Let’s face it – once we lose our baby teeth, this is all we get. We need to preserve our teeth for the rest of our lives. Because while dental implants are fantastic replacements, nothing beats our natural set of teeth so our goal is to keep them as long as we possibly can. But life happens, and so do accidents. It isn’t impossible that you will need a tooth or teeth replaced at some point in your life.
While there are many different reasons for extraction, virtually all extractions fall into one of two classes: simple or surgical. Simple extractions typically involve local anesthetic, and instruments are used to gain leverage and physically loosen and pull the tooth from the patient’s mouth. Surgical extractions, as their name implies, is typically conducted by an oral surgeon under anesthesia, and may involve teeth that are fully beneath the gum tissue, or teeth that require cutting tissue or bone for other reasons.
But you need to know, there is no easy extraction and both surgical and simple extractions require healing – your dentist or oral surgeon may prescribe antibiotics to minimize the chance of infection. Packing the area with gauze will also help to eliminate the chance of food particles becoming embedded in the opening formerly occupied by the removed tooth. Depending on your case, you may also require antibiotics and/or pain killers for the first bit of healing time, but you will soon be good as new. While extraction is fairly common and well understood, there are some potential complications, including infection, bleeding, swelling, and nerve injury.
If you have questions or concerns about teeth extractions, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.
Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.