When you have wisdom teeth soon to erupt, or one with major damage or infection, then to protect your smile as a whole we may need to remove it. A general tooth extraction can often protect and preserve your smile. In today’s blog, your Santa Rosa , CA, oral surgeons talk about how general extractions protect your smile.
When Teeth Need to Be Removed
When does a tooth need to be extracted from your smile? We could prescribe this for teeth too damaged to be repaired with a crown, or cases of decay or infection too severe to be addressed with a root canal. Leaving them in place could lead to the spread of infection and worsening pain! We also urge removal for teeth loosened by gum disease, or to aid in orthodontic treatment. We may remove them to improve bite balance too, or to prepare your smile for implant dentures. The most common reason is to prevent the eruption of wisdom teeth in a patient’s late teens and early 20s. These new molars could lead to issues like misalignment, infection, damaged teeth, and painful partial eruption known as impaction.
The Extraction Process
Our team can offer an extraction that is comfortable and effective. The procedure usually takes as little as 30 minutes. We first take detailed images of the smile with digital x-rays to identify the position of the tooth and plan the procedure. We then administer a local anesthesia and sedation to ensure you’re comfortable and relaxed as we remove the tooth with a pair of forceps. We then suture the area closed and a friend or family will take you home, along with aftercare instructions and prescriptions for necessary medications. You will then rest for a day, and avoid the use of straws too. You’ll need to eat soft foods and be careful when brushing and flossing. We can remove sutures in a follow-up visit.
What Happens Next?
For many, the procedure could leave a gap behind in your smile. But we can replace the missing teeth with dental implants, offering a durable and long-lasting option that looks natural too. We can address a single missing tooth or even support a complete set of dentures. If you have any questions about how we conduct tooth extraction, or about replacing missing teeth with implant dentistry, then contact our team today to learn more. We’re here to protect your smile with oral surgery!
Do You Have Questions About Our General Extractions?
We can offer a safe and comfortable tooth removal to protect your smile. If you would like to learn more about safeguarding smiles with oral surgery, then contact your Santa Rosa, CA, oral surgeons by calling 707-545-4625.
