Owings Mills Dentistry
What are Tooth Extractions?
Extracting a tooth involves completely removing it from the mouth. This is typically done if there is no other way to save a tooth. In other cases, extractions are needed to remove teeth that could pose a threat to your oral health. With any and every extraction, we perform it easily and comfortably in our office on patients of all ages.
Why might a Tooth Extraction be needed?
You might have severely advanced gum disease and are going to be fitted for a denture. Your remaining loose, decayed or damaged teeth are removed in preparation for replacement. If you have impacted wisdom teeth, we may suggest having them removed to prevent future oral problems. If a tooth has cracked below the gum line, it may not be able to be saved and should be removed.
Who is a candidate for a Tooth Extraction?
Patients of all ages can safely and successfully have extractions performed in our office. In fact, we often recommend removing stubborn baby teeth on children and teens who are undergoing orthodontic care. We will examine your teeth to determine if an extraction is necessary and the best way to go about removing the tooth. We will even discuss ways to replace the tooth, if needed, after it’s been extracted.
What happens during the Tooth Extraction process?
The extraction process begins with an anesthetic that is used to numb the area. We use special dental tools to loosen the tooth and then lift it out of its underlying socket. Sutures can be placed to close the gums and improve their ability to heal. You’ll bite down on cotton or gauze to stop any bleeding. Once this is done, we’ll have you go home with aftercare instructions. Be sure to keep the area clean and cared for to prevent instances of infection. It is important to avoid drinking from a straw or smoking after an extraction to prevent a condition known as dry socket, which involves pulling the healing blood clot from the extraction site itself.
If you would like to learn more about extractions, call us today so that we can get you into our office for a consultation and exam.