Tooth Extractions – Fort Worth, TX
Safely & Gently Removing Troublesome Teeth
No one ever really wants to lose one of their teeth, but in cases of severe damage, a tooth may need to be removed to preserve the health of your smile as a whole. Our dentists here at Fort Dental will try everything they can to repair your tooth, but if they determine that an extraction is in your best interest, they’ll make sure your procedure is as safe and comfortable as possible. To learn more about tooth extractions in Fort Worth, TX, call our dental office today!
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
It’s almost always preferable to keep your natural teeth instead of getting them removed. However, there are a few specific circumstances where a tooth extraction would be the healthiest treatment. We may recommend tooth extractions when:
- Teeth are impacted beneath the gum line and unable to erupt properly, as is common with wisdom teeth.
- A tooth is so extremely decayed or damaged that no other treatment can restore it.
- Orthodontic treatment would otherwise be ineffective.
- Room needs to be made in the mouth for a denture.
- A baby tooth cannot fall out on its own.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
The approach we take to your extraction may vary based on how far the tooth has erupted. If it has fully emerged from the gums, we can often simply “pull” it. After numbing that area of your mouth, your dentist in Fort Worth uses a clasping instrument to rock the tooth back and forth until it breaks free from the gum tissue. If the tooth is partially or fully stuck under the gum line, then we’ll need to implement surgical techniques. We’ll likely create an incision in the gums in order to access more of the tooth. We may also have to break the tooth into smaller pieces and remove them individually.
No matter which type of tooth extraction you need, we’ll go above and beyond to ensure you’re comfortable every step of the way. We’ll use plenty of local anesthetic to numb your mouth, and we also offer sedation to calm your nerves.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Before you step out of our dental office, we’ll provide you with a detailed plan for taking good care of your mouth as you heal from your extraction. Feel free to call us if you have any questions or if you find your discomfort worsening instead of fading away after a few days. Your tooth extraction aftercare tips will most likely include:
- Take your prescribed and over-the-counter pain medication as directed. Ideally, take the first dose before the initial numbness from your procedure wears off.
- Keep the gauze pads in place and change them out as recommended.
- To reduce discomfort and swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for 10 minutes at a time. Then, wait 10 minutes before repeating.
- Do NOT smoke, drink through a straw, or exercise for two to three days.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Stay hydrated with water.
- Maintain a soft food diet for the first few days.