When root canal therapy, dental crowns, or dental fillings are not enough to save a tooth, we may recommend a dental extraction. Tooth extraction procedures today are far less painful than ever, thanks to powerful anesthetics and sedatives. When we remove a tooth, you often experience little or no discomfort and only minor bleeding. Dr. Sheryl Jenicke provides comfortable tooth extraction treatment to patients in Cadillac, MI. Extractions are a part of our general dentistry services for new and existing patients.
Reasons Why You Need a Tooth Removed
You may need a tooth removed if you have:
- Infected teeth: If we cannot provide a root canal or filling for a severe tooth infection, we may remove an infected tooth.
- Injured teeth: Sometimes, we cannot save a severely injured tooth. Large pieces of broken teeth, especially breaks that go below the gum line, may need to be removed.
- Impacted teeth: An impacted tooth occurs when a tooth does not have enough room to grow. Many times, wisdom teeth are impacted and require removal.
Many patients fear pain, so they avoid the dentist for a tooth extraction. However, an extraction will ultimately stop pain from an injured, impacted, or infected tooth. After you heal from a tooth extraction, you will no longer feel chronic tooth pain or discomfort.
Tooth Extraction Treatment in Cadillac, MI
Before extraction, we numb the treated area with a topical or injectable anesthetic. This ensures you will not feel any pain during treatment. The length of your treatment will depend on your type of extraction. A simple extraction removes teeth above the gum line. Complex extractions remove teeth beneath the gum line.
It can take minutes to remove a tooth above the gum line. Impacted teeth can take more time so that we may recommend sedation. Sedation ensures that we can provide more complex and lengthy treatments.
Post-Operative Care: Tooth Extractions
Patients with extracted teeth sometimes need to take an antibiotic. At the very least, they must take precautions following the procedure to ensure that infection doesn’t occur.
After treatment, avoid smoking, vigorous brushing and rinsing, and drinking liquids through straws. They hinder healing and may cause the wound to open. Cold compresses applied to the outside cheek near the extraction area can help reduce swelling and promote faster healing.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that erupt in the back corners of the upper and lower normal adult mouth. Unfortunately, most people experience problems with wisdom teeth. In most cases, the teeth erupt too close to existing permanent teeth, causing crowding and improper bites.
If wisdom teeth are causing a problem and are not pulled, they can sometimes become impacted. This means they do not have enough room to emerge. Impacted wisdom teeth can be extremely painful and harmful to your oral health. Sometimes, wisdom teeth can grow at an angle and dig into permanent molars.
Many people need to have their wisdom teeth removed to avoid future serious problems. The lack of four wisdom teeth does not impact one’s ability to bite down, speak, or eat properly.
Please get in touch with our office if you experience tooth pain in the back of your mouth or experience facial swelling. We can take X-rays to view your wisdom teeth and plan an extraction.
Improve Your Oral Health Today
Are your wisdom teeth coming in? Do you have pain from an infected tooth? Call Brilliant Smiles Family Dentistry today at 231-389-6388. You can also request a dental appointment with Dr. Jenicke online. Please let us know if you have any questions about tooth removal.