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Tooth Extraction Dallas TX

Tooth Extractions in Dallas

There are many reasons someone may need a tooth extracted, including excessive tooth decay, infection, or crowding. While our priority is always in salvaging viable teeth, we understand that tooth extractions are sometimes necessary.

Dr. Huckin offers simple tooth extraction procedures in our Dallas, Texas dental office. Our office strives to make the tooth extraction process as painless as possible.

Patients requiring tooth extraction may be interested in our sedation dentistry options. Tooth extraction is typically performed using a local anesthetic or oral sedation, depending on the individual needs of the patient.

Painless tooth extractions in Dallas Texas

Do I Need a Tooth Extraction?

We practice conservative dentistry at our office and try to save the natural tooth whenever possible. But extractions are sometimes necessary for your oral health. We’ll do a thorough examination and ensure that we can’t save the tooth before we move forward with extraction.

Usually, a dental crown is the best solution to save a tooth. Crowns treat teeth that are severly decayed or damaged. But extraction is necessary if a crown can’t save your tooth. At a certain point, the infection or trauma is too harmful and it may risk traveling to other parts of the body and causing more damage. Teeth may also require extraction if you have severe periodontal disease or if you’ve had a root canal and are still experiencing severe pain.

You may also need an extraction if your teeth are overcrowded. Teeth can become cramped and it gets difficult for you to clean in between them. They can cause pain and pressure throughout your mouth and jaw. If you need orthodontic treatment to straighten out your smile, we may remove some teeth so that the treatment goes smoother.

Lastly, wisdom teeth are one of the most common dental extractions. Usually, our mouths don’t have the space for this extra set of molars that erupt in the late teens or young adult years. We’ll track the growth and development of your wisdom teeth to determine if they’ll need extraction. Sometimes, teeth are impacted under the surface of your gums and will require a surgical extraction.

What to Expect from a Tooth Extraction

Dr. Huckin gently dislodges the tooth by detaching the ligament securing the tooth in your jaw bone. Then, he will expand the tooth socket by rocking the tooth back and forth until it is able to come out. Afterward, the empty socket will be cleaned out and packed with gauze to prevent infection and help the blood clot.

Immediately following the procedure, it is best that you:

  • Leave the gauze on for a few hours to allow the blood to clot
  • Use a cold compress to reduce any facial swelling
  • Rest and relax for the first 24 hours.
  • Avoid using a straw or smoking cigarettes.
  • Don’t rinse for the first 24 hours.

Dr. Huckin will go over all aftercare best practices with you so that you are informed every step of the way. Patients should expect to feel slight discomfort, swelling, and minor bleeding following the procedure. However, if the bleeding persists or the pain does not go away for several days, contact our Dallas dentist office immediately.

Tooth Replacement Options

Unless we extract your tooth for orthodontic reasons, it’s important to replace your extracted tooth. When you lose the tooth root, the jawbone in that area begins to deteriorate. Your face appears sunken and it prematurely ages you in that area of the face. It can impact your ability to eat or speak clearly, depending on the area where the tooth no longer is. At our office, we offer multiple tooth replacement solutions.

The gold standard of tooth replacement is dental implants. They’re the only option that replaces the tooth root as well as the tooth crown. It comes with many benefits that other replacement options don’t have. Implants are the most stable of tooth replacements, giving you back almost 100% of your bite function. They don’t require much maintenance, either. You can brush and floss them just as you would your natural teeth.

Dental bridges can replace a single tooth or a stretch of consecutive missing teeth. They can be fixed or removable, supported by your natural anchor teeth on each side of the stretch, or dental implants that are placed as anchors. Implant-supported bridges do give you the benefits of dental implants. Traditional bridges, however, require decent upkeep and adjustments and replacements in the future.

For a full arch of missing teeth, we have both fixed and traditional dentures. They either stay in your mouth with suction and adhesive, or attach to as few as four dental implants. Removable dentures are the traditional kind you’re used to seeing. They require specific cleaning and upkeep, while implant dentures can be taken care of much like your natural teeth.

Tooth Extraction FAQs

How long do I have to rest after a tooth extraction?

We recommend that you rest for around 48-72 hours after a tooth extraction. You want to ensure that the blood clot forms properly and that you don’t do anything to disturb it. After this period, you can resume your regular physical activity.

What can’t I do after a tooth extraction?

For the first 24 hours especially, there are a few things you should explicitly avoid. This is when the blood clot is forming and disrupting it can cause dry socket. Don’t do anything that requires you to use mouth suction, like slurping soup or drinking through a straw. Don’t vigorously rinse your mouth or smoke, either. You should also avoid drinking alcohol because this can impact the clotting process.

Does getting a tooth extraction hurt?

We completely numb the area around the tooth we’re extracting to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the entire procedure. You shouldn’t feel any pain, but you will feel some pressure as we extract the tooth. Afterward, you’ll experience some soreness and discomfort for a few days. Over the counter pain medications should be able to relieve this. If you experience intense pain in the days following the procedure, call us immediately.

How long after a tooth extraction can I eat and drink?

Wait about an hour after your procedure to start drinking water. For food, avoid eating until the local anesthesia in your mouth has completely worn off. You don’t want to accidentally bite down on your tongue and not realize it. Stick to only soft foods for at least 24 hours after the extraction and avoid chewing on the side where the extraction took place. You don’t want to do anything that’ll dislodge the blood clot.

How long is tooth extraction treatment?

On average, a tooth extraction can take 30 minutes to an hour. However, the length of your extraction treatment will depend on the number of teeth removed, where the tooth is located, and whether the tooth is above the gum line. Surgical tooth extractions, including wisdom tooth extractions, can take multiple hours. However, you will be under sedation for surgical extractions to ensure you feel comfortable during treatment.

When should I rinse after a tooth extraction?

Though rinsing is recommended for recovery, do not rinse at all for the first 24 hours. After this period, you can start rinsing a few times a day with warm salt water. This assists the healing process and helps keep the area around the extraction site clean.