Tooth Extractions Can Restore Your Oral Health
What You Need To Know About Tooth Extractions
What is a tooth extraction?
Tooth extraction is a very common dental procedure in Baton Rouge, LA and throughout the USA. Most often, tooth extraction procedures are needed to remove a tooth that has become extensively decayed or damaged.
However, wisdom teeth, or 3rd molars that become impacted may require extraction. Often, extracting a severely damaged tooth can help alleviate pain and discomfort.
Fortunately, Dr. Robin Levy and Dr. Steven Vutera are experienced in oral surgery in Baton Rouge, LA. Following the extraction of a decayed or damaged tooth, it is essential to replace the tooth.
To point out, patients with extensive tooth decay have likely suffered bone loss. Dr. Levy and Dr. Vutera can provide a custom treatment plan that includes the removal of decay, and the replacement of missing teeth.
We offer several tooth replacement options at our Baton Rouge dentist office. Additionally, we use the most advanced dental technology in Baton Rouge, to ensure optimal patient comfort and efficiency.
The high-quality restorations will restore the form and function of your mouth. missing bone with a bone grafting procedure, followed by a restoration.
Why a Tooth Extraction
Our primary goal is to preserve your natural teeth. We may use white tooth fillings, crowns to repair decayed or damaged teeth.
If necessary, a root canal may be performed to save your tooth. Unfortunately, some teeth are beyond repair or may cause misalignment or other complications.
You may need a tooth extraction if:
Your teeth are overcrowded, resulting in misalignment.
You have an infected tooth that we could not successfully treat with a filling or root canal therapy
One of your teeth is decayed beyond repair.
You need one or more wisdom teeth removed.
Benefits of a Tooth Extraction Procedure
Our priority is the preservation of your natural dental tissue and teeth. However, pulling a tooth is sometimes the best means of removing oral diseases.
By undergoing a tooth extraction procedure at our practice, you can expect to experience:
- A Brighter, More Attractive Smile
Advanced decay and damage often require extraction. Once the compromised tooth is removed, you will need to restore the tooth.
- Prevention
The removal of wisdom teeth is often performed to prevent teeth crowding, infection, and other issues. If you have a severely decayed tooth, extraction can also prevent infection of surrounding teeth.
- Relief
Issues requiring tooth extraction are frequently painful. Possibly, a tooth extraction will provide immediate relief.
- Comfortable Care
Local anesthesia is available for your comfort. Also, sedation is available for patients who experience dental anxiety.
- Candidacy For Orthodontics
If your teeth are too crowded, we may recommend extracting one or more teeth to make room for neighboring teeth.
Types of Tooth Extraction Procedures
The type of tooth extraction procedure may depend on whether the tooth is fully erupted or partially or fully impacted. Our Baton Rouge dentists, will do a complete oral examination of your mouth.
Typically, the exam will include dental x-rays to view the conditions of the root and surrounding area below the gums. If left in place, a damaged tooth could lead to further complications, such as infection to adjacent teeth.
Similarly, an impacted tooth may may continue to cause discomfort and problems for healthy teeth. The most common types of extractions include:
Simple Tooth Extraction Procedure
Simple tooth extraction is a common dental procedure. While many dentists perform simple extractions, it is important to utilize experienced dentists.
Simple extractions require the tooth to be visible and can be grasped with dental forceps. Simple extractions are less invasive than surgical extractions.
Generally, damaged, decayed, and infected teeth are not impacted. Therefore, a decayed tooth that has completely erupted and cannot be saved with a restoration may only need a simple extraction.
Once the entire tooth has been removed, we will close up the incisions using dissolvable stitches.
Surgical Tooth Extraction
Surgical tooth extractions are necessary for teeth that are impacted or otherwise not easy to remove. An impacted tooth is one that never erupts through the surface of the gums.
A difficult tooth may be obstructed by bone that needs to be removed.
Generally, the dentist will review a patient’s digital x-rays to see what conditions exist behind the gums. In some cases, we may need to break the tooth into several pieces before removing it.
After removal, our doctor will clean the area and may suture it closed as needed to allow for healing.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth or third molars are the four permanent teeth in the back corner of your mouth. It is not uncommon for a patient to have fewer than four wisdom teeth.
Undoubtedly, wisdom teeth need room to grow. If not, the patient may have impacted wisdom teeth.
An impacted wisdom tooth likely needs to be removed. However, a wisdom teeth that have erupted normally are free from extraction.
Often, patients do not brush and floss their wisdom teeth as well as the rest of their teeth. As a result, gum disease and decay may develop to the wisdom teeth, as well as adjacent teeth.
In some cases, we may need to break the tooth into several pieces before removing it. This is commonly required with wisdom teeth.
With the wisdom tooth removed, the potential threat of infection is eliminated. Our doctors may refer some wisdom tooth extractions to an oral surgeon in Baton Rouge.
After Tooth Extraction Procedure
After you have one or more teeth pulled, you should avoid drinking through a straw until the dentist approves. You should also avoid alcoholic beverages and mouthwashes containing alcohol.
Additionally, limit your physical activity for a few days so you do not agitate the empty socket.
Sometimes, patients may experience some swelling and bruising. This is normal, however it should subside in a few days.
Patients can use ice packs to help reduce possible swelling. If needed, the doctor may provide pain medication to minimize discomfort.
Post-Operative Instructions for a Simple Extraction
This video shows you what to expect after a surgical extraction, as well as how to ensure proper healing.
Post-Operative Instructions for a Surgical Extraction
Care instructions on how to ensure proper healing of a wisdom tooth that has been surgically removed.
Get In Touch
Contact our dental office today!
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- Address
- 6509 Government St, Ste A Baton Rouge, LA 70806
- Number
- (225) 924-1824
- Email
- info@levyvuteradental.com
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