Gary R. Woodall DDS, MAGD wants you to keep all of your teeth for your entire life, of course. However, there are times when, for practical reasons and to preserve your oral health, he may need to extract one or more of your teeth.
When a patient might need a tooth extraction
- Wisdom teeth – our third molars erupt late in life and have a tendency to cause problems with our other teeth or become impacted, which can be very painful. Extracting them is usually the best option.
- Overcrowding – If there isn’t enough space in your mouth to comfortably accommodate all of your teeth, Dr. Woodall may recommend extracting one or several as part of a broader treatment plan.
- Preparing for orthodontics – If you or your child is about to embark on an orthodontic journey, it may be necessary to extract one or more teeth prior to treatment for the best possible outcome.
- Damage or trauma – Accidents happen, and sometimes they impact our mouths, quite literally. Trauma to the face sometimes results in teeth that are damaged beyond repair, which means they will need to be extracted.
- Untreated decay – When decay is allowed to spread without any intervention, it will eventually get to the point where the tooth is simply unsalvageable using any other dental treatment and extraction is the only option.
What is a tooth extraction?
An extraction is simply a procedure to remove a tooth. When an extraction is required, the area around the tooth will be numbed and Dr. Woodall will remove the tooth. The time it takes to complete the procedure will depend on how many teeth need to be removed and where they are located.
Caring for your mouth properly after an extraction is very important. Dr. Woodall will give you instructions and talk to you about managing any discomfort you may feel after the procedure. It is important to allow your mouth time to heal, so avoid smoking, drinking through a straw, or eating foods that may aggravate the area. During recovery, while you can care for your other teeth as normal, be careful not to clean the teeth next to the extraction.
IMPORTANT If you experience any complications, like excessive swelling, be sure to call us right away.
Don’t ignore tooth pain
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, visit our office today, so we can determine the cause and the proper course of action. Delaying a consultation can worsen the situation and require longer recovery times.
