Do you have impacted wisdom teeth? Are severely overcrowded teeth affecting your bite? Dr. Stefan Speck can provide a tooth extraction as a general dental treatment in his Oxford, PA, dental office. Many patients think that tooth extractions are painful procedures, but Dr. Speck uses a local anesthetic for tooth extractions. Removing problem teeth can also relieve pain from an abscessed or impacted tooth.
Patients with severely infected teeth, impacted wisdom teeth, or overcrowded teeth benefit from extractions. Dr. Speck will do everything he can before extracting a tooth. Sometimes, a root canal treatment can save your teeth from infection. Other times, we need to remove teeth for the health of your gums and other teeth.
Why Do I Need to Remove My Teeth?
Several reasons why you may need a dental extraction in our Oxford, PA office include:
Tooth Decay or Gum Disease
One of the most common reasons is tooth decay. If a cavity gets too deep and damages the tooth beyond repair, it may need to be pulled to stop the infection from spreading. Gum disease can also lead to tooth removal if it causes the teeth to become loose. As gum disease progresses, patients with advanced gum disease may have loose teeth as the gums recede.
Overcrowding
Sometimes, we need to remove teeth to make room in the mouth. This is common if your teeth are crowded or if you’re getting braces and need space for your teeth to shift.
We can also remove wisdom teeth. Sometimes the third molars can come in crooked, get stuck under the gums, or cause pain and swelling. We provide wisdom tooth extraction in Oxford, PA, for teens and adults with this problem.
Tooth Damage
In other cases, a tooth might be badly broken or damaged from an accident. If we can’t fix your tooth damage with a filling or dental crown, removing it may be the best choice. A severely damaged tooth can injure your other teeth or be prone to a tooth abscess.
Types of Dental Extractions
You can categorize tooth extractions as simple or complex. Simple dental extractions remove teeth that are visible from the gum line. We use complex dental extractions for impacted teeth that have not fully emerged. These extractions take more time and care.
Before Dr. Speck begins extraction treatment, he uses anesthesia on the treated areas. He numbs the teeth and gums so patients don’t feel anything during the procedure. Dr. Speck will recommend dental implants to patients if they have one or more infected teeth removed. Dental implants look and act just like natural teeth. They replace missing teeth at the root and support the bone tissue.
Removing Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth, also known as “third molars”, usually erupt when patients are in their late teens or early twenties. Although not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed, they can cause problems for adjacent natural teeth. If there isn’t enough room in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to erupt, they can become impacted.
Impacted wisdom teeth cause pain and can even dig into the back molars. Visit Dr. Speck’s office if you notice pain behind your molars because it may be time for an extraction.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
Read answers to common questions about tooth extraction treatment in Oxford, PA:
How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?
Depending on the patient, the area can take a few days to a week to heal. You should avoid strenuous activity for at least 48 hours after the tooth extraction. Follow our post-operative instructions for a successful recovery.
Is tooth extraction a major surgery?
Tooth extraction is a surgery, but it is a minor surgery. That means it’s generally less invasive. Tooth removal carries a lower risk of complication than other surgeries.
How painful is a tooth extraction?
It usually isn’t very painful to get a tooth removed. Most people say it feels just a little more uncomfortable than getting a cavity filled. You also might feel some pressure, but we’ll numb the area so you won’t feel sharp pain.
Sometimes, the procedure can hurt more if you have a badly decayed tooth or an impacted tooth. After the tooth is removed, most people can control the pain with medicine you can buy at the store, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Call our dentist if the pain is strong or doesn’t go away. We can help you feel more comfortable.
What should you not do after a tooth extraction?
You should not drink through a straw for the first 48 hours. The sucking motion can cause the clot that forms in the socket to dislodge and the bleeding to start again.
Don’t rinse your mouth vigorously with water or use mouthwash right after surgery. These can irritate the wound and disturb the clot. Also avoid smoking after treatment. Smoking and tobacco products can delay healing and increase the risk of infection.
How many teeth can I pull out in one day?
Most dentists won’t recommend that you pull out as many teeth as you want in one day. The answer to this question since it largely depends on the your oral health and how many teeth you need to have pulled. Consult with Dr. Speck to get an accurate estimate of how many of your teeth they can pull in a day.
How can I prevent dry socket after a tooth extraction?
You can do a few things to prevent dry socket after tooth extraction. First, avoid smoking and drinking water from a straw for the first few days after the surgery. You should also avoid eating crunchy or sticky foods.
Make sure to brush your teeth and floss regularly. Also, keep the surgical site clean and free of debris. If you feel discomfort, take painkillers as prescribed.
Schedule a Tooth Extraction Consultation
Are your wisdom teeth coming in? Ask us if you need a tooth extraction in Oxford, PA. Request a dental appointment with Dr. Speck online or contact Oxford Family Dentistry by calling 610.981.1320.
Let Dr. Speck know if you have any questions at your next visit. He’ll be happy to help.