No one wants to undergo a tooth extraction unless there are no other options for this procedure. This is why dentists frequently hear, “Do I really need this tooth extraction?” Actually, your dentist prefers restoring teeth, whenever possible. Using dental crowns, fillings and dental veneers is certainly more rewarding to a dental professional, than having to extract a tooth. Unfortunately, there are times when patients of Carolina Dental Arts have no other options, besides extraction of their damaged or decayed tooth.

Why extract my teeth?

Below are some situations in which tooth extraction is often necessary.

After an Accident

Being in an accident is traumatic. It can also cause trauma to your teeth, beyond other injuries like whiplash or a broken limb. In these circumstances, immediate attention at an emergency dentist is frequently required.

The first consideration of an emergency dentist is to consider whether tooth restoration is possible. If a dental crown, dental veneer, bonding, or other methods will work to save the tooth, they pursue that option first. Sometimes, these options will not suffice and tooth extraction is the only possibility.

What is considered a dental emergency?

• Broken or cracked tooth
• Extreme tooth pain
• A loose tooth
• Knocked-out tooth
• Loss of a filling
• Gum swelling associated with a tooth
• Emergency issues concerning metal braces.
• Emergency root canal
• Emergency tooth extraction

Infection

Dental infection is a major health concern. You should never take the symptoms lightly, including:

• Intense discomfort around the tooth
• Difficulty biting down
• Pain when chewing
• Problems carrying on with daily tasks
• Fever

Visit your dentist at the earliest signs of a toothache or infection. In many cases, treatment can resolve the infection before it worsens. But if it continues and you experience intense pain, you will probably need a tooth extraction.

High Cost of Restoration

Carolina Dental Arts in Goldsboro and Raleigh is an in-network provider for a vast array of insurance plans and PPOs. But when a patient does not have insurance or cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs for a root canal, some prefer tooth extraction. After extraction, you can choose when to replace your tooth once the surgical site heals. Meanwhile, you get rid of the problem tooth and infection.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth extracted by their Carolina Dental Arts dentist. Some people have wisdom teeth that do not become impacted behind third molars. Others do not have any wisdom teeth, at all.

However, many teens and young adults experience pain in the back of their mouths at the upper jaw. When they visit the dentist, they learn that they have impacted wisdom teeth. The only course of action for these blocked teeth that cannot grow straight into place is to extract them. Otherwise, they push existing teeth out of alignment, cause pain and can also cause infection.

Tooth Extraction Process

Many patients fear the tooth extraction process, thanks in part to movies and television shows. But these dramatic representations are not generally realistic. There is no reason to fear your oral surgery, particularly with an experienced dentist taking care of you. You will receive helpful medications and anesthesia to make the process easier and more comfortable. Besides, after your problem tooth is gone, you will feel much better than you do with a toothache, sensitivity, infection or other irritation.

Your Carolina Dental Arts professionals offer sedation dentistry. We provide the proper methods of sedation to keep you comfortable during tooth extraction. These methods include:

• Nitrous oxide
• Injected local anesthetic
• IV anesthesia
• Prescribed medication
• General anesthesia

You may receive a medication prescription for a relaxant to take before coming into the dental office for your tooth extraction. This medication helps you relax and reduces anxiety. You will also receive an injection of local anesthetic at the extraction site. Other types of anesthesia and nitrous oxide are used as needed on an individual basis.

For a tooth grown in straight and visible above the gum line, the extraction typically removes the tooth in one piece. If the tooth is impacted, the procedure is more complicated. This involves cutting the gum tissue around the tooth and possibly cutting away some of the bone to remove the tooth. Your tooth may come out in one piece or multiple pieces removed one at a time.

Extraction Recovery

After your extraction, you will experience soreness and swelling for several days. Taking ibuprofen or other pain medication as directed relieves the discomfort. You can also use an ice pack on your face at the region of the tooth extraction. After the surgery, you need to eat only soft foods and liquids. Great options for your meals include:

• Jell-o
• Yogurt
• Applesauce
• Mashed potatoes
• Other soft foods you do not have to chew

After several days you can start adding regular foods back into your diet. It is important to ensure the extraction site is healed well enough before doing so, however.

Do you need a tooth extraction?

If you suspect you need a tooth extraction or restoration, visit your dentist at Carolina Dental Arts in Goldsboro or Raleigh, North Carolina. Through a comprehensive dental exam and X-rays, we can provide a clear diagnosis and treatment plan. Schedule your next visit today.