Top Reasons for a Tooth Extraction
Dr. Larsen will only recommend removing a tooth when it’s truly necessary. He’ll examine your mouth before treatment to determine if he can save the tooth or if it needs to be removed. Here are the top reasons why you might need a tooth pulled:
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that emerge during your late teens or early twenties. Sometimes, they don’t have enough room to grow properly and get stuck, or “impacted,” in your gums or jaw. This can lead to pain, swelling, or infection. In this case, Dr. Larsen can perform a wisdom teeth removal to protect your overall oral health.
Severe Tooth Decay or Gum Disease
We may need to remove a badly decayed tooth that we can’t save with a filling or root canal. Gum disease can also cause teeth to become loose or infected. In these cases, removing the tooth helps prevent the infection from spreading and keeps your mouth healthy.
Overcrowded Teeth
Some people have too many teeth for the size of their mouth. It can be hard to clean overcrowded teeth properly, and they can affect how your bite fits together. In certain cases, removing one or more teeth can make room for the others and help prepare your mouth for orthodontic treatment.
The two types of tooth removal are surgical extraction and simple extraction. We recommend a simple extraction when the tooth is fully visible in the mouth. Dr. Larsen will numb the area, loosen the tooth, and gently remove it using special dental tools. He uses this quick treatment for teeth that aren’t damaged below the gum line.
You may need a surgical extraction when the tooth hasn’t fully come in or is broken off at the gum line. This complex extraction may involve making a small cut in the gums or removing some bone around the tooth. Dr. Larsen may recommend this if you have a severely damaged or impacted tooth.
Tooth Extraction in Bountiful, UT
You can get a tooth extraction in one office visit, and we’ll send you home with specific aftercare instructions. To begin the procedure, Dr. Larsen will thoroughly numb the area around the tooth.
As your trusted dentist in Bountiful, UT, he will gently dislodge the tooth by detaching the ligament and securing the tooth in your jawbone using special tools. Then, he’ll rock the tooth back and forth until it’s removed.
Afterward, Dr. Larsen cleans the empty socket and packs it with gauze to prevent infection and help the blood clot. A blood clot needs to form because it promotes the healing process. A small amount of blood, however, is completely normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you want to learn more? We can help. Read answers to common questions about tooth extraction treatment in Bountiful, UT.
What is the aftercare for a tooth extraction?
We recommend leaving the gauze on for a few hours to allow the blood to clot. Rest and relax for the first 24 hours and avoid rinsing out your mouth. Do not use a straw or smoke cigarettes until the extraction site has healed. These activities can dislodge the clot, delay healing, and a dry socket may form.
You can also hold a cold compress to your cheeks to reduce facial swelling. Patients typically recover within a few days of treatment without complication. If you experience excessive bleeding or pain, please contact our office as soon as possible.
Will tooth extraction hurt?
We use a local anesthetic so you only experience slight pressure during a tooth extraction. However, your jaw might be sore for a few days following the procedure. Additional sedation dentistry options are available for patients who are especially nervous about their tooth extraction appointment.
Why do I need to get my wisdom teeth removed?
Because your wisdom teeth often grow in after the rest of your mouth has already developed, these additional teeth can cause an overcrowded mouth. Overcrowding can lead to your teeth shifting or an impacted tooth. Additionally, because wisdom teeth grow in the far back of your mouth, they will be extremely difficult to keep clean if allowed to fully erupt.
What should I do to prepare for a tooth extraction?
It depends on the kind of extraction you’re getting. If you’re only getting local anesthesia, you may not have to fast for your appointment. For wisdom tooth extractions and others where you’re getting more extensive anesthesia, you’ll have to fast for around 12 hours before your procedure. Anesthesia medication can cause nausea, which we want to avoid.
How do I know if the extraction site is healing properly?
The open socket should be mostly healed after three days. At this stage, you might feel some soreness but shouldn’t feel pain. Swelling should be minimal as well. If you experience more severe symptoms like excessive pain or bleeding, contact us immediately.
Does a tooth extraction change the shape of my face?
A wisdom tooth extraction won’t really have an impact on the shape of your face. However, other tooth extractions will. With tooth extraction, the dentist removes the tooth root as well. Without the tooth root, bone loss starts in this area and your face will start to sag as well. We offer many options for tooth replacement to keep your face full and unchanged after the extraction.
Does a tooth extraction impact my brain or eyes?
Some people believe that pulling a tooth can affect your brain or eyes because they think the nerves are all connected. This isn’t true. Removing a tooth won’t hurt your vision or your brain. Tooth extractions only affect the area in your mouth where the tooth is pulled, with no side effects to the rest of your body.
How long will my mouth take to heal after a tooth extraction?
For around 48-72 hours after extraction, the dentist requests that you rest and allow the area to clot properly. After this, you’re able to return to a normal schedule. It takes about 3-4 weeks for the tissue in this area to heal completely.
Do You Need a Tooth Extraction?
Don’t live with excruciating tooth pain, swollen gums, or bite problems. It’s time to visit our office if you think you have a tooth that may need to be extracted. Call Dr. Larsen at 801-295-8881 or schedule an appointment online today.
