Tooth Extractions – Saint Peters, MO
A Required Step for a Healthier Smile
With daily brushing and flossing at home and dental checkups scheduled at least every six months with Dr. Makwana, you just might be able to hang on to all of your teeth for a lifetime. However, there are certain circumstances that require tooth extraction in Saint Peters. If you have one or multiple teeth that must be removed, then you can put your confidence and the future appearance of your smile in Dr. Makwana’s capable and gentle hands. He performs tooth extractions with skill, compassion, and dedication to your comfort.
Why Choose Klassik Smiles for Tooth Extractions?
- Dental Sedation Available for Anxious Patients
- Advanced Dental Technology for Accurate Treatment Planning
- We Value Patient Education
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth are also called third molars. They are the very last molars to develop and are located to the rear of all your other teeth. In many people, they are quite large and often do not erupt through the gums but remain impacted. Some people, however, have visible wisdom teeth. But whether they are impacted or erupted, wisdom teeth are often set at an angle against adjacent teeth, which can lead to pain. Even when wisdom teeth erupt correctly, they usually take up more room than your jaw can comfortably accommodate. Therefore, extraction is often recommended.
After anesthetizing the site, Dr. Makwana makes an incision in your gums in order to remove the tooth. Forceps are used when possible, but sometimes, a wisdom tooth must be sectioned for removal.
Multiple Tooth Extractions
Some patients need to have several teeth removed at one time. The reason may be genetics, severe tooth decay, or traumatic injury. In this case, Dr. Makwana will go over the procedure at the time of your appointment, and he will tell you about replacement options to rebuild your smile.
Multiple tooth extractions may also be recommended if you or your child have teeth that are misaligned or overcrowded. In this case, extraction is schedule before orthodontic treatment, so there is adequate room for remaining teeth to align.
Tooth Extraction Site Preservation
A dental implant is the best way to replace a missing tooth. However, once your tooth is extracted, the underlying bone tissue may begin to weaken, and this can affect your jaw’s ability to anchor an implant. To prevent this, there is extraction site preservation. A grafting material is used to fortify the bone around your missing tooth. In this way, the jaw will have the needed bone volume to support a dental implant.
Post-Operative Care for Tooth Extractions
After a tooth extraction, there are specific instructions that you will need to follow to keep the site clean and promote healing. These include:
- Bite gently but firmly on a gauze pad, so bleeding slows, and a blood clot forms at the extraction site
- Rest and limit activity for a day or two after extraction
- Eat soft foods and chew on the side of your mouth that did not have extractions
- Take painkillers on time to stay ahead of the discomfort
- Use an icepack—20 minutes on, 20 minutes off—to reduce swelling
- Don’t drink from a straw because suction could dislodge blood clots
- Maintain oral hygiene, but don’t brush around the extraction site
- If you have any questions or concerns, please call our dental office
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?
Understandably, having your tooth pulled doesn’t sound exactly comfortable. Indeed, this might have been the case a couple of decades ago, but today, local anesthetics and dental sedation make the process quite tolerable. Rest assured, the anesthetic will numb your mouth so that you feel minimal discomfort. If you’re still nervous about your upcoming appointment, we’d be happy to talk with you about including dental sedation in your treatment plan. We want you to feel safe and confident in your treatment, so please don’t hesitate to give us a call if you’re concerned about pain!
Is There an Alternative to a Tooth Extraction?
We consider tooth extraction to be a last resort option. Our preference will always be to salvage as much of your pearly white as possible, whether that be through a root canal, dental crown treatment, or filling. In the long run, restoration is better for your oral health and comfort. However, there are situations where a tooth is no longer viable, in which case letting it stay as part of your smile could put your other teeth in danger. That’s when we’ll recommend a tooth extraction.
What’s the Difference Between Tooth Extractions and Wisdom Tooth Surgery?
Both treatments involve removing a tooth, so it’s understandable if you’re a bit confused about the difference. Basically, a tooth extraction involves removing an incisor, canine, or first or second molar. Wisdom tooth extractions only involve the third molars – a.k.a. wisdom teeth.
These back teeth develop much later than other types, so they often require more delicate surgery to remove. While most dentists will perform “normal” tooth extractions, not all of them will extract wisdom teeth, hence the distinction.
Can I Leave the Space Empty After a Tooth Extraction?
Technically you can, but it’s not recommended. Aside from usually being uncomfortable and inconvenient, missing teeth are known to cause jawbone loss. Normally when you chew, the pressure sends stimulation from the top of your tooth to the dental root and down into the jawbone. This stimulation encourages proper circulation so that the bone can receive the nutrients it needs to maintain itself. Without a dental root transferring stimulation, the affected part of the jawbone starts to deteriorate. Bone grafting procedures can help “reverse” this effect, but it’s better (and less expensive) to avoid it altogether by getting a prompt tooth replacement!
