Although our Grand Rapids dentist at Precision Family Dental will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, it is still sometimes necessary to extract a tooth.
After careful examination and treatment, our tooth extraction dentist may advise you to have a tooth extracted. Before a tooth is removed, your Grand Rapids family dentist will take an x-ray in order to understand the shape and position of the tooth and surrounding bone. Based on the degree of difficulty, we may refer you to a specialist called an oral surgeon.
A tooth may need to be extracted in the case of:
- Severe decay
- Advanced periodontal disease
- Fractured teeth or roots
- Orthodontic correction
- Mal-positioned teeth
- Infection or abscess
- Impacted teeth
For a simple tooth extraction, we will first apply a local anesthetic to prevent pain and discomfort. The tooth will be loosened with a tool called an elevator and then removed with dental forceps. Once the procedure is complete, the area may be closed with one or two stitches.
Why Tooth extractions?
It is critical to keep the extraction area clean to prevent infection. We will provide you with dry, sterile gauze to bite down on for 30-45 minutes to limit bleeding while clotting takes place. For the next 24 hours, you shouldn’t smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously or brush the teeth directly next to the extraction site.
Eliminate any discomfort or pain during the dental procedure!
A certain amount of pain and discomfort is to be expected following a tooth extraction, which can be minimized with a painkiller and ice packs applied to the face for 15 minutes at a time. After a routine extraction, discomfort should lessen within three days to two weeks. If you experience prolonged or severe pain, swelling, bleeding or fever, contact us immediately.
To learn more about our tooth extraction services or to request an appointment with our Grand Rapids tooth extraction dentist Adam Piotrowski DDS, please contact us here or call our office directly at (616) 949-1570. At Precision Family Dental, we work hard to help patients maintain beautiful smiles through quality dental treatments.