What are teeth extractions?
A tooth extraction is an outpatient procedure that removes a permanent tooth from its socket. Your natural teeth should last a lifetime, but sometimes the only way to preserve your oral health is with an extraction.
Why are teeth extractions performed?
Brooklyn City Dental performs teeth extractions for various reasons, including:
- Deep decay
- Infection
- Trauma or injury
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Orthodontic treatment
- Crowding
Children might also benefit from teeth extractions if their baby teeth don’t fall out in time for their permanent teeth to come in.
How do I prepare for teeth extractions?
Before removing a tooth, your Brooklyn City Dental provider reviews your oral health history and asks about your symptoms, including their severity, when they started, and if any activities like biting or chewing make them worse. Next, your provider takes X-rays to assess the length, shape, and position of your tooth as well as the surrounding bone.
If you have a chronic medical condition like diabetes or heart disease, let your provider know during the initial consultation. These issues won’t prevent you from undergoing extractions, but they may increase the risk of complications, so monitoring and managing them is important.
What do teeth extractions involve?
Brooklyn City Dental performs several types of teeth extractions, including:
Simple teeth extractions
If you have a tooth above the gum line and is easy to access, your provider conducts a simple extraction. They numb your mouth with a local anesthetic, carefully loosen your tooth, and remove it.
Surgical teeth extractions
If you have a tooth that cannot break through the gum line due to crowding or another issue, your provider conducts a surgical extraction. After numbing your mouth, they make an incision in your gums, separate your tooth into sections, and remove each section one at a time. They fill the socket with clean gauze and provide care instructions.
What is recovery like following teeth extractions?
Following teeth extractions, many people experience mild swelling, increased sensitivity, and some discomfort. To encourage your body’s healing process, Brooklyn City Dental recommends:
- Eating only soft foods for 24-48 hours
- Brushing and flossing gently
- Chewing and biting softer than usual
- Taking an over-the-counter painkiller
- Applying an ice pack to your cheek
In addition, avoid drinking from a straw for at least a week to prevent a painful dry socket.
If you have questions about teeth extractions, make an appointment at Brooklyn City Dental by calling the office today or clicking the online scheduling tool.
718-557-9771
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