Things You Should Know Before Dental Extraction

When it comes to oral health, one can undergo many procedures and treatments to maintain a healthy and happy smile. One of the most common dental procedures is dental extraction. This procedure can be straightforward or complex, depending on the case. No matter the situation, it’s important to know what you should expect before having a dental extraction.

What Is Dental Extraction?

A dental extraction is an umbrella term for any procedure in which a tooth (or multiple teeth) is removed from its socket in the jawbone. The two main types of extractions are simple extractions and surgical extractions. Simple extractions occur when a tooth can be easily seen above the gum line. In contrast, surgical extractions occur when the tooth is impacted or embedded in the jawbone and cannot be seen easily above the gum line. For example, wisdom teeth often require surgical extraction because they are located in the back of your mouth and embedded in the jawbone.

Why Would I Need To Have A Tooth Extracted?

There are many reasons why one may need to have a tooth extracted, including decay, infection, overcrowding of teeth, orthodontic treatment preparation, or injury/trauma to a tooth or surrounding bone structure. In some cases, such as those involving badly damaged or decayed teeth that cannot be treated with root canal therapy or crowns/bridges/dentures, extracting them may be necessary to prevent further infection and deterioration of adjacent teeth and gums. Additionally, wisdom teeth often need to be removed as they tend to cause overcrowding as they try to emerge into a full-sized adult mouth that has already filled up with other adult-sized teeth!

How Is A Tooth Extracted?

The method used for extraction will depend upon each case; however, here are some general guidelines:

Simple Extractions:

A local anesthetic will typically be used before performing a simple extraction. Your dentist will loosen up the gum tissue around your tooth using special tools so they can grab onto it with forceps and gently rock it back and forth until it comes out from its socket. This procedure usually takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish in most cases!

Surgical Extractions:

Surgical extractions involve making an incision into your gums so that your dentist can access your underlying jawbone where your impacted/embedded tooth will likely exist. They will then cut away any gum or bone tissue that may block their access before removing the tooth with forceps or by breaking it into smaller pieces for easier removal! Local anesthesia will also typically be used during this type of procedure, but more time should be expected since these cases tend to be more complex than simpler ones.

What Can I Expect After Having A Tooth Extraction?

After you have had a dental extraction performed, you may experience some bleeding as well as swelling near where your tooth was located; this is completely normal! Your dentist may decide it would be beneficial for you to take antibiotics after surgery if they believe that there was an underlying infection present at the time of your procedure (which could potentially come back after surgery). In addition, they may provide instructions on how best to care for yourself following surgery, such as eating soft foods like applesauce or yogurt instead of hard solid foods like hamburgers for several days after surgery so as not to disturb the healing process too much! Lastly, keep an eye out for any signs of infection, such as fever or pain that won’t go away – if you notice any such symptoms, contact your dentist immediately!

Conclusion

We’ve looked at the details and considerations to keep in mind when deciding on dental extraction for any dental treatments. In addition, we have discussed the necessary information about possible causes of extraction or alternative treatments. It’s important to always discuss your concerns with a team of professional oral health experts who can help you come up with an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan that fits your needs. If you live in Canoga Park and are looking for a reliable and trustworthy dental practice specializing in such procedures, be sure to contact a Canoga Park Dental Practice today.