Tooth Extractions in Munster

Why Do Teeth Extractions Become Necessary?

When a tooth is affected by severe decay, infection of its pulp, advanced gum disease or injury, tooth removal may become unavoidable. Dental extraction is also necessary if you have an oral infection plus a deficient immune system or the need for an organ transplant. You may even need a healthy tooth pulled if it is crowding your other teeth. After you lose a tooth, our dentists can help you restore your smile with dentures, dental bridges or implants.

Getting a Tooth Pulled: What Happens?

The following steps occur during a simple dental extraction. Surgical extraction steps may differ.

• Before the extraction, your dentist will numb the area using a local anesthetic. You may feel pressure during the extraction procedure, but you shouldn’t have any pain.
• To loosen the tooth from its socket and break the fibers holding it in place, your dentist will use a tool called an elevator.
• Once loosened, the tooth can easily be lifted and removed with forceps.
• Some bleeding can be expected. Your dentist will pack the tooth’s empty socket with gauze and tell you to bite down on it; this slows the bleeding.

Tooth Extraction Cost

Several factors affect the cost of dental extraction. These include the extraction method, anesthesia type, location of the tooth in your jaw and whether the tooth removal was an emergency or routine procedure. Your overall cost is reduced by your dental insurance coverage. To learn more about tooth extraction in Munster and explore your payment options, contact our office.

When Is Oral Surgery Required for a Tooth Extraction?

You may be referred to an oral surgeon if you have an impacted wisdom tooth or a tooth that would be difficult to remove using a simple extraction method. Because surgical extractions are performed while you are under general anesthesia, you’ll be unconscious during the procedure.

Understanding the Tooth Extraction Healing Timeline

After dental extraction surgery, healing will occur in stages. Post-surgical swelling and discomfort will go away in about a week. Tooth extraction pain is generally mild unless the blood clot in your tooth socket is accidentally dislodged, and you develop a condition called dry socket, which may cause severe pain. Dry socket can be treated with a special dressing that encourages a new clot to form. Your gum tissues should heal in about four weeks, but it may take up to eight months for your jawbone to grow and fill in the empty space left by your tooth.

Dental Extraction Aftercare Recommendations

The following aftercare recommendations apply to most simple extractions. Care guidelines for surgical extractions and full mouth extractions may differ. Always follow your dentist’s specific instructions.

• Don’t smoke.
• For the first 24 hours, don’t drink through a straw as this can cause the blood clot to dislodge..
• Follow your dentist’s dietary recommendations.
• If swelling occurs, apply ice and contact your dentist.

To explore your options for tooth extraction in Munster, call our office today.