
Your natural teeth play an extremely important role in biting, chewing, and maintaining a healthy mouth and jawbone. If they become infected or injured, our first priority will always be to try to restore, repair, or otherwise salvage them. There are situations, though, where tooth extractions in Brick Township are necessary. At Nu Dental Brick, Dr. Gizachew will walk you through every step of the extraction procedure and ensure that you’re comfortable at all times. Call us today to learn more or schedule an appointment if you believe that tooth removal might be a possible solution for your dental pain.
Use current Reasons to Perform a Tooth Extraction image
While it will always be a last resort, we may recommend an extraction under the following circumstances:
There are two types of tooth extractions.
During a simple extraction, we use an elevator to lift the tooth out of its socket. Then, forceps are used to grip the tooth, break any connective tissues holding it in place, and remove it from the mouth.
During a surgical extraction, such as what is commonly used for wisdom teeth, we may have to create incisions in the gums or break a tooth into pieces in order to remove it.
Following the removal of teeth (except for wisdom teeth), we usually recommend tooth replacement to prevent future dental problems, such as dental drift and future tooth loss.
As your dentist in Brick Township, Dr. G will provide detailed instructions to help you recover from your extraction. He often recommends that patients:
Once your mouth has healed, you may be eligible for a dental implant or dental bridge. Filling in the gap in your mouth can restore your smile’s aesthetics, help you enjoy strong chewing power, and provide other noteworthy benefits.
Since tooth extractions in Brick Township aren’t typically as routine as treatments like checkups or fillings, it’s natural for patients to have questions about this procedure. As always, our team is available to provide the specific answers you’re looking for at your initial appointment or, in some cases, over the phone. However, we know that some patients really value being able to do their research online first. For this reason, we’ve responded to a few of the most frequently asked questions about tooth extractions below.
Before the procedure, your mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic by our dentist in Brick Township. If needed, we also offer multiple dental sedation options. This will help you feel comfortable during the extraction, and you shouldn’t feel any pain at all! However, expect some soreness and discomfort in the first few days following the extraction. You can easily manage your symptoms by diligently following the aftercare instructions you were given. Taking proper care of your mouth after extraction will not only promote faster healing but lower your risk of infection. If your pain worsens or you begin to exhibit other symptoms like developing a fever, contact our office right away for assistance.
Preparing for your tooth extraction is just as important as taking the right steps for recovery after the procedure. Before your extraction, we’ll answer any questions you have and explain how you can prep for your appointment. Our team here at Nu Dental Brick will provide you with specific instructions like only drinking water or picking up prescription medication. Make sure you have arrangements for someone to drive you home after the appointment since you’ll likely receive local or general anesthesia.
Once the procedure is complete, your emergency dentist in Brick Township will give you a list of aftercare instructions. These are designed to help you prevent infection and heal comfortably. Some of the most important best practices are getting plenty of rest, keeping your mouth clean, sticking to soft foods, not spitting, and refraining from tobacco use. To keep discomfort at bay, you can place a cold compress against the outside of your cheek for 10 minutes at a time and take over-the-counter pain relievers as instructed. Around the three-day mark, you should begin to feel better.
Filling the gap in your smile following a tooth extraction is essential for both appearance and function. For this reason, we will recommend a dental bridge, dentures, or dental implants. While dental bridges can replace 1-4 teeth, they need to be in a single row for this tooth-replacement solution. Partial and full dentures are a tried-and-true choice that can address moderate or severe tooth loss but cannot stimulate your jawbone to prevent bone loss. Fortunately, dental implants can effectively replace one, a few, or an entire arch of teeth. Since the implant posts are inserted directly into the jawbone, they are incredibly lifelike, extremely stable, and able to last for 20-plus years with proper care.