Houston Dental Extractions

Having a tooth extracted may be the lowest cost option available but may be the highest cost option over time. Once a tooth has been extracted, the neighboring teeth may tend to shift over, sometimes significantly. Your dentist may suggest that once the problematic tooth has been removed to replace it with an artificial tooth to avoid shifting teeth.

Healthy teeth may be removed to improve the general oral hygiene of teeth. For example, a tooth may be in a bad position to the point of causing irritation or pain. This case may be applied to wisdom teeth because most wisdom teeth do not emerge properly and may disrupt surrounding teeth.

If a tooth is not able to be repaired, a tooth extraction may be suggested by your dentist or oral surgeon. There are a various number of reasons why your dentist may propose that you have a tooth extracted. Some of these reasons may include:

• Severely damaged tooth that cannot be repaired


• Teeth that are damaged badly and are not good candidates for even a root canal


• Teeth may have advanced gum disease


• Extensively broken, cracked or decayed teeth


• In preparation for braces


• Teeth may be in an incorrect position or nonfunctional


• Wisdom Teeth

If you dentist decides an extraction is necessary, he or she may need to perform x-ray examinations to evaluate the need for an extraction. He or she may perform the extraction or send you to an oral surgeon.

While undergoing an extraction, if you are under local anesthesia, you may feel some pressure but no pain during the procedure. If you do happen to feel pain during the procedure, make sure you let the dentist know.

Once the tooth has been taken out, blood will occur. The blood is able to be controlled in most cases by placing moist, fresh gauze over the extraction site and applying gentle, but firm pressure to that area, usually by biting down on the gauze.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that most people receive in their late teens to early twenties. At times, wisdom teeth can be an asset to the individual if they are healthy and properly aligned, but most times they cause an array of problems. They often require removal because they become misaligned and may disrupt the surrounding teeth.

Wisdom teeth more often than not become impacted and can cause severe problems to neighboring teeth if left untouched. Wisdom teeth are often susceptible to tooth decay because they are often entrapped entirely within the soft tissue, jawbone, or only partly break through the gum. When this happens, the wisdom tooth is deemed as impacted. When a wisdom tooth only partly erupts from the gum, it is easy for bacteria to enter that opening and cause discomfort from partial tooth decay and can even cause gum disease.

Depending on the position of the wisdom teeth, your oral surgeon will choose the best way to remove the tooth. If the tooth is full exposed, then the surgeon will remove the wisdom tooth like any other tooth. However, if the tooth is trapped in the gums, then surgery will be required to extract the tooth from beneath the gums. If this is the case, then you will generally be asleep for the process and will not feel a thing.

After your teeth have been removed you will experience some bleeding and facial swelling. You will receive some pain medications and antibiotics from your oral surgeon to help you recover from the surgery. Food should be restricted to a liquid diet for the duration of the numbing agent. Once the numbing disappears, a soft food diet should continue for a few days. If you are under a narcotic medication, avoid alcohol.

It is important to continue to brush your teeth, but should be noted to avoid the area around the extracted tooth for the first day. After this, brush gently and avoid commercial mouth rinses as this can irritate the site of the extraction.

Potential Complications after Tooth Extractions

Some complications may take place after the removal of teeth, but paresthesia is usually only probable with the removal of the wisdom teeth.

Dry socket is a common occurrence with patients that have had teeth extracted. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot has failed to form in the extraction area, or the blood clot becomes knocked out. If the clot does not form or is dislodged, the healing process will be delayed and you may feel some discomfort. If you experience this, visit your dentist or oral surgeon so they can correct the problem.

Paresthesia is not very common with patients, but can occur. This happens generally with wisdom teeth extraction in which the teeth are trapped in the jawbone usually close to nerves. The nerves may become bruised or damaged during the extraction process.

Make the Call

If you feel you may need a tooth extraction performed, it is best to confer with Dr. Farah before you schedule the procedure to be done. Dr. Farah will take X-rays to confirm whether or not the process must be done. Call us today at 281-320-0400 if you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment.