We all know that teeth are precious and an essential part of our bodies. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you need a tooth extraction. When that happens, you need answers to questions related to tooth extractions and what can be done to keep your smile. Here at Advanced Dental Associates, we can help get those questions answered for you. We can also help examine your teeth to make a proper recommendation to fit your situation.

What is a Tooth Extraction?

A tooth extraction is a tooth removal. Usually, tooth extractions happen when a tooth is damaged. Accidents or injuries can damage a tooth so much that it must be removed. You may also lose a tooth due to tooth decay. If you get a cavity in a tooth and you take care of it right away, it will be easy to fix. However, if the cavity isn’t discovered, it will continue to grow until it infects the tooth pulp, the inside of your tooth. Once the tooth pulp is infected, if the tooth isn’t treated with a root canal, it will die, perhaps after infecting other teeth. Your tooth will need to be extracted.

You may also need to have a tooth extraction due to overcrowding, where teeth are too close together, in order to have other work done, such as orthodontic work. One of the most common times teeth need to be extracted is when wisdom teeth are impacted, which means they haven’t erupted through the gumline. Sometimes, wisdom teeth can become infected below the gumline, which can cause tooth pain, jaw pain, and headaches.

What Happens After a Tooth Extraction?

After a tooth extraction is complete, you may not need any additional care, especially if your teeth were overcrowded, or if you had wisdom teeth extracted. Once the extraction is complete, you will simply need to follow the dentist’s aftercare instructions.

However, if you have had multiple teeth removed, or you are facing the removal of all of your teeth due to accident, injury, or disease, you need to know that you have options. You may want to opt for dentures. Dentures look more and more lifelike every day, and are made with long-lasting materials. Dentures allow you to eat and drink normally again.

If you want a more permanent option, you may want to consider dental implants. Dental implants look and act the most like real teeth. With dental implants, titanium screws are placed into your gum line and screwed into your jawbone. After the screws heal, the dentist can place the implants. You can decide to get one tooth implanted, or several teeth implanted, or you can opt for the All-on-4® Treatment Concept. With the All-on-4 technique, you can get a full set of teeth on four upper jaw titanium screws and four lower jaw titanium screws. Not only will your teeth look and feel very real, but having dental implants helps you retain your youthful looks as well as help you keep your jawbone mass.

When you’re ready to talk to someone about tooth extractions come to see our friendly staff at Advanced Dental Associates. Why not reach out today and make an appointment by calling us at (210) 714-5589?

For more information, check out our Tooth Extraction FAQ!