Our dentists at Citrus Smiles focus on preserving your natural teeth and smile for life. However, if a tooth is severely carious or damaged and cannot be saved with dental restorations, it may become a threat to your oral health. In that case, we may schedule an appointment for a tooth extraction in Murphy, Wylie, Heath and Lucas TX,. Dr. Aurora is a qualified dentist who has years of experience performing this procedure with little to no discomfort, so you can rest assured that your care is in capable hands.
Common Indications for Tooth Extraction
One of our main goals is to save your natural teeth and keep them healthy for as long as possible. But in certain cases, saving a damaged tooth may risk the health of other teeth. Common reasons why our dentists may suggest dental extractions include:
- Severe tooth decay: If a tooth is grossly carious and cannot be saved, removing it may be a better option to prevent damage to other teeth.
- Loose or mobile teeth: In older patients or patients with gum disease, a few teeth may become loose and necessitate extraction.
- Dental injury: A high-impact injury during sports or an accident can severely damage a tooth, requiring emergency removal.
- Impacted teeth: If your wisdom teeth or canines remain impacted in the jawbone, they will need to be surgically removed.
- Orthodontic treatment: As a part of orthodontic treatment planning, we may extract certain teeth to correct misalignment.
What To Expect When Getting A Tooth Extraction
At the time of your initial consultation, we will assess the damaged tooth and take dental X-rays to examine it in detail. We understand that most people feel nervous or anxious before getting a tooth extraction. Rest assured that we use the most effective techniques to make the procedure as comfortable and painless as possible.
We will first numb the tooth and its surrounding region with a local anesthetic. Once the area is completely numb, our dentist will use an instrument to gently loosen the tooth within its socket. This makes it easier to extract the tooth with forceps without using excessive force.
We will then place a gauze at the extraction site to control bleeding. You will be given detailed instructions after the procedure for proper recovery.
How Long Does Recovery Take
The healing period after a simple tooth extraction may last for 10 to 14 days. However, you will be able to resume your routine activities soon after the procedure. It is crucial to follow the aftercare guidelines properly to avoid any complications.
If you had a surgical extraction, the recovery period may last longer. This is because it takes time for the bone and gums to heal after a surgical process. Complete recovery may take 3 to 4 weeks.