Tooth extractions may become necessary for a number of different reasons. Your tooth may be infected or damaged, or you may need your wisdom teeth to be removed before they cause serious problems. How can you tell if your tooth needs to be extracted? Dr. Leonard Hess in Monroe, NC, in the greater Charlotte area, provides tooth extractions to patients.
A Last Resort
In many cases, tooth extraction is seen as an absolute last resort. Dr. Hess takes care to make sure he provides the most conservative treatment for your dental problems. We want to save as much of your natural tooth as possible. However, if conservative methods have failed or we don’t believe that they’re feasible in a particular case, that’s when a tooth extraction is recommended.
Reasons for Pulling Teeth
There are many reasons a tooth may be removed. If you’re experiencing severe tooth decay or have a tooth that’s been extremely damaged from trauma, the tooth may need to be removed. Teeth are also taken out when your teeth are overcrowded and causing problems with your day-to-day life.
Sometimes teeth are removed to help treat a malocclusion. This is when your bite lines up abnormally. Malocclusion can be the cause of many oral health problems, particularly TMJ disorders. An even bite that meets where it’s supposed to help to even out the pressure on your teeth when they close together. This lessens the chance of broken or cracked teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth typically erupt in the late teens or early twenties and most people end up needing to have their wisdom teeth removed. The emergence of wisdom teeth can cause pain, overcrowding in the teeth, and they are more likely to suffer from tooth decay as they’re harder to reach in their place at the very back of your mouth. Wisdom teeth can also become impacted in your jaw. This means that they’re coming in at an odd angle and are stuck under the gums, causing problems with the roots of your other teeth. Wisdom teeth are usually all extracted at the same time through a surgical procedure. You’ll be sedated and the wisdom teeth will be removed so they cannot cause more problems.
The Extraction Process
For simple tooth extraction, you’ll first receive a local anesthetic around the tooth that needs to be removed. If you frequently experience dental phobia, we also offer sedation dentistry options to help you remain calm and comfortable throughout the extraction process.
Once you’ve been numbed, the ligaments that connect the tooth to your bone will be slowly severed. The tooth is gently rocked back and forth to help pop it out of the socket. When the tooth is out, the entire area will be cleaned and packed with gauze. This helps a blood clot to form in the cavity and also helps prevent food particles from getting in and other hazards. You’ll receive aftercare instructions from Dr. Hess to ensure it heals properly.
Need A Tooth Pulled in Monroe, NC?
Have a tooth that may need to be removed? For dental care by a skilled and compassionate dentist in the Charlotte area, call Dr. Hess’s office at 704.240.5045 or request a consultation online.