Do you need a tooth removed but are scared of the pain? We provide comfortable dental extractions for all patients. Extractions can also ultimately relieve pain from infected, damaged, and impacted teeth.
We perform tooth extraction treatment as a general dental service in our Lexington, KY office. Learn more about how we can help you with severely broken teeth, infected teeth, damaged teeth, and wisdom teeth.
Comfortable Dental Extractions
Depending on the type of extraction, you can receive local anesthetic or dental sedation. Pulling teeth that are above the gum line is pretty straightforward and might just need some numbing medicine.
More complex extractions like wisdom teeth will require dental sedation. Sedation is a dental tool we use to ensure that patients feel relaxed and don’t feel pain or discomfort during treatment. The types of dental sedation treatments we offer in our office include oral sedation, nitrous oxide, and IV sedation.
We may recommend one sedation method over the other based on your anxieties and medical needs. For instance, we won’t recommend IV sedation for patients who fear needles. We will also not recommend nitrous oxide for patients who have a tough time breathing.
Oral sedation is taken by a pill. Also known as oral conscious sedation, patients may stay awake or conscious during their treatment but won’t feel any pain. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, may leave patients feeling happy or giggly but without discomfort during treatment. IV sedation, also known as twilight sedation, can put patients to sleep, so they will be unaware of their treatment.
Preparing for Your Tooth Extraction: What to Expect
Many patients feel anxious not knowing how to prepare for their extraction. On the day of your procedure, wear comfortable clothing and arrange for someone to drive you home if you’re receiving sedation.
Avoid eating for 6-8 hours before IV sedation, though small sips of water are usually okay. Your dentist will review any medications you’re taking and may adjust them temporarily. Bringing headphones with calming music can help you relax in the dental chair.
The Healing Process: Your Road to Recovery
After your extraction, proper care helps you heal faster. You’ll bite on gauze for 30-45 minutes to control bleeding. Swelling is normal and peaks within 48 hours. Applying ice packs in 15-minute intervals helps reduce it.
Stick to soft foods like yogurt and mashed potatoes for the first few days. Gradually reintroduce firmer foods as healing progresses. Avoid straws for 72 hours as the suction can dislodge your blood clot. Most patients feel significantly better within 3-5 days.
How Tooth Extractions Can Relieve Pain
Dental extractions are the final option for patients with severely infected teeth. If patients have extensive tooth damage and are past the need for a filling or a root canal, we will recommend an extraction. Patients with severe tooth decay may need an extraction as harmful bacteria break down their natural teeth. These bacteria can also affect the nerves within the tooth, which causes increased sensitivity and pain.
Damaged teeth can create pain if patients don’t get the correct restorations to protect their smiles. Living with already damaged teeth can make biting and chewing painful. Infections can also easily enter damaged teeth.
Additionally, most patients will need their wisdom teeth removed. Wisdom teeth can cause pain if impacted, meaning there isn’t enough room for the teeth to emerge. As a result, the wisdom teeth can break adjacent teeth as they grow at different angles.
Visit your dentist regularly to keep track of your oral health. Problems like impacted wisdom teeth and tooth decay can quickly affect your smile’s comfort.
Replacement Options for Extracted Teeth
While some extractions don’t require replacements, many patients want to fill the gap. Dental implants offer the most natural-looking and functional solution, integrating with your jawbone. Bridges can replace one or several missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent teeth.
Partial dentures provide a removable option for multiple missing teeth. Your dentist will discuss which option best suits your needs, budget, and oral health during your consultation.
Recognizing When a Tooth Can’t Be Saved
Some patients wonder why extraction becomes necessary when other treatments exist. Teeth may need removal when decay extends below the gumline, making restoration impossible. Severe fractures that reach the tooth’s root often require extraction.
Advanced periodontal disease that has destroyed supporting bone may leave extraction as the only option. Sometimes, dentists extract teeth for orthodontic reasons when crowding happens. Your dentist will always explore saving your tooth first when possible.
If you need one or more teeth removed, Complete Dentistry for All Ages provides comfortable extractions in our Lexington office. Call us at 859-251-3809 or request a dental exam online with Dr. Morgan Chambers. Don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have a sudden dental problem and want gentile care.