We do all we can to avoid the need for a tooth extraction. But when it’s needed, the dental care team at Reliance Dental in Edmonton can perform a comfortable tooth extraction in our Edmonton, AB dental office. As part of our general dentistry care, we ensure that every extraction is performed with precision and care to maintain your oral health.
Why Do I Need a Tooth Extraction?
Dr. Chandy may recommend a tooth extraction for several important reasons. It might sound a little scary at first, but knowing why it’s needed can help you feel more comfortable. You may need a tooth extraction in our Edmonton, AB, dental office for several reasons:
Severe Tooth Decay
A bad cavity can damage the tooth beyond repair. If the decay reaches the center of the tooth or spreads to the root, a simple filling or crown may not be enough to fix it. In these cases, the best option may be to remove the tooth to stop the infection from spreading to other teeth or to your jaw.
Advanced Gum Disease
Gum disease doesn’t just affect your gums, it also harms the bone and tissues that hold your teeth in place. If the damage is serious, your teeth can become loose. When this happens, our dentist may need to remove the loose tooth to keep your mouth healthy and comfortable.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to come in, usually in your late teens or early twenties. Sometimes they don’t have enough room to grow in properly. They might get stuck under the gums or come in at an angle, pressing against other teeth. This can cause pain, swelling, or infections. In many cases, impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed.
Crowded Teeth
If your mouth doesn’t have enough space for all your teeth, they can become crowded and overlap. This can make it hard to keep them clean and may affect how your bite works. Dentists or orthodontists sometimes remove one or more teeth to create space, especially before starting orthodontic treatment like braces.
Simple vs. Complex Extractions
The two main types of tooth extractions are simple and complex (or surgical) extractions. The type you need depends on the condition of your tooth and where it’s located in your mouth.
Simple Extraction
We’ll recommend a simple extraction when the tooth can be seen above the gumline and is easy to remove. In this case, our dentist uses a special tool to gently loosen the tooth and then pulls it out. This type of extraction is usually quick and doesn’t take long to heal. It’s often used for teeth that are damaged or decayed but still fully visible.
Complex (Surgical) Extraction
A complex extraction is needed when the tooth is harder to reach. This might be because the tooth is broken off at the gumline or hasn’t come in all the way, like an impacted wisdom tooth. For this type of extraction, the dentist or oral surgeon may need to make a small cut in your gum to get to the tooth. Sometimes the tooth is taken out in pieces. Complex extractions take a little longer to heal and may require stitches.
Our Tooth Extraction Process
First, our dental team will take a close look at your mouth. We may take X-rays to see the tooth and the area around it clearly. Then, we’ll talk with you about the procedure and explain your options for anesthesia so you’ll feel comfortable and know what to expect.
On the day of your extraction, we’ll usually use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth. This means you won’t feel pain during the procedure. For more complicated cases, we may also offer sedation to help you relax.
No matter the type of extraction, our dentist will gently remove the tooth while making sure you stay as comfortable as possible. We’ll give you easy-to-follow instructions to help you heal and feel better quickly.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
After we remove your tooth, Dr. Chandy will give you special instructions to help you heal. You need to follow these directions so your mouth can recover properly and you don’t run into any problems.
Follow these aftercare tips:
- Reduce Swelling: It’s normal to have some swelling after the extraction. To help with this, place an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for 15–20 minutes at a time. This can help bring down the swelling and make you feel more comfortable.
- Eat Soft Foods: For the first few days, eat only soft foods that are easy to chew. Good choices include soup, applesauce, yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and smoothies. Stay away from hard, crunchy, or sticky foods because they can bother the healing area or cause pain.
- Keep Your Mouth Clean: You’ll want to keep your mouth clean to avoid infection, but you also need to be gentle. Dr. Chandy will explain how to brush carefully and when to start rinsing your mouth. Usually, after the first day, you can rinse with warm salt water a few times a day to help keep the area clean.
- Avoid Dry Socket: Dry socket is a painful condition that can happen if the blood clot that forms in the empty tooth socket is lost too soon. To help prevent this, don’t use a straw, smoke, or spit forcefully for several days. Try to rest and let your body heal.
Do Tooth Extractions Hurt?
Many people worry that getting a tooth pulled will be painful, but modern dental care makes the process much easier and more comfortable than you might think. Before the extraction, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth with a special medicine so you don’t feel pain during the procedure. You might feel a little pressure, but you shouldn’t feel sharp pain.
If you’re nervous or having a more complicated extraction, your dentist may offer sedation to help you relax. After the tooth is removed, it’s normal to feel some soreness or swelling for a few days. Over-the-counter pain medicine, cold packs, and following our dentist’s aftercare instructions can help you feel better while you heal.
Schedule a Consultation
Contact Reliance Dental to get tooth extraction treatment in Edmonton, AB. Call us today at 587-840-9984. You can also request an appointment with Dr. Chandy online.