Extractions In Opelika
When problematic teeth are causing you pain and discomfort, remember that you have options. The goal is always to preserve your natural teeth, but sometimes extractions are the best way to go to save your smile.
Why might I need an extraction?
Unhealthy or problematic teeth aren’t good for your oral health. Our team will always try to save your natural teeth, but sometimes a simple, painless tooth extraction is the best way to get your smile back on track. There are many reasons why a patient may need a tooth extracted. Wisdom teeth tend to cause discomfort that can be alleviated with extractions while some advanced restorative procedures, like dental implants, require the removal of unhealthy teeth. With a gentle technique and local anesthesia, teeth extractions can be quick and painless.
The Benefits of Dental Extractions
Eliminates Pain
From achy wisdom teeth to severe damage, extractions can get you out of pain quickly.
Treatment Prep
Extractions remove problematic teeth and clear the way for prosthodontics, like dental implants or dentures.
Better Oral Health
Removing problematic or painful teeth can improve your oral and overall health.
The Extraction Process
Treatment Plan
Whether you need a one off extraction or several teeth removed in preparation for additional services, your treatment plan is created specifically for you and your needs. You doctor will discuss all options and give you the final sign off so we can get your smile back on track in the way that makes you most comfortable.
Procedure Prep
After cleaning and sanitizing the site, your doctor will numb the area with local anesthesia. Depending on your case, you may only need local anesthesia for your extraction. The goal is to make you as comfortable as possible during treatment.
Extraction & Healing
The extraction itself usually only takes a few minutes. Once the tooth has been pulled, your dentist will clean the area and suture the extraction site if necessary. Recovery typically takes 1-2 weeks. Your doctor will provide you with a comprehensive set of instructions to help your mouth heal as quickly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Tooth extractions may be necessary for patients suffering from an extremely severe cavity, severe damage from oral trauma, or an infected tooth that cannot be saved with root canal therapy. In most cases, it is possible to save your tooth with a crown or root canal therapy, but sometimes an extraction may be your only option.
Improper wisdom teeth growth is the most common reason for tooth extractions. If your dentist sees that your wisdom teeth are impacted or failing to erupt properly, an extraction may be recommended to ensure that your other teeth remain healthy. Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth to be removed, however. Consult with your dentist to find out if your wisdom teeth are or will be a problem.
A tooth extraction may be required if severe periodontal disease is compromising the health of the tooth, causing it to loosen from the gums. Your dentist may want to extract these teeth to prepare you for a strong and long-lasting tooth replacement option, such as dental implants or dentures.
You won’t feel any pain or discomfort during or immediately after your extraction procedure. However, symptoms such as pain, discomfort, swelling, bruising, and bleeding may begin to arise within a few hours following your extraction. While these symptoms tend to peak within the first 2-3 days, they will begin to fade as you continue to heal. Make sure to eat a diet of mostly soft foods for about 5-7 days after your treatment to prevent impact and agitation.
It will take about 1-2 weeks to completely heal from the extraction. By carefully following the recovery instructions provided to you by your dentist, you can enhance the healing progress. It is not normal to endure severe pain and discomfort 1-2 weeks after your extraction, so contact your dentist for a follow-up appointment if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Extractions that are required to remove impacted wisdom teeth, or damaged or decayed teeth, are typically covered by insurance. To fully understand your coverage and benefits, we recommend that you contact your insurance provider.
In many cases, we will recommend a bone graft after an extraction. By performing a ridge preservation graft, we can fill the space left by the extracted tooth to maintain the integrity of your jawbone. Not only does this help preserve your bone, it can also provide a solid foundation for a dental implant in the future.