Your permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime, but sometimes tooth extractions are necessary. This is particularly true if you develop a serious cavity or your wisdom teeth become impacted. The team at SEDA Dental with locations in Jupiter, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Pinecrest, and North Miami Beach, Florida, regularly provide tooth extractions for patients of all ages, from children to adults. If you’re concerned you may need a tooth extraction, make an appointment at SEDA Dental today by calling the office nearest you or by clicking the online booking tool.
Many teenagers and adults undergo wisdom teeth extractions, but there are several other reasons you might need to have a tooth extracted as well. At SEDA Dental, the team regularly does tooth extractions to treat:
Tooth decay
Tooth infection
Overcrowding
You might also benefit from a tooth extraction if you’re preparing to undergo an organ transplant or chemotherapy for cancer. Both of these procedures can compromise the health of your teeth and gums. Extractions beforehand can help reduce your risk of complications.
Before performing a tooth extraction, your SEDA Dental provider does an oral exam, reviews your medical history, and takes a series of X-rays. During this appointment, make sure to tell your dentist about any prescription medications, vitamins, or supplements you take.
You should also tell your dentist if you have a chronic condition such as:
Diabetes
A congenital heart defect
Thyroid disease
High blood pressure
An impaired immune system
Depending on your health, your dentist might recommend holding off an extraction until you’ve addressed these issues.
At SEDA Dental, the team performs two different types of tooth extractions:
Simple extractions
Prior to a simple extraction, your dentist administers a local anesthetic to numb your tooth roots and gums. Once the anesthesia sets in, your dentist uses a tool called an elevator to lift your tooth and a pair of forceps to carefully pull it out.
Surgical extractions
If you have an impacted tooth or a tooth with deep decay, you might need a surgical extraction. Prior to a surgical extraction, your dentist administers a local anesthetic. If you have a low pain tolerance or your gums are sensitive, the team might also recommend IV sedation.
Once you’re comfortable, your dentist makes a small incision across your gums, revealing your impacted tooth and jawbone. Your dentist carefully removes the bone around your tooth, cuts your tooth into pieces, and removes the pieces one at a time using forceps.
Following your tooth extraction, your SEDA Dental provider sends you home with a list of recovery instructions. In the first 24-48 hours after your procedure, it’s perfectly normal to experience some pain, swelling, and general discomfort. To speed up the recovery process, the team at SEDA Dental recommends:
Applying an ice pack directly to your cheek
Taking your medications as prescribed
Using pillows to prop up your head
Brushing and flossing, but avoiding your extraction site
You should also quit smoking and avoid using straws for at least 24 hours. Within a week’s time, you should feel back to normal.
If you have a tooth that’s bothering you, request a tooth extraction consultation at SEDA Dental today by calling the office nearest you or by clicking the online booking tool.
