Tooth Loss / Extractions

In the United States, 20 million teeth are extracted each year. The consequences of tooth loss can have devastating effects on overall health and self-esteem, yet fewer than 10 percent of patients seek information prior to the loss of a tooth. Because of fear, lack of knowledge or finances, many people wait until pain sets in before seeking a solution. By then, it is often too late.

What Causes Tooth Loss?

• Poor oral hygiene habits: If you do not brush and floss daily, decay and gum disease can set in, making tooth loss more likely to happen.
• Poor nutrition: Foods and beverages that are high in sugar, carbohydrates and acid content can sometimes cause irreversible damage to the teeth and gums that lead to tooth loss. Other habits, such as smoking or chewing tobacco, can damage teeth to the point of tooth loss.
• Lack of education about tooth loss: Many people incorrectly assume that tooth loss is inevitable due to age, genetics or family history. A lack of education about the causes and consequences of tooth loss prevents people from taking preventative measures.
• Fear: Many people are afraid to visit the dentist, even if they know they have a problem. Not addressing decay or other serious conditions can prolong the problem and eventually lead to the loss of teeth.
• Finances: Some people place dentist visits low on their list of priorities because they assume that dental care is too expensive. Prolonging visits to the dentist can increase the chances that serious problems will develop.
• Trauma: Babies and young children are most susceptible to losing teeth prematurely due to trauma, mainly because their roots and gums are still developing. Not taking the proper steps to respond to the injury can affect the child's oral health permanently. 

What should you expect when you are scheduled for a tooth extraction?

Your dentist will numb the area to lessen any discomfort. After the extraction, your dentist will advise you of what post extraction regimen to follow, in most cases a small amount of bleeding is normal. Avoid anything that might prevent normal healing. It is usually best not to smoke or rinse your mouth vigorously, or drink through a straw for 24 hours. These activities could dislodge the clot and delay healing. For the first few days, if you must rinse, rinse your mouth gently afterward, for pain or swelling, apply a cold cloth or an ice bag. Ask your dentist about pain medication. You can brush and floss the other teeth as usual. But don't clean the teeth next to the tooth socket.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly positioned. Often, however, problems develop that require their removal. When the jaw isn't large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, they can become impacted (unable to come in or misaligned). Wisdom teeth may grow sideways, emerge only part way from the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.

Extraction of wisdom teeth is generally recommended when:

• Wisdom teeth only partially erupt. This leaves an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause an infection. Pain, swelling, jaw stiffness and general illness can result.
• There is a chance that poorly aligned wisdom teeth will damage adjacent teeth.
• A cyst (fluid-filled sac) forms, destroying surrounding structures such as bone or tooth roots.

Patients should ask the dentist about the health and positioning of their wisdom teeth. The dentist may make a recommendation for removal or send the patient to an oral surgeon for further evaluation. 

OTHER ORAL SURGERY PROCEDURES

Other procedures performed in our office include:

• Implant placements - a permanent replacement for one or more missing teeth.
• Bone graph - place of a bone graph to help support an implant or other dental fixture where boneloss is evident and requires replacement.
• Ginevectomy - trimming of the gum tissue.

Are You An Existing Client?
Click Here To Request Your Next Dental Appointment

Have You Been Referred To Us?
Or, Are You Looking For A New Dentist Or Dental Services?
New Patients And Referrals Are Warmly Welcomed By Your Healthy Smile Team
Click Here To Learn More About Our New Patient Special Valued At $260