Ready for a tooth extraction? At Nautical Dental, we provide outstanding, gentle tooth extractions and restoration here in San Antonio, Texas.
What is a Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction is a standard procedure where the dentist removes the entire tooth from the root. The most common teeth extracted are wisdom teeth, which can overcrowd the mouth if given a chance. Other reasons include teeth damaged beyond repair or deeply infected roots.
How are Teeth Extracted?
First, it is essential to state that Dr. Cornelius will do everything he can to save your tooth. He will only resort to extraction if your tooth is too far gone. Generally, there are five steps in receiving a tooth extraction:
- Numbing the area. Pulling a tooth isn’t fun, especially without anesthesia. Using a medical-grade needle, we administer anesthetic to keep the process comfortable, safe, and effective.
- Tooth extraction. Before we can extract a tooth, we must first enlarge and loosen the tooth socket. We use a plier-like instrument to grasp and pull the tooth out.
- Cleanup. We clean and wash the empty tooth socket. If previously infected, we’ll disinfect the area. Gauze may be applied if bleeding, or use dental stitches with surgical tooth extractions.
- Controlled bleeding. We give you a folded gauze to bite over the removed area. You may need to apply consistent pressure for up to an hour.
- Post-extraction care. After tooth extraction, take the prescribed medication, avoid using a straw for 24 hours, take soft foods, and avoid cigarettes, alcohol, and tobacco for a few days.
Reasons to get a Tooth Extraction?
There are several reasons why you may consider a tooth extraction:
- Wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are extracted regularly for several reasons. While harmless at times, wisdom teeth can lead to further complications such as gum disease, cellulitis, abscess, and tooth decay.
- Infected tooth. A dental abscess is a pocket of pus and oral bacteria built around the teeth’ root. We often pull teeth that are infected or have abscesses.
- Oral treatment. Sometimes, we pull teeth to prepare patients for braces or denture treatment. While rare, removing teeth can significantly improve the result and durability of our other dental treatments.
- Periodontal or gum disease. Periodontitis is the inflammation of the bones and tissues around the teeth. Gingivitis is when the gums surrounding the teeth become inflamed. In either case, tooth extraction may be necessary.
- Too many teeth. While rare, some people are born with too many teeth, not counting wisdom teeth.
- Impacted teeth. Physical injuries can injure teeth beyond repair. Car crashes, a stray baseball, or an extreme sport can wreak havoc on your teeth. If this happens, contact us immediately. We offer emergency dental services with exceptional results.
How to Replace a Missing Tooth?
At Nautical Dental, we provide several options for replacing a missing tooth. Each treatment comes with its pros and cons:
- Dental implants. Dental implants use titanium rods that naturally bond to the natural bone. A connecter, known as the abutment, is placed over the rod. We then use a crown to replace the tooth, which is colored to match your existing teeth.
- Bridges. Bridge treatment is a less-invasive way of replacing a tooth. We will cap the neighboring teeth with a crown and “bridge” the two with an entire tooth in the center. This new tooth will fully replace the missing tooth.
- Dentures. Dentures are an excellent option for those seeking to replace rows of teeth. A full denture covers the entire top or bottom of the mouth, while partial dentures can replace three or more teeth in a row.
- Full-mouth reconstruction. Complete mouth replacement restores your mouth with new teeth, both top and bottom. This process is tailored to the individual and may include dental implants, dentures, crowns, bridges, and more.
Tooth Extractions in San Antonio, Texas
Is a tooth extraction right for you? Feel free to call us with any questions. Dr. Eric Cornelius and our team are happy to address any concerns you may have. With our various treatment options and medical-grade equipment, your teeth are in good hands.