As a dentist, our goal is to do everything possible to help you preserve your natural teeth, from recommending preventive care to performing restorative treatments. However, in rare cases the best option for safeguarding the health of your smile may be to remove a tooth. When do you need extractions? Will the tooth removal process be comfortable?
Frequently Asked Questions About Extractions
Question: Do wisdom teeth require extraction?
Answer: In many cases, the answer is yes. When these third set of molars erupt in the late teens or early 20s, a number of complications can develop. For example, the teeth can lead to misalignment. In addition, the teeth can become impacted, only partially erupting can lead to infection or damage to adjacent teeth. Fortunately, we can remove these teeth, often before they even erupt.
Question: What if my tooth becomes infected?
Answer: We can often address a dental infection with a root canal. However, if the problem goes untreated for a long period of time, then the tooth can die. At this point, extraction may be recommended to prevent the infection from reaching surrounding teeth or the jawbone.
Question: Will I receive sedation?
Answer: Yes. We will offer dental sedation to ensure the patient enters a calm and relaxed state during the treatment. You will remain conscious, but have no memory of the procedure. Dental sedation can also help patients who suffer from dental anxiety undergo necessary treatments.
Question: How will you know when to remove a tooth?
Answer: We will perform a thorough examination, incorporating digital x-rays and intraoral cameras to create a detailed view of your oral health. From there, we can decide if a tooth requires removal. If so, we will walk you through each step of the procedure and address any questions or concerns you may have.
