TOOTH EXTRACTIONS WITH PACIFIC NORTHWEST SMILES
Our goal is to keep your natural teeth healthy for as long as possible. We want to prevent damage, cavities, and infections. It’s almost always more convenient and less expensive to keep your natural teeth.
But there are times when a tooth just has to come out. If you need an extraction, we will be there to make you feel comfortable and calm. We can perform all regular tooth extractions, including wisdom teeth extractions, right here at Pacific Northwest Smiles.
WHY DO I NEED A TOOTH EXTRACTION?
We can take care of tooth extractions for many of the common reasons, which include:
- Impacted Teeth: An impacted tooth is one that can’t grow in normally because it’s stuck behind a bone, another tooth, or your gums. If left untreated, impacted teeth can also be painful. Extracting this type of developing tooth can prevent more serious problems.
- Crowding: A tooth that is growing in can sometimes push on other teeth or even crack them. This is common with wisdom teeth. Extracting that one tooth can save a lot of other teeth. It can also help keep your teeth in alignment as well.
- Accidents: During an accident, a tooth can get so damaged that it has no chance of functioning normally afterwards. If a crown or other restorative treatment can’t save it, it’s better to extract the tooth.
- Decay or Infection: If an infection or decay has advanced too far, we sometimes have to extract a tooth, so the problem can’t spread to other teeth. Also, the structure of that tooth might have become too damaged for the tooth to be functional, leading to a root canal or extraction. That is why it is so important to seek dental care as soon as you develop any signs of an issue.
Because our primary goal is to save your natural teeth, we will only recommend an extraction if it will benefit your overall oral health.
HOW YOU CAN SAVE A TOOTH WITH A ROOT CANAL
If you have a painful toothache, you might have a dental infection in the inner tissue of your tooth—the root canal. A root canal procedure may save the structure of your tooth, so you do not need an extraction.
Some patients are scared of root canals, but they’re really just a fairly routine appointment. We can relieve intense tooth pain by cleaning out the infected tissue.
Imagine having your toothache gone and still keeping your strong, healthy enamel! You could get back to eating normally and not have to worry about getting a replacement tooth.
If you have a bad toothache, let us know right away so we can examine the problem and see if we can save the tooth.
Why Would I Need a Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction is recommended when your tooth is beyond repair. Extractions are done if the tooth is decayed, infected, or too damaged from a traumatic injury. Other reasons why someone would need a tooth extraction includes having impacted teeth, overcrowding, and severe periodontal disease. Your dentist will perform an oral exam to know whether or not you will need dental treatment or a tooth extraction.
Is Tooth Extraction Painful?
A lot of people consider tooth extractions to be incredibly painful. However, that is actually not the case; tooth extraction is very quick and painless. Before the tooth is extracted, the dentist provides the patient with a local anesthetic to prevent them from feeling any pain or discomfort. After the process, it is normal to experience discomfort and mild pain. The extraction site may also bleed for a few hours, which can be halted by biting down gauze.
Are There Different Types of Extractions?
Yes, there are simple and surgical extractions. Simple extractions are for teeth the dentist can easily access. Surgical extractions require the dentist to make an incision to the connective tissue. This is done, so the dentist can reach a tooth that is not easily accessible. The most common reason for surgical extractions is having wisdom teeth.
How Long Does Tooth Extraction Take?
The amount of time it takes to complete a tooth extraction depends on the type of procedure. On average, simple extractions can take 30 minutes to an hour. Surgical extractions, however, can take longer to complete depending on how many teeth are being removed and how complex the operation is.
What Are The Risks of Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction is a necessary procedure, but it is not without risks. You may experience swelling, bruising, bleeding, and mild pain. However, if the operation was not performed correctly, it is entirely possible for your other teeth to be damaged, you contract an infection in the extraction site, sustain nerve damage, or have tooth misalignment. If the expected symptoms worsen, or you experience a more severe issue, like nerve damage, contact your dentist immediately.
PATIENT TESTIMONIAL
“Not only was everyone extremely friendly, but went out of their way to make me less nervous. The entire situation was actually very pleasant where i expected it to be horrid. I am no longer freaked out by the dentist!”
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY FOR AN EXTRACTION OR ROOT CANAL
If you have a severely damaged tooth or dental pain, make an appointment right away at (425) 357-6400. We can give you an exam and advise you on the treatments that can either save your tooth or extract it to relieve the problem.