At Anderson Family Dental, our primary goal is to protect your health and help you maintain a full set of strong, functional teeth. Ideally, we’ll be able to treat problems before tooth extractions become necessary.
Even if you have teeth that are no longer salvageable, there is still hope for your oral health. Timely tooth extractions are often an essential first step toward rebuilding your smile and oral health.
WHY WOULD A TOOTH NEED TO BE PULLED?
There are many situations where a tooth can no longer be saved. Severe decay that has gone untreated for a long time may eat away too much tooth structure to allow for fillings or crowns to restore the tooth. Similarly, old or poorly executed dental work may allow for recurrent decay and make a tooth unsalvageable.
Cracks and fractures can usually be treated with crowns. However, cracks that compromise the root of the tooth make extraction necessary.
Severe periodontal disease that has caused too much bone loss can make teeth loose and eventually cause them to fall out. In many cases, extracting the teeth before they fall out on their own allows us to salvage as much remaining bone as possible. This will help ensure better outcomes for tooth replacements like dentures or dental implants.
Severe injuries, failed root canal therapy, and other irreparable damage could also lead to tooth extractions. No matter what, we’ll always do our best to save as many teeth as possible before we recommend extractions.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A TOOTH EXTRACTION?
The idea of losing a permanent tooth can be incredibly discouraging. We understand that tooth extractions aren’t most people’s idea of a fun time.
No matter why your tooth needs to come out, or how many teeth need to be pulled, we’ll ensure your total comfort throughout the procedure with the right sedation option for you.
Once you’re as comfortable as possible, Dr. Anderson will thoroughly numb the area. We’ll gently separate the tooth from the soft tissue keeping it in place before removing it.
In many cases, we’ll add bone grafting material to the socket immediately after your tooth is pulled. This is called socket preservation. Socket preservation helps to preserve healthy bone structure and prevent further bone loss while preparing the area for possible dental implants in the future. Even if you’re not ready for a dental implant right now, socket preservation can keep the option open for you down the road.
You may also be a candidate for us to place a dental implant post immediately as well. If the bone surrounding your tooth is fairly healthy and stable, immediate implant placement may help you avoid additional procedures.
HOW CAN I STAY COMFORTABLE AFTER A TOOTH EXTRACTION?
It’s normal to feel sore after a tooth extraction, but obviously we want to minimize any pain! Dr. Anderson and your dental team at Anderson Family Dental will give you detailed instructions to make sure you heal as quickly and comfortably as possible.
It’s important to follow those instructions as closely as you can.
Avoid smoking and drinking through straws for at least one day after your tooth extraction. We may also recommend gently rinsing with salt water to soothe the tissue and help it heal.
Most patients report minimal swelling or soreness for the first few days. In most cases, over-the-counter pain meds are all it takes to stay comfortable after a tooth extraction!
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS AFTER A TOOTH IS PULLED?
Regardless of whether a tooth comes out on its own or needs to be pulled, it’s important to replace missing teeth.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH?
Like many of us, your teeth need somebody to lean on. Teeth stay in place thanks to support from their neighbors as well as the teeth they meet when you bite down.
If you’re missing a tooth, the surrounding teeth can shift, tip, or even rise out of the socket. For each missing tooth, you’re also putting more strain and excess force on your remaining teeth, which can cause wear, chipping, and fractures as well as sensitivity.
Missing teeth can also make it impossible to eat a full range of nutritious foods. People with missing teeth frequently suffer from nutritional deficiencies.
A full set of teeth is necessary for stable oral health and full-body wellness.
WHAT ARE MY TOOTH REPLACEMENT OPTIONS?
If you need tooth extraction in Winter Park, FL, Dr. Anderson will guide you through all your options for replacing your missing teeth and help you make the best choice for your health, lifestyle, and budget.
Dental bridges, dental implants, and removable appliances like dentures are all potential treatments to replace missing teeth and restore your full set of strong, functional teeth and gorgeous smile!
If you’re already missing teeth or have been struggling with failing teeth that need to be pulled, call us to schedule a consultation and explore your options for painless tooth extractions and superior tooth replacements!