Tooth Extractions – Portland, OR
Keep Your Smile Safe by Having Teeth Removed
In most cases when you have a tooth that has been damaged in an accident or is suffering from decay, our team at Advanced Dental Arts NW will try to save it with a dental crown and/or other types of restorative dentistry. But what about situations where this simply isn’t an option? On occasion, you might need to have a tooth removed if it would otherwise cause problems for the rest of your mouth. As soon as you believe you might need a tooth extraction, call our Portland office.
Why Choose Advanced Dental Arts NW for Tooth Extractions?
- Multiple Modern Solutions for Replacing Teeth
- Emergency Appointments Available
- Compassionate and Experienced Dental Team
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
A tooth extraction is a procedure that needs to be considered very carefully before it is performed. After all, you never want to lose your natural teeth if you can help it. We’ll always opt to try and save the tooth if it’s still viable.
Nevertheless, a tooth extraction might be necessary in a number of situations. For example:
- The damage to the tooth might be so severe that it can’t be repaired.
- There could be a severe infection that can’t be treated with a root canal.
- Advanced gum disease may have caused bone loss in the jaw, resulting in loose teeth.
- Some teeth (typically the wisdom teeth) might become partially or fully impacted, meaning they fail to emerge from the gums.
- Some younger patients might have baby teeth that don’t fall out on their own when they should.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
A simple extraction can be performed as long as the tooth in question has emerged above the gumline. For this procedure, the tooth is rocked back and forth with forceps to gradually loosen it until it can be taken out of the jaw. We’ll numb your mouth at the beginning of the extraction process, and we’ll be very gentle during the actual removal.
Surgical extractions are necessary for teeth that have not erupted. The gums will be opened so that we can access as much of the tooth as possible. To minimize the amount of bone taken out, the tooth might be removed in sections rather than all at once.
We can explain whether a simple extraction or a surgical extraction is best in your situation if you schedule a consultation with our dental team.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Rest assured that our team will give you detailed instructions for taking care of your mouth after an extraction. Here are some basic steps every patient should follow:
- Take pain relievers as directed.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity for a few days.
- Keep your head propped up while you sleep.
- Avoid hard or crunchy foods while your mouth is healing.
- Keep yourself hydrated, but don’t drink anything through a straw. (Doing so could disturb the blood clot protecting the extraction site.)