Treating Your Smile With A Tooth Extraction

austin tooth extraction

With our fillings and crowns we strive to repair your teeth and preserve your smile. But sometimes, an issue arises so severe that a tooth needs to be removed to protect the rest of your smile. In today’s blog, your Austin, MN, dentists will talk about how we perform a tooth extraction, and the steps we use to keep the procedure comfortable!

Reasons to Remove a Tooth

An extraction could be used to remove a tooth too severely damaged or infected to receive treatment with a root canal or crown. Taking the tooth out helps prevent infection from reaching other teeth or moving into the jaw. We could also take a tooth out to make room to reposition the others in an orthodontic procedure. If a tooth is loosened due to periodontal disease, we could extract the tooth as well. However, the most common reason is to prevent the impaction of wisdom teeth. In our late teens and early 20s, up to four new teeth could erupt in the rear of our mouth. There is little room for them, so their arrival could mean misalignment, infection, damaged teeth, discomfort, and even a painful partial eruption known as an impaction.

The Extraction Process

The process itself is very simple and rarely takes more than 30 minutes to complete. Essentially, we use a pair of forceps to gently take the tooth out. For wisdom teeth, we may need to open the gums above the teeth. As we want to take them out before they erupt. After a tooth is taken out, we suture the area closed. You return home with precision for any necessary medications, and detailed instructions. We want to prevent complications until you return for suture removal. You should rest for a day, and eat only soft foods for the first day or two. Don’t use a straw, and don’t prod the extraction site with your tongue.

Ensuring Your Comfort

To ensure you feel comfortable we have more than just a local numbing agent. We could also use dental sedation to help you enter a deep state of calm and relaxation. The effects may take time to wear off, so a friend or family member will need to be on hand to take you home. You will have little to no memory of the procedure at all. We could also discuss replacement options should you lose a tooth to poor oral health or injury.

Talk To Our Austin, MN Dentist’s Office About Oral Surgery

Potach And Mitchell Dental Clinic wants to help improve the function, beauty, and health of your smile with a tooth extraction. To find out more about how we perform a safe and comfortable oral surgery, then contact your Austin, MN, dentists, Dr. Potach and Mitchell, by calling 507-437-6312.