Tooth Extractions – Richardson, TX

Why Someone Might Need a Tooth Extraction

After a thorough examination where a number of different treatment plans have been considered, Dr. Shwarts will only recommend extracting a patient’s tooth if:

• It has a large cavity that is starting to spread to the nearby teeth
• The enamel is weak and will eventually crack
• Physical trauma has broken the tooth beyond repair
• More room is needed in the mouth for a new denture
• It’s necessary to make an Invisalign treatment effective
• Gum disease has severely damaged the bone needed to support a tooth

The Tooth Extraction Process

Tooth extractions in Richardson come in two varieties: simple extractions and surgical extractions.

• Simple extractions are typically performed on erupted teeth that are fully visible in your mouth. The area around the tooth is typically numbed to lower the pain felt during the process. First, we will use a device called an elevator to loosen and lift your tooth. We will then grasp the tooth with a pair of dental forceps and move it back and forth, eventually breaking the periodontal ligaments and loosening it from the bone enough so that it can be taken out of the jaw.
• Surgical extractions are for teeth that have not completely erupted through the gums or have been fractured under the gum line – in other words, whenever it would be difficult to reach the tooth itself. Small amounts of gum tissue or jawbone might need to be removed during this procedure. As for the tooth itself, it can sometimes be removed whole, but in other cases we might need to break it into pieces first.

After Your Extraction

You’ll need to rest for at least 24 hours after the procedure. Do not rinse your mouth or use a straw; a blood clot will form around the area of the extraction, and you don’t want to dislodge it by accident. (Doing so could lengthen healing time.) Use ibuprofen and similar over-the-counter medications to reduce the pain as well as inflammation.

You’ll usually experience much less discomfort after about 3 days, but you’ll still need to be careful. Avoid brushing and flossing near the extracted tooth; you can keep this area clean by rinsing with a warm saline solution. Eat soft foods that don’t require chewing and are less likely to be trapped in the socket, such as soups, yogurt and applesauce.