One of our goals at Hawkins Dentistry is to help our patients keep their natural teeth beautiful and healthy for as long as they can. However, there are times when pulling a tooth, or extracting it, is necessary for a variety of reasons. Whatever the reason may be, you will be in great hands with our team during the extraction process.
The prospect of having a tooth pulled may cause you to feel anxious or fearful, but an extraction is a relatively simple procedure that can be performed in our Marysville dental office quickly and safely.
Why would I need a tooth extraction?
Dr. Hawkins will examine your mouth and work with you to make the decision whether to remove a tooth. If your tooth is causing pain because of tooth decay, periodontal disease, infection, or your mouth is overcrowded, an extraction may be the best solution.
Impacted teeth could be another reason for an extraction. It is common to have wisdom teeth removed due to overcrowding and pain. When a painful tooth is removed, the relief you feel can greatly improve your well-being.
What happens when a tooth is extracted?
Dental X-rays will be taken and Dr. Hawkins will thoroughly examine your mouth and the X-ray images. Then, Dr. Hawkins will explain to you exactly what your treatment plan will require. He will begin by giving you a local anesthetic in order to numb the area and block the pain, but you will remain awake and aware of the procedure. The Hawkins Dentistry team will work hard to make you as comfortable as possible throughout the appointment with various sedation methods, as needed. Once numbed by the anesthetic, your tooth will be removed.
What will happen after the tooth is extracted?
Once the tooth is removed a blood clot will begin to form in the tooth socket, the area where the tooth was once located. You will be asked by your dentist or oral surgeon to bite down on gauze to help stop the bleeding. Typically, the bleeding will stop in less than an hour and you will be able to return to your normal activities, within reason.
At the end of your appointment, you will be instructed to avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously, drinking from a straw, or smoking, because a painful condition known as dry socket can happen if the blood clot becomes dislodged from the extraction site. If dry socket occurs, call your dentist, as you would need to come back into the office to have it examined.
After an extraction, our general dentist will go over replacement options that may include dental implants or a dental bridge.
If you live in or near Marysville, Ohio, and believe you may need a tooth extracted, or if you have any questions about the procedure, please contact our office to learn more at 937-204-1538.
