At Reedy Creek Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we try to avoid having to extract a tooth. However, there are certain situations where extraction is deemed necessary to ensure your smile’s long-term health and function. Dental trauma, severe infection, damage, or overcrowding can be common reasons for tooth extraction. Raleigh, North Carolina, dentist Dr. Emily Ann Reece offers tooth extraction treatment in Cary, NC at Reedy Creek Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. Dental extractions are general dentistry procedures; they help prevent further damage or infection to natural teeth.
Types of Tooth Extraction Treatment in Cary, NC
A simple tooth extraction removes teeth above the gum line, while complex extractions remove teeth below the gum line. We can complete a simple tooth extraction in one visit to our Raleigh, NC dental office. Dr. Reece will use a local anesthetic for your comfort. Before removing the tooth, she will create space between the surrounding gum tissue and the tooth root.
Dr. Reece will pull the tooth from the socket using specialized dental tools and a gentle rocking motion. Finally, Dr. Reece will thoroughly clean the area and place gauze in the empty socket to stop bleeding and reduce the risk of infection in the area.
If you need a complex tooth extraction, it can take longer to complete treatment.
Do I Need a Tooth Extraction?
There are many different reasons you may need to have a tooth extracted. The most common reason for tooth removal is infected or damaged teeth. While we do our best to preserve your natural tooth, sometimes we must remove a tooth for your oral health.
We may also remove a tooth that is damaged or decayed beyond what a root canal or dental crown can heal. We want to eliminate any spread of decay or further injury to your mouth.
Sometimes, overcrowding is a severe issue. There are many treatments for overcrowding, including orthodontic appliances, Invisalign, or traditional metal braces. But when your mouth and teeth are fully developed, it becomes a bit more difficult to treat overcrowding problems. In this instance, we may recommend tooth extraction for comfort and function.
As people reach their late teens and early twenties, wisdom teeth may erupt. Our mouths often don’t have enough room for this extra set of molars, which can cause teeth to overcrowd and overlap, changing our smile and bite. We’ll monitor your wisdom teeth as they develop and recommend wisdom teeth removal if we believe they’ll cause problems with your smile.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Cary, NC
Many patients require a wisdom tooth extraction sometime in their late teens to early 20s. At this time, the wisdom teeth are emerging but not completely formed. Wisdom teeth may cause pain if they come into a small space or at an improper angle. However, when the wisdom teeth erupt for many patients, there is enough space for them to grow.
We do not need to remove healthy wisdom teeth. However, wisdom teeth can be difficult to clean because they are in the back of the jaw. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Depending on where your wisdom teeth erupt, we can treat the gums to maintain the health of the teeth. However,we recommend removing wisdom teeth if you have painful impactions, decay, or gum problems.
Tooth Extraction Post-Op Care
We will provide through instructions to follow after your tooth extraction.
- Eat Soft Foods: We recommend that you eat soft foods and liquids after treatment. You can eat foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and pasta. However, wait until your mouth is no longer numb to begin eating. You can bite your lips, tongue, or the inside of your cheek if you eat while you’re still numb.
- Use Gauze: We will place clean gauze over your tooth sockets. Rplace the gauze as needed and keep them on your tooth sockets until bleeding stops. The gauze helps blood clots form over the sockets.
- Clean Your Teeth Carefully: We do not recommend brushing or flossing directly after treatment. Addititionally, avoid rinsing your mouth to prevent dry socket. Instead, 24 hours after your tooth extraction, you can gently brush, avoiding the extraction site.
What is Dry Socket?
Dry socket occurs when a blood clot dissolves, does not form, or is disloged from the tooth socket. Blood clots act as protective barriers that cover the tooth nerves.
An infection or injury at the extraction site can contribute to dry socket. Dry socket is a highly painful condition; if you develop dry socket, take pain medication and rest. Avoid smoking, tobacco products, and alcohol. You can visit a doctor if you feel extreme pain
Treat Infected Teeth
If you have impacted wisdom teeth or severely damaged or infected teeth, call 919-646-6294 for quality dental care. You may also schedule a consultation with Dr. Reece. She will review your treatment options and create a plan tailored to your dental needs.