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.
Brooklyn Dental Spa performs teeth extractions for various reasons, including:
Children might also benefit from teeth extractions if their baby teeth don’t fall out in time for their permanent teeth to come in.
Before removing a tooth, your Brooklyn Dental Spa 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.
Brooklyn Dental Spa performs several types of teeth extractions, including:
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.
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.
Following teeth extractions, many people experience mild swelling, increased sensitivity, and some discomfort. To encourage your body’s healing process, Brooklyn Dental Spa recommends:
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 Dental Spa by calling the office today or clicking the online scheduling tool.