At our practice, we do everything we can to protect all of your teeth — however, there are certain situations where the only option left is to remove a tooth. This usually occurs when a tooth is severely infected or decayed and posing risks to your overall health.
Dr. Curtin will make sure you’re comfortable during your procedure and satisfied with the results. After your tooth is removed, we can replace it with a natural-looking dental crown. For multi-tooth extractions, we can also use dental bridges or dentures.
When is Tooth Extraction Necessary?
There are a few situations when extracting a tooth becomes necessary. Some of these include:
- Your Tooth is Irreparably Damaged — If left untreated for too long, tooth decay can spread to the center of your tooth, also known as the pulp. This releases harmful bacteria that can result in infection. Teeth that are severely cracked or chipped may also need to be removed.
- Your Tooth is Impacted — A tooth becomes impacted when there’s not enough space in your arch for the tooth to properly erupt. This can be caused by your gum tissue, jawbone, or a surrounding tooth. If they’re not removed, impacted teeth can result in damaged teeth, gum infections, and cysts.
- Your Tooth is Loose from Periodontal Disease — Periodontal disease, also known as gum infection, can affect your health in a variety of ways. One common side effect is that your teeth can become loose. If you have a tooth that’s lost its support due to periodontal disease, extraction may be your best option.
- Your Teeth are Overcrowded — When there’s not enough room for your teeth to move and properly realign, you may need to have one or more of your teeth extracted. This is often used for patients who receive orthodontic treatment, as a way of creating more space to allow your teeth to shift.
Is Tooth Extraction Painful?
We use local anesthetics such as Lidocaine to perform extractions at our office. Dr. Curtin will ensure you’re as comfortable and relaxed as possible during your procedure.
After your surgery, you can expect some swelling and discomfort in your jaw. A cold compress will take care of the swelling and we can prescribe medication for your pain if necessary. In rare cases when the blood clot in your tooth socket breaks loose, dry pockets can form in your mouth. Our dentists can treat this by applying a special sedative gel to the socket.
Visit Dr. Curtin for Tooth Extraction
If you find yourself in one of those unfortunate situations when a tooth needs to be removed, our experienced dentists will use every tool at their disposal to make your extraction a safe and stress-free experience.
The first step is to contact our practice in Winnetka and schedule a consultation with one of our doctors. If you have damaged or decayed teeth, don’t wait any longer — protect your health and revitalize your smile today.
