Tooth Extraction: Procedure, Types, And Recovery | Dental Spa In Miami Florida, 33138
Tooth extraction is an extremely common procedure that involves the physical removal of an unwanted tooth from its socket. Most people want to retain their natural teeth for a lifetime, and the prospect of losing a tooth can be traumatic. Most dentists try their best to save your teeth, but, in some cases, tooth extraction may become necessary, especially if the damaged or infected tooth places your overall health at risk. Leaving an infected or severely damaged tooth in place can increase the risk of the infection spreading to other teeth, so tooth extraction may be necessary.
In some cases, tooth extraction might also be necessary as a routine procedure, especially for wisdom tooth extraction. The wisdom teeth are the final molars located at the back of the mouth. They’re considered to be vestigial organs because they don’t serve any actual function or purpose. In fact, the wisdom teeth often hurt your healthy teeth — they might erupt at unhealthy angles, placing pressure on the surrounding teeth or your gums. In those situations, it might be better to remove the wisdom tooth before it can cause damage.
In this article, we discuss the tooth extraction procedure, the types of tooth extractions, recovery guidelines, and where you can find a reliable tooth extraction dentist near me.
Reasons You May Need Tooth Extraction:
- You have severe tooth decays and cavities
- The cavities have spread into the roots of your teeth
- Your tooth is severely fractured or damaged
- Your tooth is partially stuck under the gum line
- You have overcrowded teeth
- One of your teeth must be removed before an orthodontic procedure
- You have severe gum disease or periodontitis
- You notice signs of a dental abscess in a tooth
- Your wisdom tooth is impacted
- Your wisdom tooth may damage the surrounding teeth
Types of Tooth Extraction
Simple Extraction
A simple extraction is the easiest and least invasive tooth extraction technique. The tooth extraction dentist uses an elevator device to widen the socket of the unwanted tooth, following which the tooth is pulled out using forceps. This procedure doesn’t involve an extended recovery period — you can resume most of your normal dietary habits in a day or two.
Surgical Extraction
A surgical extraction is a more complex dental procedure suitable for patients with impacted or broken teeth. If your tooth is stuck under the gum line, fractured, or broken, the dentist will have to remove it one piece at a time. The dentist will have to cut into the surrounding bone tissues, cut the tooth into small pieces, and remove them piecemeal.
Who Performs Dental Extractions?
A general dentist or an oral surgeon can perform dental extractions. A simple extraction is generally performed by a general dentist, but general dentists might perform your surgical extraction with specialized training in oral surgery.
What to Tell Your Dentist Before You Have a Tooth Pulled?
Before tooth extraction, please inform your dentist about your medical history and medication usage. You need to tell them if you’re a smoker or have a history of drug use and provide a list of all the medications you’re taking currently or have taken in the recent past. Some medications and drugs increase the risk of bleeding after oral surgery, so you need to give them all the information they need.
What Happens During a Tooth Extraction?
The tooth extraction procedure is performed as a simple, in-office procedure under local anesthesia, with or without intravenous sedation, depending on your comfort level. After administering local anesthesia around the targeted tooth, the dentist will perform a simple or surgical extraction of the tooth. If you need to undergo a surgical extraction, the dentist will make small incisions around the tooth, cut the underlying bone tissues, cut the tooth into smaller pieces, and then remove the entire tooth one piece at a time.
Tooth Extraction Recovery
After removing the tooth completely, the dentist will suture the incisions closed, following which an antiseptic gauze will be placed on the extraction site to facilitate blood clot formation. You need to apply firm, steady pressure over the antiseptic gauze to slow down bleeding and help blood clot formation, which minimizes the risk of dry sockets. You can return home immediately after your dental extraction procedure, but please follow your dentist’s guidelines. You may continue experiencing light bleeding for up to 24 hours.
The Dental Extraction Cost
The cost of your dental extraction procedure is hard to summarize without an evaluation. The specific cost of tooth extraction depends on numerous factors, such as the type of extraction, whether you need intravenous or oral sedation, the location of the tooth, and whether you get bone grafts after tooth extraction to preserve the underlying jawbone. Your dentist will discuss your goals, curate a personalized treatment plan, and provide a detailed overview of the dental extraction cost.
Will My Insurance Cover My Tooth Extraction?
Most medical insurance plans cover major oral surgeries, including tooth extractions, to some extent. The extent of coverage will depend on your unique needs and insurance plans. Please talk to your dentist about your insurance coverage options.
Tooth Extraction Dentist Near Me
Sunny Isles Dental is a state-of-the-art dental clinic led by some of the most talented dentists in Sunny Isles Beach and Wilton Manors, FL. Our dentists specialize in oral surgery and the most effective dental procedures, ensuring optimal results without complications. Please schedule an appointment with the tooth extraction dentist near me for more information.
