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Treating Troublesome Teeth
At WestSide Dental Studio, our Reno, NV dentist, Dr. Chelsea Dean understands that tooth extractions can seem intimidating and even scary. Our team of highly qualified and experienced dental professionals are here to provide you with a comfortable and stress-free experience.
If you are in need of a tooth extraction, don't hesitate to contact our Reno dental office by calling(775) 686-6029. Our team is committed to providing you with the best dental care possible. Schedule an appointment today and take the first step towards a healthier, happier smile!
Tooth extraction is a routine dental procedure that involves removing a tooth from its socket. This removal can be necessary for several reasons, including severe tooth decay or damage, crowding, infection, or problems with wisdom teeth.
Dr. Dean and Dr. Jones prioritize keeping your natural teeth healthy. However, there are some cases in which removing a tooth through extraction is best for protecting your overall wellness. Tooth extraction can be a necessary step in alleviating dental pain and ensuring the health of the remaining teeth.
Treating Troublesome Teeth
Simple tooth extraction is a dental procedure that involves removing a tooth visible above the gum line. This procedure is usually performed with the use of a local anesthetic, and the dentist uses special instruments to loosen the tooth and remove it with forceps. Simple tooth extraction is a relatively quick and straightforward procedure, and the recovery time is fairly short for most patients.
Surgical tooth extraction is a more complex procedure necessary when a tooth is either impacted or hasn’t fully emerged from the gum line. This procedure may require both local anesthetic and dental sedation, and the dentist may need to make an incision in the gum tissue to access the tooth.
In some cases, the dentist may need to remove some bone tissue to fully extract the tooth. The recovery time for surgical tooth extraction can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the person.
Tooth extraction may be a preventative measure to avoid potential dental problems in the future. Some common reasons Dr. Dean may extract a tooth include the following:
WHAT TO EXPECT
The tooth extraction process begins when Dr. Jones or Dr. Dean performs tooth extractions after a thorough examination of the affected tooth and surrounding tissues. Often, patients will need x-rays taken so Dr. Dean can assess the tooth’s position and extent of any damage or decay. Once the patient’s prepared, the dentist administers local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth, ensuring the patient remains comfortable during the procedure. If the tooth is impacted or difficult to remove, an incision may be made in the gum tissue to access the tooth.
Next, Dr. Dean will use specialized instruments to loosen the tooth from the socket and carefully remove it. Occasionally, the tooth may need to be broken into smaller pieces to make it easier to remove.
After Dr. Dean has extracted the tooth, the dentist cleans the area and may place stitches to help the gums heal. The patient will receive instructions on caring for the extraction site, including avoiding certain foods and activities for a while.
After tooth extraction, following proper aftercare instructions is vital to promote healing and prevent complications. Here are some general guidelines for tooth extraction aftercare:
Following these aftercare instructions can help ensure a smooth recovery after tooth extraction.
If you experience any unusual symptoms or complications, contact our WestSide Dental Studio immediately.
After your appointment, you should go home, rest, and relax. We recommend taking a day or two off of work during your initial healing process, if possible.
We’ll give you a full set of instructions about what to eat, how to clean your mouth, and what to avoid while you heal. Follow them to the letter to recover more quickly.
Your mouth will feel mostly normal within about a week, but it will usally take up to 2-4 weeks for the extraction site to heal completely. You may need to schedule a follow-up with Dr. Dean to check your recovery progress.
What To Expect
At WestSide Dental Studio, we understand that the cost of a tooth extraction can be a concern for many of our patients. The cost of a tooth extraction can vary depending on the complexity of the procedure, the location of the tooth, and your insurance coverage. We believe in being transparent with our patients about the cost of their dental care, and we will work with you to create a treatment plan that fits within your budget. Our team will provide you with a detailed cost estimate before any treatment begins, so you can make an informed decision about your dental care.
The tooth extraction process is usually not painful, as local anesthetic numbs the area. However, patients may experience some discomfort or pain after the procedure, which is easily manageable with pain medication prescribed by your dentist.
The recovery time can vary depending on the individual and the complexity of the extraction. Most people can return to normal activities within a few days to a week after the procedure, but it may take several weeks to fully heal.
Dentists generally recommend sticking to soft, cool foods for the first few days after the procedure and avoiding hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that could irritate the extraction site. Be sure to follow any specific aftercare instructions provided by your dentist.
Many dental professionals will suggest replacing missing teeth to prevent problems with chewing, speaking, and the alignment of surrounding teeth. Your dentist or oral surgeon can discuss replacement options with you, such as dental implants, bridges, or dentures.
While dental professionals will do everything to prioritize saving and protecting their patients’ natural teeth, tooth extraction is sometimes the best option for their oral health. By removing an infected, impacted, or damaged tooth, your dentist can save the surrounding teeth and jaw from further damage. Getting a tooth pulled can be a crucial step in maintaining oral health, especially when dealing with an infected, impacted, or damaged tooth.
Learn more about the potential benefits of tooth extraction by scheduling a consultation at our Reno, NV dentist by calling (775) 686-6029.
There’s no time like the present to get started on your journey to your best smile yet. We can’t wait to meet you, so be sure to get in touch today with your local dentist in Reno!
No. If you have any cosmetic dental treatments like dental crowns, veneers, or teeth that have been treated with dental bonding, they will not respond to your teeth whitening treatment.
Teeth whitening is ineffective in these situations because the materials used to create your cosmetic dental work don’t respond to chemical whiteners the same way that your enamel does. Because these materials are designed to be non-reactive, the whiteners won’t do anything to your dental work.
This is one reason why teeth whitening is often recommended before you get veneers, crowns, or other cosmetic dental treatments. If you whiten your teeth before your cosmetic treatment, your dental work can be matched to your bright smile, ensuring that your smile always looks its best.
However, if you already have cosmetic dental treatments like veneers, you can still get teeth whitening. Dr. Dean will simply adjust your treatment, using the shade of your dental work as a target to ensure that your natural teeth match the rest of your grin after the whitening procedure is complete. This will provide you with a more even, pleasing smile.
As long as your mouth is healthy and free of major chronic oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease, you are likely a good candidate for professional teeth whitening. However, if you do have serious problems with your dental health, these must be resolved before you can get teeth whitening or any other cosmetic dental treatment at Westside Dental Studio.
However, it is important to note that not all staining can be treated by teeth whitening. Internal stains and extremely severe stains may not be removable with chemical whiteners alone, and may require further treatment. Dental crowns and veneers are often used to cover up these teeth and restore your smile.