Extraction
Tooth Extraction in Trenton, MI
At Trenton Dental Care, we understand how stressful it can be to experience a serious dental issue. Though it may be tempting to put off seeking treatment because of your anxiety, delaying care can actually increase your risk of further problems. When you visit our office, we’ll do everything we can to make your experience as fast, stress-free, and painless as possible. Though we will do everything possible to save your natural tooth, for severe problems like major tooth damage, extensive decay, large cavities, and deep infection, we may recommend tooth extraction in Trenton, MI. Call now to schedule a consultation and dental exam.
When & Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
In some cases, we may be able to save your tooth by filling a cavity, performing a dental restoration, or through root canal therapy. However, serious issues may warrant an extraction in order to prevent further pain, damage, or injury to your health. A tooth extraction may be necessary due to:
- Severe tooth decay, such as cavities that are too wide or deep to fix with a filling
- Deep dental infection that has reached the dental pulp or tooth root
- Major trauma that has caused serious or widespread damage to the tooth
- Advanced periodontal disease that has caused bone loss, receding gums, or loose teeth
- Severe overcrowding that impacts alignment or the space needed for existing or growing teeth
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Failed dental restorations
- Misshapen or malformed teeth that threaten your overall oral health
Understanding Common Types of Tooth Extractions
When we recommend extraction, we’ll make sure you have the information you need to make an informed decision about your oral health and dental care. We know that no one wants to hear that they need to have a tooth pulled, but removing a damaged, injured, or decayed tooth can actually relieve pain and improve your health. Some of the most common types of tooth extractions we perform are:
- Simple Extractions vs. Surgical Extractions – A simple extraction is used when a tooth is fully visible and easily accessible. We use local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. A surgical extraction may be necessary for broken or impacted teeth or complex conditions. It is performed using anesthesia, and we make a small incision into the gum line to access the tooth.
- Broken Tooth Extraction – This is necessary if a tooth has broken due to trauma, injury, or decay. Pieces of the tooth are extracted, and surgical extraction may be necessary for fragments below the gum line.
- Infected Tooth Extraction – If you have a deep infection that cannot be treated with root canal therapy, we will remove the tooth to eliminate bacteria and prevent the infection from spreading.
- Impacted Tooth or Wisdom Tooth Extraction – An impacted or wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical extraction for teeth that cannot fully erupt and are causing pain, shifting, overcrowding, and discomfort. We make a small incision in the gum line and may break the tooth apart into pieces to remove it.
Signs You Need an Emergency Tooth Extraction
It’s very important to be aware of the warning signs that you need a tooth extraction. Delaying care or treatment can lead to serious infection and even sepsis. Call our office right away if you have:
- Severe, unrelenting pain that cannot be relieved with painkillers
- Signs of infection, including fever and/or chills, pus or discharge from the gums, a foul taste in your mouth, red and inflamed gums, or swelling of the mouth, cheeks, jaw, or neck
- Severe or uncontrollable bleeding from the gums or mouth
- Severe trauma or damage to the tooth
- A loose or partially dislodged tooth
- Tooth pain or damage combined with trouble chewing, speaking, or opening or closing your mouth
Preparing for the Tooth Extraction Process
We will make sure you understand each part of the extraction process so that you can properly prepare. While each situation is unique, the general process includes:
- Administration of anesthetic to ensure you have a comfortable, pain-free experience
- Loosening of the tooth using specialized dental instruments or an incision in your gum line to access the tooth
- Removal of the tooth and disinfection of the tooth socket
- Placement of dissolvable stitches if needed
- Discussion of post-extraction tooth replacement options
Tips for Proper Care After a Tooth Extraction
We will give you personalized instructions to follow to ensure proper tooth extraction recovery. Some tooth extraction aftercare tips to alleviate pain and discomfort and prevent complications are:
- Following a soft food diet and avoiding extremely hot or cold foods and beverages
- Rinsing with warm salt water or antimicrobial mouthwash to keep the site clean
- Avoiding hard, chewy, sticky, or crunchy foods for at least a few days
- Drinking plenty of water
- Avoiding sugary or acidic beverages and alcohol until you heal
- Quitting smoking
- Keeping your head elevated
- Using sterile gauze or wet teabags for bleeding
- Using hot or cold compresses for pain and swelling
- Taking all medications as directed
- Avoiding strenuous activity, using straws, or poking at the extraction site
Why Choose Trenton Dental Care
Trenton Dental Care is a family-focused, locally-owned and operated dental clinic. Our team is made up of caring, experienced professionals committed to providing highly personalized and compassionate care. We offer advanced treatment methods and use the latest dental technology to ensure patient safety and comfort. We also have extensive experience in treating dental fear and anxiety so that our patients can get the care they need. We focus on providing patient education and preventive care to improve oral and overall health, and we offer cosmetic and restorative dentistry services to improve patient smiles and confidence.
Call Now to Make an Appointment
Don’t ignore tooth pain or other signs of a dental emergency. Call us now or contact us online to make an appointment and find out if you need a tooth extraction in Trenton, MI. Our caring, experienced professionals will provide swift diagnosis, pain management, and patient education so that you understand your options and can begin your journey to healing. We also offer comfortable, natural-looking dental restorations to replace your extracted tooth.
FAQs About Tooth Extractions
Where can I see before and after photos of tooth extraction results?
You can find before-and-after pictures that showcase real patient success stories in our Smile Gallery.
How long is the wisdom tooth extraction recovery process?
You may experience mild pain, swelling, bleeding, and discomfort for 24 hours to three days after your extraction. Most people feel much better by day four.
What happens after my tooth is extracted?
After your tooth is extracted and you heal, we will discuss replacement options (unless you underwent a wisdom tooth extraction or impacted tooth extraction). We can replace one or more extracted teeth with natural-looking dental restorations like dental implants, dentures, and dental bridges. These not only restore the beauty of your smile, but also restore chewing and speaking function and help you avoid complications like shifting teeth, jawbone loss, and deformity.
What are the risks of delaying a tooth extraction?
Delaying a necessary tooth extraction could lead to worsening pain and discomfort, trouble eating and speaking, bite problems, cysts or abscesses, gum disease, and the spread of infection to surrounding teeth, tissues, and even organs. This could lead to organ damage, organ failure, sepsis, or death.