A dental tooth extraction is the removal of the tooth from the socket in your jawbone.
Whenever possible, it's best to keep your natural teeth. Advances in dentistry have made it easier to treat decay, infections, and other problems that might have required a tooth to be removed in the past. However, there are still times when an extraction is the best option for your oral health. A tooth may need to come out if it's severely damaged, badly decayed, or infected beyond repair. Wisdom teeth are another common reason for an extraction, particularly when they don't have enough room to grow properly or begin causing problems for the surrounding teeth.
A tooth extraction involves carefully removing the tooth from its socket in the jawbone. While the thought of having a tooth pulled might make you nervous, modern dental techniques and anesthesia can help make the procedure more comfortable.
At Northside Dental, we won't recommend removing a tooth without first considering whether it can be saved. If an extraction is necessary, we'll explain why, walk you through the procedure, and discuss what to expect during recovery. We also understand that you may have concerns about discomfort, costs, or finding time for treatment. Our staff is happy to answer your questions and help you make a decision you're comfortable with.
To schedule an appointment, call Northside Dental at 317-342-9446 or visit our office at 15026 Greyhound Ct., Carmel, IN 46032.
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The Most Common Reasons for A Tooth Extraction
- Wisdom Teeth- Wisdom teeth most often erupt in our late teens or early twenties. Sometimes they will grow in straight and do not shift teeth. In most cases, wisdom teeth erupt crooked and then start pushing your other teeth, causing a misalignment. Northside Dental extracts wisdom teeth quite often, whether they have erupted or if they have remained impacted underneath the gum line. It is often recommended to have your wisdom teeth extracted as soon as possible. Even if your wisdom teeth have fully grown in and have caused no issues, they can cause you trouble in the future because they become more susceptible to infection in later years.
- Infection- In the middle of every natural tooth, there is a soft, living tissue that is connected to the nerves of our tooth. This soft tissue is called the pulp of the tooth. When the decay gets into the tooth’s pulp, the pulp then becomes infected. Infected or damaged pulp can cause some serious toothaches and sharp pains in your tooth. This type of infected tooth can usually be saved by us performing a root canal. A root canal is a procedure in which we drill into the natural tooth and remove the infected pulp from the tooth. Once the pulp is removed, the empty chamber is filled with a composite filling and then sealed with either a resin or a dental crown. Every year, millions of teeth are saved from extraction with root canal therapy. If a root canal procedure will not fix the infection and the tooth cannot be saved, the tooth must be extracted. The reason for a tooth extraction is to diminish and remove the pain from the infection and to also stop the infection from spreading to your jawbone.
- Decay or Trauma- Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and when an accident involves a tooth it can result in extreme pain from the trauma. Usually, Northside Dental can repair a damaged tooth by using a filling to fill in the cracks or fractures that were caused by the trauma. The cracks need to be filled to prevent any infection from starting and to prevent any decay. If a filling will not work, we may use a dental crown. A dental crown is used to cover the entire tooth. It is usually made of ceramic, porcelain, or a metal material that is used to cover the entire tooth from just above the gum line.
- Gum Disease- One of the leading causes of natural tooth loss, aside from infection, decay, or trauma, is periodontal disease, or gum disease. This is when there is an excessive amount of plaque or tartar built up around the gum line. When there is this buildup around the teeth’s gum line, the gums start to pull away from your teeth, creating pockets of empty space that also will become infected. This is when you notice your gums have become swollen and bleed often. If the gum disease is left untreated, the connective tissue that holds onto your teeth will start to lose its grip on your teeth. Your teeth will start to loosen up on their own, and we may need to extract them to avoid the discomfort and pain you may be feeling, as well as to stymie advancing infection.
How Do We Perform a Tooth Extraction?
- Simple Procedure: We begin by administering a local anesthetic to numb the surrounding areas. Next, we will loosen your tooth and then easily extract it using a dental tool called an elevator. This procedure is done when the tooth that must be extracted has grown well above the gum line for easy access. We will use dental tools to loosen the tooth and lift it up and out of the gum line for a clean extraction. You bite on some gauze for a short period to stop the bleeding, and the tooth extraction is completed.
- Surgical Procedure: A surgical extraction is a little more complicated procedure since it requires us to surgically cut into the gum line to remove the tooth. This is usually necessary during an impacted wisdom tooth extraction or if your tooth has broken off below the gum line. We will use a local anesthetic again to take away any discomfort felt during these types of extractions. We can also talk about additional sedation, such as Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas), to address your anxiety and calm your nerves before and during the procedure. We may need to complete the surgery with the addition of a few sutures and then will provide you with some aftercare instructions.
Your Comfort and Your Care
At Northside Dental, we know that finding time for dental appointments can be difficult, especially when you have a busy schedule. We do our best to offer convenient appointment times and make each visit as comfortable and efficient as possible. Whether you're coming in for routine care or a specific dental concern, our team is here to help you get the treatment you need. We want to be a dental office that you and your family can rely on for years to come, and we look forward to welcoming you into our practice. Call Northside Dental at 317-342-9446 to schedule an appointment, or visit us at 15026 Greyhound Ct., Carmel, IN 46032.