Tooth Extraction Melbourne FL
Tooth Extraction Services at Artistic Touch Dentistry
While the primary goal of your Melbourne dentist is always to preserve your natural teeth, sometimes a tooth extraction is the most necessary or practical treatment to maintain your overall oral health. We understand that the idea of a tooth extraction can cause anxiety, but rest assured, our skilled team is committed to making the experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible, using modern techniques and compassionate care.
Why Might a Tooth Extraction Be Necessary?
Although saving a natural tooth is always the preferred option, there are specific circumstances where a tooth extraction is the most appropriate course of action to protect your health and prevent future complications. As your dedicated Melbourne dentist, we will thoroughly evaluate your situation and discuss all options before recommending extraction. Common reasons for a tooth extraction include:
Severe Decay:
When a tooth has extensive decay that has compromised its structural integrity beyond repair by fillings, crowns, or other restorative treatments, extraction may be needed to prevent infection spread.
Advanced Periodontal Disease:
Also known as gum disease, this condition can damage the supporting tissues and bone around a tooth, leading to loosening. In advanced stages where stability cannot be restored, tooth removal may be necessary to preserve the health of the surrounding gums and bone.
Trauma:
Significant damage to a tooth from an accident or injury that leaves it fractured or broken beyond repair may necessitate tooth removal.
Impaction:
Often seen with wisdom teeth, an impacted tooth fails to fully emerge into its correct position, potentially causing pain, swelling, and disruption to other teeth's alignment. Removing impacted teeth, like wisdom teeth, is a common oral surgery procedure to prevent these issues.
Preparation for dentures:
In some instances, when full dentures are prescribed, remaining teeth may need to be removed.
Overcrowding:
To achieve optimal alignment, especially in preparation for orthodontic treatments like braces or Invisalign, removing one or more teeth might be necessary to create space.
Primary teeth that fail to release:
If a primary tooth fails to release from the mouth after a prolonged period, an extraction may be performed. This condition is quite rare. Most baby teeth eventually shed on their own.
Our Commitment to Saving Your Teeth
At Artistic Touch Dentistry, we emphasize a conservative approach. Before recommending a tooth extraction, we explore all viable alternative treatment options. These may include:
Dental Fillings and Crowns: For cavities and moderate decay, these are often the first line of defense to restore tooth function and appearance.
Root Canal Treatment: If decay reaches the tooth's pulp and causes infection, a root canal can remove the infected tissue, clean the root canals, and seal the tooth to prevent further infection, potentially saving the tooth.
Periodontal Treatments: Various gum treatments, such as scaling and root planing, along with medications, can help treat gum infections and potentially restore tooth stability lost due to periodontal disease.
We utilize the latest technology and our expertise to attempt to save natural teeth whenever possible. However, when extraction is deemed the best path forward for your health, you can trust us to perform the procedure with the highest level of care.
The Tooth Extraction Process
Understanding the steps involved in a tooth extraction can help alleviate anxiety. At Artistic Touch Dentistry, we guide you through the process with transparency and care:
Consultation and Planning: Your journey starts with a detailed consultation. As your Melbourne dentist, we will assess your oral health, discuss why the tooth extraction is necessary, and take necessary X-rays or digital scans to plan the procedure accurately.
Anesthesia and Sedation Options: Your comfort is our top priority. We use effective local anesthesia to completely numb the area, ensuring you feel little to no pain during the tooth extraction, only possibly slight pressure. For patients with dental anxiety, we offer various sedation options, from mild sedatives to help you relax to more profound techniques, tailored to your individual needs.
The Extraction: Using specialized instruments, the dentist will gently loosen the tooth from its ligaments before removal. For impacted teeth or those broken below the surface, a more involved surgical extraction may be required. Our skilled dentists are highly trained in performing both simple and surgical extractions.
Post-Extraction Care: We provide detailed instructions on how to care for the extraction site to promote smooth healing. This typically includes advice on avoiding suction (like smoking or using straws), eating soft foods, and keeping the area clean.
Follow-Up: We may schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress and discuss potential tooth replacement options like dental implants or bridges if needed.
Easing Your Anxiety
We understand that fear is a major barrier to dental care. As your Melbourne dentist, we employ several techniques to ease the anxiety associated with tooth extraction:
Clear Communication: We explain every step of the procedure and answer all your questions, helping you feel informed and in control.
Gentle Approach: Our team is trained to provide supportive and gentle care throughout your visit.
Advanced Technology: Using state-of-the-art imaging and precise instruments helps make the procedure less invasive, minimizing discomfort and recovery time.
Why Choose Artistic Touch Dentistry for Tooth Extraction?
If you require a tooth extraction, choosing the right practice is vital for a comfortable and successful outcome.
Experienced Team: Our skilled dentists have extensive training and experience in performing tooth extractions.
Patient-Centered Care: We prioritize your comfort and safety above all else, offering customized anesthesia and sedation options.
Comprehensive Approach: We consider your overall dental health and discuss replacement options if needed.
Schedule Your Consultation
Don't let anxiety prevent you from receiving necessary dental care. If you think you may need a tooth extraction or have concerns about one, contact Artistic Touch Dentistry today. As your trusted Melbourne dentist, we are here to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care, helping you maintain a healthy smile.
The Tooth Extraction
At the time of the tooth extraction, using a local anesthetic, the dentist will numb your tooth, along with your jawbone and the gums that surround the area.
As the tooth is pulled from its socket, you will feel a lot of pressure. This is from the process of firmly rocking the tooth back and forth in order to widen the socket and ease the tooth's removal.
Still, you feel the pressure without pain. The anesthetic numbs the nerves that allow the transference of pain. Yet, the nerves that transmit pressure are not profoundly affected.
If you do feel pain at any time during the tooth extraction, let your dentist know right away. She can adjust the pain medication to better numb the area.
Surgical Vs. Simple Extractions
Simple extractions are performed when the crown of a tooth is easily visible above the gum line and the tooth is not broken into multiple components. The dentist can simply loosen the tooth and then remove it with forceps. No further actions are needed during the removal process.
A surgical tooth extraction can be a bit more complicated. If a tooth has broken off at or below the gum line or has failed to erupt, a surgical tooth extraction may be needed. The dentist must cut your gums to surgically remove the tooth or any fragments of tooth material that may be remaining. The cost of a surgical tooth extraction is a bit higher than that of a simple tooth extraction because of the complexity of the procedure.
After-extraction Home Care
Here are a few care tips to prevent problems after your extraction:
Bleeding
Some bleeding may occur after your extraction. Placing a piece of moist gauze over the empty tooth socket and biting down firmly for 45 minutes can help control this.
The blood clots that form in the empty socket are the first sign of healing. Be very careful not to dislodge the clot by following these guidelines:
- Avoid rinsing or spitting for 24 hours after the extraction.
- Avoid use of a straw
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid hot liquids
Swelling
If swelling occurs, place a cold compress on your face for 10 minutes and off for 20 minutes. Repeat this cycle as you feel necessary for up to 24 hours.
Pain and Medications
If you experience pain you may use non-prescription pain relief medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Eating
For most extractions, just make sure you do your chewing away from the extraction site. Stay away from hot liquids and alcoholic beverages for a day. A liquid diet may be recommended for the first 24 hours following your procedure.
Brushing and Cleaning
After the extraction, avoid brushing the teeth near the extraction site for one day. After that, you can resume gentle cleaning. Avoid commercial mouth rinses, as they tend to irritate the site. Beginning 24 hours after the extraction, you can rinse with salt water (1/2 teaspoon in a cup of water) after meals and before bed.
Dry Socket
Dry socket occurs when a blood clot fails to form or has been dislodged from the socket where the tooth has been. This is a painful occurrence and significantly delays healing.
Following the post extraction instructions will reduce the chances of developing dry socket. Dry sockets manifest themselves as a dull throbbing pain, which doesn’t appear until three or four days after the extraction. The pain can be moderate to severe and radiate from the extraction area. Dry socket may cause a bad taste or bad breath, and the extraction site appears dry.
Dr. Brazdo will apply a medicated dressing to the dry socket to soothe the pain.