Tooth extraction may become necessary for a number of different reasons. Your tooth may be severely infected or damaged, or you need your wisdom teeth removed before they cause major problems. How will you know if your tooth needs to be extracted? Dr. Brent Engelberg of AH Smiles in Arlington Heights, IL explains.
A Last Resort
In most cases, tooth extraction is only considered as a last resort. At AH Smiles, we strive to provide the most conservative treatment for your dental problems to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible. If conservative methods have failed or we don’t believe that they’re feasible in your case, that’s when we may suggest a tooth extraction.
Reasons for Tooth Extraction
There are a variety of reasons a tooth may need to be removed. If you’re experiencing severe tooth decay or have a tooth that’s been extremely damaged in an accident, the tooth may need to be extracted. Teeth are also removed when they are overcrowded and causing problems with your day-to-day life.
Sometimes teeth are removed to help treat malocclusion – the clinical name for the condition that occurs when your bite lines up abnormally. Malocclusion can be the cause of many oral health problems, particularly disorders of the TMJ system. An even bite that comes together evenly helps relieve pressure on your teeth. Treating this condition reduces the chance of broken or cracked teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth usually erupt in the late teens or early twenties. It’s more likely than not that you will need to have your wisdom teeth removed. Very few people are able to keep their wisdom teeth throughout their lifetime without them causing any problems. Wisdom teeth can cause pain, overcrowding, and can be more susceptible to tooth decay as they’re harder to reach to clean properly.
Wisdom teeth can also become impacted in your jaw. This means that they’re emerging at an odd angle, bumping up against your existing teeth and becoming stuck mostly under the gums, causing discomfort and risking damage to your other teeth. Wisdom teeth are usually all removed at the same time through a surgical procedure for which you will be sedated and usually prescribed pain medication while you recover.
The Extraction Process
For a simple tooth extraction, you’ll first receive local anesthetic around the tooth that’s being removed. If you experience dental phobia, we offer sedation dentistry options to ensure you’re calm and comfortable throughout the process.
Once your tooth is numb, the ligaments that connect the tooth to your bone will be slowly severed. The tooth is gently rocked back and forth in the socket to loosen the tooth enough to remove. After the tooth is out, the entire area will be cleaned and packed with gauze. This helps a blood clot to form in the empty space and also helps to keep out food particles and other hazards. You’ll receive aftercare instructions to make sure it heals properly.
Tooth Extraction in Arlington Heights, IL
Are you in the Chicago area and have a tooth that may need to be removed? Call us at (847) 230-9703 or schedule an appointment online to see Dr. Engelberg at AH Smiles in Arlington Heights!