Dentist. We will explain the extraction procedure in advance to prepare you for the treatment process. Our skilled and experienced dentists will also guide you through the treatment process to ensure a successful extraction.
Circumstances Under Which Tooth Extractions are Necessary
When you visit your dentist’s office with a toothache, sensitive tooth, or any other indication of a dental problem, their primary goal is to treat the cause of your symptoms and save as much of your natural teeth as possible. Natural teeth are generally strong, sturdy, and beautiful. Dentists believe that saving your natural teeth is good for your oral and general health. However, sometimes saving your natural tooth is impossible, especially if the damage is severe. In this case, the dentist will discuss tooth extraction as the best solution. Thereafter, they can discuss tooth replacement options like dental crowns, dental bridges, or dentures.
Tooth extractions are sometimes necessary. Here are common situations when an experienced dentist will recommend an extraction:
When a Tooth is Severely Decayed
Tooth decay is a common, serious issue that affects natural teeth. It is caused by harmful bacteria that weaken the enamel, the strongest part of a natural tooth. Tooth decay causes a cavity, or hole, in a natural tooth, which worsens as harmful bacteria penetrate the tooth. It affects a tooth slowly and, if left untreated, could damage a substantial portion of it.
If you have severe tooth decay, and much of your natural tooth is damaged, it could be difficult to save the tooth. In this case, a skilled dentist can recommend extraction. This will stop the bacteria from spreading further to your tooth’s underlying structures and the adjacent teeth. It will also stop common symptoms of tooth decay, including toothaches and sensitivity.
When a Tooth is Severely Infected
Tooth infections or dental abscesses are painful localized collections of pus caused by bacterial infection in a tooth, gum, or tooth’s roots. It could happen due to an untreated cavity, cracked tooth, or gum disease. It results in severe symptoms like throbbing pain, swelling, sensitivity, and fever.
Tooth infections should be treated immediately when noticed to prevent them from spreading to other parts of the mouth and the body. In severe cases of tooth infection, dentists recommend extraction and removal of the infected pulp, the underlying structure of the tooth. This stops the infection and prevents it from spreading through the bloodstream.
When You Have Advanced Gum Disease
Gum disease is a serious condition that is caused by harmful bacteria. It inflames your gums, causing gum recession. The bacteria that start building up on the gumline deepen your gum pockets as they spread to the underlying structures, leaving your teeth exposed and without much support. Eventually, your teeth become wobbly and start falling out.
An untreated gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss today. Once your teeth start falling out due to the bacteria’s damage to the tissues and bones, it could be difficult to save them. When you visit your dentist, they may recommend extracting the affected tooth to treat the disease and prevent further tooth loss.
When Your Wisdom Teeth Become Impacted
Your wisdom teeth are usually the last to erupt, after all the other teeth have erupted and occupied the available space on the gums. Once they start developing and there is no space for them to erupt fully, they can become impacted. This can lead to pain and a serious infection.
An impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth that does not grow or erupt as it should. Instead, it remains trapped in the jawbone or gums. Dentists recommend the surgical removal of impacted teeth to manage your pain and stop the infection.
When You Have Orthodontic Crowding
This is a condition in which your jaw is insufficient to accommodate all your existing teeth. This results in twisted, overlapping, or misaligned teeth. Some people, due to hereditary factors, lack enough space in their jaws for all their fully developed teeth. Other people’s teeth are larger than normal and cannot fit well in the available space.
Overcrowding is a serious issue because it affects your oral hygiene habits and speech, and could cause serious issues like TMJ disorders. Mild to moderate crowding problems can be corrected with orthodontic treatments such as braces. However, your dentist may recommend extraction for severe crowding. In this case, they can remove some of your premolars to create space and allow proper jaw alignment.
If You Suffer Trauma or Tooth Fracture
A severe impact to your face, mouth, or directly to your teeth can fracture or break one or more of your teeth. When this happens, you should seek treatment immediately to save the affected teeth and manage the resulting pain. Sadly, if the fracture extends below the gum line, it may be difficult to save the tooth. If the tooth is left with such a fracture, it could eventually become infected, which is a serious problem that can affect your oral and general health. In that case, dentists recommend extracting the fractured tooth to manage your symptoms and prevent further complications.
If You Have a Medical Condition That Necessitates Extraction
Some medical conditions affect your teeth, leading to tooth loss or requiring extraction. For example, if you have cancer and have started cancer treatments, your immune system can become severely compromised, affecting your oral and general health. If one or more of your teeth become infected, a dentist may recommend immediate extraction to prevent systemic infections that could further compromise your health.
If You Have a Malpositioned or Supernumerary Tooth
If you visit your dentist with a wrongly positioned or extra tooth that could be affecting your biting, chewing, or speech, or causing you pain, they can recommend extraction.
Common Types of Tooth Extractions
California dentists offer different types of tooth extraction today. The type of extraction dentists recommend mainly depends on the tooth or its location that needs extraction. The most common ones include the following:
Simple Tooth Extractions
As the name suggests, these are easier to perform. Dentists use simple extraction for easy-to-access or visible teeth. A dentist will use an elevator to loosen the tooth and a forceps to remove it. You will need local anesthesia for pain and discomfort.
Surgical Tooth Extractions
These are performed on broken or fractured teeth, especially if the damage extends below the gumline. Dentists also perform surgical extractions on partially erupted teeth or fully impacted wisdom teeth. The extraction process entails making a minor incision in the gum to access the damaged or impacted tooth and then removing it in sections. This is a more serious invasive procedure that could take time. Therefore, anesthesia is necessary to prevent pain and keep you calm throughout the process.
The Extraction of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
This is a very specific procedure performed only on impacted wisdom teeth. Dentists perform surgical extractions on impacted wisdom teeth to extract them carefully. The extraction involves removing the impacted tooth, its roots, and the surrounding bone. It is an invasive procedure that requires anesthesia.
Tooth Root Removal or Sectioning
Dentists perform this type of extraction when a tooth breaks and a portion remains, especially below the gumline. In this case, they perform a surgical extraction of the remaining part or roots. Sometimes a dentist needs to divide the root into segments to facilitate easier, more effective removal.
Preparing for Tooth Extraction
You may not realize you need a tooth extraction until you visit a dentist’s office. However, there are signs that you may need an extraction, which you should be aware of. They include the following:
- Persistent pain and throbbing in a tooth or jaw
- Swollen gums and the surrounding part
- A severely loose or wobbly tooth
- A persistent tooth infection that does not clear even after root canal therapy or antibiotics
If you suspect that you may need an extraction, you should prepare well before visiting your dentist’s office. Prior preparation includes ensuring that your mouth is clean. Make sure to brush and floss your teeth well before the visit. This will make you and your dentist more comfortable during the dental examination and extraction.
If a minor (an individual younger than 18) needs an extraction, they must be accompanied to the dentist’s office by a parent or guardian. An adult can drive themselves to and from the dentist’s office if they are undergoing a simple extraction. If you have a surgical extraction, you may need someone to drive you home afterward.
Wear comfortable clothing to your dentist’s tooth extraction appointment. Dentists recommend loose-fitting clothing and clothes without a tight collar. Do not wear a tie or anything tight that could make you uncomfortable during the examination and extraction processes.
If you are on any medication, discuss it with your dentist before the procedure. Your dentist will take the necessary precautions if any of your medications will affect the procedure or interact with any medications they will offer after the procedure. For example, if you are on an anticoagulant medication, your dentist will ask you to stop taking it for the period before and after the extraction.
Tooth extractions are generally invasive, so they can be painful and uncomfortable. In this case, prepare well for nitrous oxide or anesthesia. If you are allergic to anesthesia, let your dentist know beforehand.
Although tooth extractions do not take long, you can have a light meal beforehand to make you more comfortable.
What To Expect During Tooth Extractions
Dentists perform different types of tooth extractions in different ways. If you need a simple tooth extraction, the procedure will take a few minutes. It starts with anesthesia for comfort, whereby the dentist applies local anesthesia to numb the treatment site. You will only feel a little pressure during the extraction, but not pain.
Once they are sure the treatment area is numb, the dentist will use an elevator to loosen the tooth, then a forceps to remove it. The removal process involves removing the tooth from its socket. It will only take a few minutes, or more if you need multiple teeth removed.
There will be bleeding after the extraction, which the dentist will manage using a cotton gauze. They will insert a gauze on the extraction site and ask you to bite down on it until the bleeding stops. The bleeding can last for a few hours after the extraction. Your dentist will ask you to change the cotton gauze after every thirty minutes to keep the site clean.
Expect bruising and swelling after a simple tooth extraction, which will resolve as the site heals. If there is swelling, your dentist will recommend using an ice pack for 20 minutes at a time to manage it.
Note that if the pain or swelling intensifies, you should see your dentist immediately, as this may indicate a complication.
Surgical extractions are more extensive than simple extractions. Therefore, you could be in the dentist’s office longer. They also start with anesthesia to numb the treatment site and keep you relaxed or sedated throughout the procedure.
The extraction process starts with the dentist cutting open the gum. Remember that surgical extractions are usually for impacted wisdom teeth or tooth roots that are still stuck below the gum line. An incision in the gum gives your oral surgeon access to the area below the gum to carefully remove the roots or impacted tooth. The dentist may divide an impacted tooth or roots into small fragments to facilitate extraction.
Once the extraction is done, the oral surgeon will clean the treatment site and use dissolvable stitches to close the incision. They will then use a cotton gauze to control the bleeding and encourage blood clot formation.
Caring for Your Tooth after a Tooth Extraction
After extraction, your dentist will send you home with a list of dos and don’ts to care for your tooth and the remaining teeth. They may include the following:
Taking Enough Rest
It is recommended to rest for 24 to 48 hours after a tooth extraction to allow the extraction site to heal naturally and completely. When resting, you avoid elevating blood pressure, which may lead to excessive bleeding and prolong your healing time. In that case, you will need to take a break from work and your regular activities for a day or two.
Managing Swelling
Remember that swelling after a tooth extraction is absolutely normal. However, it should not be excessive and should not last for more than one day. When you experience swelling, your dentist will recommend applying an ice pack to the outside of your face for a maximum of 20 minutes at a time.
Keeping Your Mouth Clean
Oral hygiene should continue after tooth extraction to clean your entire mouth, especially the extraction site. This discourages the growth of harmful bacteria that can result in cavities or gum disease. A bacterial infection at the extraction site can also be a serious concern, especially since it may affect your overall health. In addition to brushing and flossing your teeth daily, your dentist will recommend rinsing your mouth three to four times daily with warm, salty water.
Start with Soft Foods
You should be careful with what you eat, at least for the first two days after a tooth extraction. Dentists recommend sticking to soft foods and then introducing regular foods gradually. Some of the foods you should eat during that period include mashed potatoes, yogurt, scrambled eggs, and smoothies. Avoid hot foods and drinks, too, to avoid irritating the extraction site.
Take Your Recommended Medication
Your dentist will prescribe some medications after a tooth extraction, including antibiotics and pain relievers. It is important to take them as directed to avoid complications. If, after completing the dosage, you still experience pain, seek medical attention before refilling the medication over the counter.
Keep Your Head Elevated
Dentists also recommend elevating your head while sleeping for at least two days after a tooth extraction. This reduces swelling and bleeding, and makes your sleep more comfortable. You can prop your head on additional pillows until the bleeding significantly reduces or stops.
Know When To Call Your Dentist
Your dentist will explain when you should call or visit their office without hesitation. They include the following:
- When you experience persistent pain
- When the bleeding becomes excessive
- When you experience signs of an infection, like pain, fever, and chills
- When the swelling becomes severe
- When you experience signs of a dry socket
What To Avoid after a Tooth Extraction
In addition to the dos above, your dentist will also mention some things you should avoid to promote recovery and prevent complications after a tooth extraction. They include the following:
No Smoking or Vaping
Smoking or generally consuming tobacco delays your healing process after a dental procedure. If you are a regular smoker, your dentist will recommend quitting to promote your healing and recovery. It will protect you from having a dry socket, a painful dental condition that occurs when a protective blood clot fails to form or dislodges after a tooth extraction. The condition exposes the underlying nerves and bones, causing severe radiating pain, sometimes accompanied by a foul taste or bad odor.
No Using Straws
If you habitually use straws for drinks, your dentist will recommend avoiding straws until the extraction site heals completely. Suction pressure when using a straw can dislodge the protective blood clot at the extraction site. This will result in a painful dry socket.
Avoid Alcohol
Your dentist will also recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 7 days after a tooth extraction. Alcohol has elements that can hinder or prolong healing. Since alcohol generally thins blood, it may affect the clotting process, making it difficult for the extraction site to heal. This could result in excessive bleeding, a painful dry socket, and severely delayed healing. It can also increase your risk of oral infections.
Avoid Hard or Hot Foods
Hot or hard foods will further irritate the extraction site, making it more painful and prolonging the healing process. In that case, your dentist will recommend avoiding them at least until you are completely healed. Some foods you should avoid right after a tooth extraction include hard foods like nuts and crunchy foods like chips.
Avoid Strenuous Activities
While recommending rest for at least 2 days after a tooth extraction, your dentist will also encourage you to avoid strenuous activities. Any strain on your body can raise your blood pressure, leading to excessive bleeding in the extraction suite. In that case, do not engage in intense exercise or lift heavy loads within the first two or three days of the extraction.
Find an Experienced General Dentist near Me
If you experience severe pain, swelling, or have a loose tooth in Encino, you may need an extraction. A skilled dentist must examine your teeth, other teeth, gums, and jawbone to recommend the best treatment approach. If they cannot save a damaged tooth or an extraction is needed to prevent a dental issue from worsening, they will recommend it.
At The Encino Dentist, we recommend tooth extraction when necessary. We explain the situation, their other treatment options, and the benefits of extraction to help them make an informed decision. We also explain the extraction process to you to ensure you know what to expect during and after the treatment. Call us at 818-650-0429 if you suspect that you need a tooth extraction, and let us examine and recommend the right treatment.