Important Things You Should Know About Dental Extraction In Miami
Dental extraction might sound scary, but tooth removal is usually a painless and comfortable procedure with minimal side effects. Most people assume tooth extraction is painful because of rumours and cultural representations in films. But in most cases, if you visit a reliable dentist or oral surgeon, the entire front tooth extraction can be performed within 30 to 60 minutes and with minimal discomfort. Sure, you might have mild soreness and discomfort after the procedure, but that can be managed with pain medications. You may have several questions if you’re about to undergo a tooth extraction procedure. Below, we answer the most important questions about tooth extraction care.
Why Do You Need To Have A Tooth Removed?
You may need to undergo a dental extraction for a wide range of reasons, such as severely damaged teeth, severe dental decay, normal wear-and-tear, gum disease, deep cavities, dental fractures, severe facial trauma, and impacted wisdom teeth. Some patients also need to have a tooth removed before orthodontic treatments. Below, we highlight some of the most common reasons to undergo dental extraction.
Impacted Wisdom Tooth
Upper wisdom tooth extraction is one of the most common types. The wisdom teeth are the final molars located at the back of the mouth and usually erupt in your late teens or early twenties. By the time your wisdom teeth erupt, your jaws are usually fully formed, so they might not have enough space to erupt properly. If the wisdom tooth erupts at an awkward or difficult angle, it can damage your gum tissues, surrounding teeth, and overall oral health. The wisdom tooth doesn’t serve any real function, so your dentist may perform a wisdom tooth extraction to prevent future complications.
Tooth Decay
Severe tooth decay is one of the most common (and avoidable) reasons for dental extractions. The accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth and gum line leads to increased proliferation of harmful bacteria, which can damage your gum tissues and enamel. The bacteria may start eating away at the enamel, leading to a cavity, which can usually be treated with simple fillings at the initial stages. But if you don’t go for regular dental cleanings, you might not realize you have cavities until they reach the root canal, which would necessitate a root canal therapy. But if you still don’t seek treatment or avoid the symptoms, you may eventually need a dental extraction to prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth.
Dental Injuries
Emergency dental extraction might be necessary because of severe dental injuries and trauma. If you sustain a severe dental injury that fractures your tooth, you may need to have it removed. If the fracture is minor or surface-level, the dentist can probably fix your tooth using dental fillings, crowns, or onlays/ inlays. But if the fracture extends to the root or splits the tooth in half, you will need to have the damaged tooth removed. If the fractured tooth isn’t removed, you may suffer from serious bacterial infections. You must also seek treatment immediately. Some dental fractures seem mild, but the majority of the fracture might lie underneath. That’s why you must contact an emergency dentist when you experience a severe dental injury.
Overcrowded Teeth
Some people have overcrowded teeth when their jawbone isn’t large enough to support all of the teeth. If you have overcrowded and crooked teeth, you have a higher risk of cavities and dental infections. While undergoing orthodontic treatment to straighten your smile, your dentist may ask you to have one or two teeth removed. Once the extra teeth are removed, your jaw will have enough space for all the remaining teeth, making effective orthodontic treatment possible. Please contact your dentist or oral surgeon to determine if you need dental extraction for overcrowded teeth before your orthodontic treatment.
Why Is My Extraction Site Sharp?
After simple extractions or surgical extractions, the bone fragment might feel sharp to the touch, as if it’s an uncomfortable object creating pressure on your gums. This is perfectly normal. Your body naturally expels the stray bone pieces from the extraction site to facilitate natural healing.
Is Dry Socket Common?
Approximately 2% to 5% of all patients undergoing dental extraction suffer from dry sockets, a condition wherein the dislodging of the blood clot at the extraction site can lead to severe pain and discomfort. If you follow all of the dentist’s tooth extraction aftercare guidelines, you won’t experience a dry socket.
What If My Extraction Site Really Hurts?
If your tooth extraction site hurts, you can take pain medications to lower discomfort. The pain and swelling should dissipate after a few days. But if the pain continues or becomes severe, you can contact your dentist or oral surgeon for an evaluation.
What To Do For Tooth Extraction Pain Relief?
If you experience tooth extraction pain, you can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. NSAIDs should provide almost instant tooth extraction pain relief.
Schedule An Appointment With A Dentist Or Oral Surgeon In Miami Today
Sunny Isles Beach is a state-of-the-art and luxurious dental clinic specializing in the latest and safest techniques for dental extractions. Our general dentists and oral surgeons specialize in simple extractions and surgical extractions, and they only recommend tooth extraction when absolutely necessary. You can find our dental clinic at Sunny Isles Beach or Wilton Manors, FL. Please schedule an appointment with a dentist or oral surgeon to explore your dental extraction options.