Our dentists in Dallas, TX, Dr. Shaun Sigurdson and Dr. Mihir Patel, work tirelessly to save teeth damaged by decay or trauma with restorative treatments and devices. However, some teeth are too damaged to repair. In those cases, tooth extractions are necessary to save the patient’s oral and overall health.
At Lakewood Dental Group, our team can gently remove problem teeth without sacrificing your comfort. With state-of-the-art tools, techniques, and tooth-replacement options, you can feel confident that a medically-necessary tooth extraction will keep your smile healthy and strong.
What is a tooth extraction?
A tooth extraction is a procedure in which Dr. Sigurdson and Dr. Patel completely remove a damaged or problematic tooth from its socket. Our team will only recommend tooth extractions if we believe that it is the best and safest way to reinstate or enhance a patient’s oral health.
When is a tooth extraction necessary?
Tooth extractions may be necessary for several reasons, including:
- Severe dental decay
- A serious tooth infection
- Cracked or fractured teeth
- Overly crowded teeth
- Dental injuries
- Severe periodontal disease
While many patients dislike hearing that they need a tooth pulled, it may be the only way to prevent a domino effect of worsening dental issues. Nevertheless, Dr. Sigurdson and Dr. Patel will exhaust all restorative treatment options–like dental fillings or root canal therapy–before suggesting tooth extractions.
What can I expect from a tooth extraction?
Dr. Sigurdon’s and Dr. Patel’s top priority is making sure that their patients are completely comfortable and numb before beginning a tooth extraction procedure. That’s why our team will administer local anesthesia to the surgical site before proceeding.
Once the local anesthesia completely numbs the area, Dr. Sigurdson and Dr. Patel will use specialized tools to gently loosen the problem tooth. Then, they will carefully pull the tooth from its socket. In some cases, our team may need to make a few incisions in the gum tissue to safely pull a tooth.
After Dr. Sigurdson and Dr. Patel remove the tooth, our team will carefully clean and disinfect the surgical site. Then, we will place clean gauze over the area and have the patients gently, but firmly, bite down on the gauze. The pressure that patients apply to the gauze will reduce bleeding and encourage the formation of a healthy blood clot.
What are aftercare instructions for a tooth extraction?
After a tooth extraction, it’s important to keep the site clean. Rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash or warm salt water will help keep the area free from harmful bacteria. Dr. Sigurdson and Dr. Patel may also prescribe a prescription antibiotic, which should be taken as instructed and to completion.
Patients should still conduct daily oral hygiene, but patients should not brush the surgical site immediately after the procedure. Patients can try brushing the area gently once a blood clot has formed.
Patients must avoid using straws to sip beverages for approximately one week. The sucking action caused by drinking through a straw can dislodge a newly-formed blood clot, resulting in a dry socket.
Dr. Sigurdson and Dr. Patel recommend eating softer foods and limiting strenuous activities for approximately 72 hours after a tooth extraction.
Need a tooth extraction? We can help!
If you’re looking for a qualified Lakewood dentist to help you get much-needed relief from a decayed or damaged tooth, then it’s time to discuss a tooth extraction with the team at Lakewood Dental Group. We’ll help restore your oral health and replace missing teeth with quality dental restorations, like dental implants.
New and existing patients can schedule an appointment online here, or they can call our Dallas dental office at (214) 827-1885.
