Tooth Extractions Brenham
Ensuring Better Oral Health by Removing Damaged Teeth
Once your permanent teeth erupt, they are meant to remain firmly in place for the rest of your life. However, problems can arise that result in a change of plans – the kind that requires tooth removal. Although it is never our first choice to extract any natural teeth, our dentists know that certain cases require this procedure if better oral health is to be achieved. If that’s the case for you, trust that we will make sure you remain safe and comfortable during your time in the treatment chair while also discussing reliable options for tooth replacement. To learn more about tooth extractions in Brenham, schedule an appointment with us or read on!
Why Choose Smile Keepers for Tooth Extractions?
- Comfort-Focused Dentistry with Three Methods of Sedation
- Dentists Treat Brenham Patients of All Ages
- Three Safe & Effective Tooth Replacement Solutions
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
Our dentists at Smile Keepers will recommend tooth extraction if:
- A badly decayed tooth cannot be treated with the help of a root canal.
- Advanced gum disease causes recession as well as bone loss, which results in one or more teeth becoming loose.
- You need braces to address overcrowding, but need appropriate space for teeth to shift and align properly.
- You require custom prosthetics, and your remaining teeth are at risk of falling out.
- You have a child whose baby tooth will not come out on its own, and their permanent tooth cannot erupt.
- Dental trauma caused by sports or another form of excessive pressure results in badly damaged teeth being unsavable.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
The process will look a little different depending on whether the tooth in question is above or below the gumline. If it is trapped underneath, then we will need to make a small incision in the gums, remove the tooth section by section, and tend to the extraction site. If it has already broken through the gumline, however, then we can simply rock it loose until it’s ready to be removed. In both cases, the first step is to numb your mouth thoroughly. So, you don’t have to worry – you won’t feel any pain during your time in the treatment chair.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Before you leave, your emergency dentist in Brenham will provide you with a list of aftercare instructions so you can heal comfortably at home, including:
- Changing the gauze as needed
- Eating only extremely soft foods
- Drinking plenty of water (without a straw)
- Using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time
- Taking prescribed or OTC pain medication as directed
- Keeping your head elevated, including while you sleep
If you have any questions for us about tooth extractions, then don’t hesitate to take the next step: get in touch with our team at Smile Keepers! We’d be happy to provide the answers you’re looking for and schedule an appointment at our office to get your oral health back on track.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Is there an alternative to a tooth extraction?
It’s normal to wonder whether there are alternative services that can potentially improve your dental health before proceeding with an extraction. For instance, in many cases, undergoing a root canal and placing a dental crown can be an effective way to alleviate toothaches and restore injured teeth.
However, this treatment is often recommended as a last resort when our team has already determined that no other options can sufficiently repair the damage or improve your dental condition. Furthermore, if you have problematic wisdom teeth, removal may be the only way to prevent potential problems, like discomfort, infection, impaction, or overcrowding.
Do tooth extractions usually hurt?
Our compassionate team understands that many patients feel nervous when it comes to tooth extractions, but rest assured, we will do everything we can to help you feel comfortable throughout your procedure. For example, we’ll numb the area with a local anesthetic before getting started so that you might sense pressure while we work, but shouldn’t feel pain.
We also offer multiple options for sedation, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), which is inhaled through a mask placed over your nose, oral conscious medications taken as a pill, or IV sedation that is administered directly to your blood stream, so you don’t have to worry about discomfort until after your appointment.
Then, it’s normal to feel sore and swollen for a few days after your extraction, but this usually resolves itself gradually and can be addressed with over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you develop persistent or worsening pain that lasts a week or more, please contact our office in Brenham so we can ensure that you’re recovering as intended.
Can I leave the space empty after my procedure?
Some patients who are hoping to avoid another procedure or want to reduce potential out-of-pocket expenses wonder whether it’s okay to leave the space empty after their troublesome tooth is removed, especially if it’s located in the back of their mouth where no one is likely to see it.
But your remaining teeth are prone to shifting out of alignment to close the gap, which can contribute to additional concerns. For instance, you might wear down your enamel unevenly or prematurely and get cavities or sustain injuries. You could also develop a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder or discomfort. Our team typically recommends replacing your extracted tooth sooner rather than later to avoid these complications.
What are the options for replacing my recently removed tooth?
You’re not alone if you’re wondering how to rebuild your smile after your procedure. Our practice offers three treatment options, outlined in more detail below:
- This is the tried-and-true solution for tooth loss, and partial sets can sometimes be used to refurbish individual teeth.
- Dental bridges. These oral appliances contain the needed number of teeth positioned between a dental crown at each end, which are cemented over abutment teeth or dental implants on either side of the gap in your grin.
- Dental implants. These are the only replacements that are surgically positioned in your jaw and eventually fuse with the bone, and then are capped with an appropriate restoration, such as a customized dental crown.
Our team is happy to make a professional recommendation based on your unique circumstances.