Tooth Extractions – Greenwood, SC

Find Relief from Painful Teeth

While human teeth are incredibly strong and durable, they can be compromised by severe injuries or advanced infections, and it may be necessary to remove a tooth that cannot be saved with restorative treatment. Extracting a troubled tooth can prevent a host of oral health issues like chronic pain and destructive secondary infections, and you can rest assured that extraction is the best thing for your health if your dentist is recommending it. Here’s a quick look at how the extraction process works from the friendly team at Tylan Creek Family Dentistry.

Why Choose Tylan Creek Family Dentistry for Tooth Extractions?

  • Skilled and Compassionate Dental Team
  • Prevent Serious Oral Infections
  • Insurance Welcomed

Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

Lady has oral pain

Tooth extraction is typically recommended as a last resort when a compromised tooth cannot be saved with restorative treatment like fillings or a root canal, but there are some cases when healthy teeth must be removed to protect the patient’s oral health. You may need an extraction due to:

  • Advanced dental infections such as those that cause severe toothaches
  • Injuries that expose the soft pulp tissue inside the tooth
  • Needing to make room for dentures or other restorations
  • Not having enough room in the mouth for necessary orthodontic treatment
  • A child’s primary tooth not falling out on its own
  • The tooth not emerging properly from the gum tissue

Neglecting to have a tooth that cannot be saved extracted can lead to dangerous secondary infections such as dental gangrene and sepsis.

The Process of Removing a Tooth

Dental hygienist smiles

The team at Tylan Creek Family Dentistry will only perform a tooth extraction after the patient has received an appropriate anesthetic to ensure their comfort throughout the process, and some people may also benefit from receiving sedation to help them stay calm and still. Once the patient is suitably numb, our skilled dentist will use a precise device called an elevator to lift the troubled tooth from the gums and work it loose from its connective tissue with forceps. It’s best to replace a removed tooth with a customized restoration such as a denture, bridge, or implant as soon as possible, and we’ll be happy to discuss your replacement options during your consultation at our Greenwood office.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Lady rests on couch

After having a tooth removed, it is important to keep the extraction site clean and avoid disturbing the healing tissues there. We’ll be sure to provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to help ensure your comfort and a smooth healing process, and these will probably include:

  • Taking medications as prescribed.
  • Refraining from tobacco and alcohol use.
  • Preventing dry socket, a severely painful condition that leaves the patient vulnerable to infections. You’ll have to avoid drinking through a straw and spitting.
  • Resting for several days since strenuous exercise can stress the healing tissues.
  • Propping up the head with pillows when laying down to prevent discomfort.

Replacing lost teeth as soon as possible can help prevent a host of oral and overall health issues like dental drift, uneven enamel wear, indigestion, malnutrition, and further tooth loss.