Extracting a tooth means entirely removing it from the mouth. Tooth extractions are carried out when no other treatment can help save a tooth or because the tooth may pose a problem to your oral health if it remains. At Midtown Dental Clinic, we routinely perform tooth extractions safely and efficiently. They can be done on both adult and pediatric patients as needed.
When Is a Tooth Extraction Needed?
Tooth Extractions are sometimes necessary to help improve your smile and prevent future oral health complications. However, we always take time to make sure that your tooth is beyond repair and cannot be salvaged by any other means.
Some of the reasons you might require a tooth removal include:
- A tooth is severely fractured below the gum line
- A tooth is decayed to a great extent
- The tooth is loose due to gum disease or underlying bone loss
- A primary child tooth that won’t come out on its own
- A wisdom tooth that is impacted
Who Would Need a Tooth Extraction?
Our dentists will perform a routine exam to determine the technique of extraction that will be needed to remove your tooth. There are two chief methods of tooth extraction: simple and surgical. A normal tooth can be pulled out in a simple extraction process, whereas an impacted wisdom tooth will involve a surgical procedure. They are performed on an as-needed basis. We will later go over any treatment options available to help replace the tooth that was pulled out.
What Is Involved In a Tooth Extraction?
We will first administer a local anesthetic to numb the extraction area and make the procedure more comfortable for you. We will then use special tools to loosen and lift the tooth out of its socket for a simple extraction. The process is swift, and we work to make it as efficient as possible.
In surgical extractions such as for a wisdom tooth, an incision will be made on the gum to expose the embedded tooth. The tissues covering the tooth are removed and the exposed tooth is gently pulled out. The extraction site will be sutured to close the gums and promote faster healing. We will have you bite down on medicated gauze to stop any bleeding. A course of antibiotics and painkillers will be prescribed to speed up your recovery process. You will then go home with aftercare instructions to take care of the operated site.
If you think you might need to have a tooth extracted, call us at Midtown Dental Clinic in Richland, WA, Suite 199352 at (509) 946-1678, and schedule an appointment.