Get Help With Troublesome Teeth
Tooth extractions are always our last resort at Tuttle Family Dentistry, but they do have some benefits. While we always try to save your tooth, sometimes an extraction cannot be avoided. With an extraction you can get immediate relief from a tooth that is causing you a great deal of pain or discomfort. Extractions also can help prevent further complications.
For example, extracting a severely infected tooth can help prevent the infection from spreading elsewhere in your body. In addition, there are many options for restoring extracted teeth, such as dental implants, dental bridges, and partial dentures. Give us a call if you are located in Colorado Springs and are in need of oral surgery!
Basic or "simple" extractions are done for fully-erupted teeth that are severely damaged, decayed, or must be removed for any other reason. In this process, the tooth is wiggled loose with a dental elevator, then pulled out using dental forceps. The area is then cleaned and sutured shut so that it heals properly.
Sometimes, wisdom teeth don't grow in properly, or your mouth may not have room for them. When they grow in between the ages of 17-25 they often cause problems with the surrounding teeth. If this happens, they must be extracted. Contact us for a consultation and to see if your wisdom teeth need to be removed.
If your wisdom teeth have not fully erupted and are "impacted," a surgical wisdom teeth extraction will be needed to remove them. In this procedure, your mouth is numbed and cleaned. Then, your doctor will create a small incision in the gum tissue near your wisdom tooth.
Through this incision, they will access the impacted tooth and begin to cut it into small pieces. Then, the entire tooth will be extracted bit-by-bit until it has been completely removed. After this, the site will be disinfected and sutured shut so it can heal.
Regardless of the type of tooth extraction you get, your healing and aftercare instructions will be similar. You will need to carefully follow this set of instructions provided by your dentist in Colorado Springs, CO in order to ensure your mouth heals properly.
You'll need to do things like eat mostly soft foods for at least a week, avoid using straws or spitting forcefully for 24-48 hours, and avoid heavy exercise for a few days after your treatment. It's important to carefully follow the instructions provided to you by your dentist to ensure your mouth heals quickly.
At Tuttle Family Dentistry, we always prioritize your safety and comfort, which is why we offer both nitrous oxide sedation and oral conscious sedation for your tooth extraction appointment. Sedation, along with local numbing, ensures you won't feel any discomfort, and can feel safe and comfortable while you get the care you need in Colorado Springs. Contact us now to learn more about your sedation options!
Before determining that your tooth should be extracted, you'll come in for a consultation with your dentist. An oral exam will be performed to look at the health of your teeth and gums and x-rays will be taken to look at the extent of the damage. This can tell us if the tooth can be saved or needs to be extracted.
For a basic extraction, we'll administer local anesthesia to numb your mouth. Then, we'll use a tool called a dental elevator to loosen the tooth in the socket, rocking it back and forth. By the time we're done with this step, the tooth's ligaments (and nerves) will be completely severed and we can gently remove it with forceps. There are typically no sutures required for this type of extraction.
We will begin the procedure by administering anesthesia. Typically surgical extractions also require a higher level of sedation such as IV sedation or general anesthesia, where the patient is not conscious during the procedure. We will then make an incision into the gums to reveal the wisdom tooth. We may need to cut additional bone to gain access to the wisdom tooth. The tooth is typically sectioned, meaning cut into smaller fragments before being extracted. From here, the teeth are extracted in the same way as basic extractions. However, we will suture the socket closed.
Patients don't always need to have their wisdom teeth removed, especially if they aren't causing any problems and are erupting at the correct angle. The primary reason wisdom teeth are commonly extracted is that they often come in at the wrong angle or are impacted. This makes them difficult to clean and they often push against the surrounding teeth.
Wisdom teeth can cause pain, repeated infections, orthodontic problems, damage to the surrounding teeth, sinus problems, and an increased risk for tooth decay. However, these issues don't always occur in every individual. Some people are lucky and their wisdom teeth grow in without any problems.
We recommend that you come in to have x-rays taken so we can look at their position in your jaw to determine if they will cause problems in the future. Just because you aren't experiencing pain or complications now doesn't mean you won't in the future.
Wisdom teeth removal is only considered urgent if your wisdom teeth are impacted and causing problems such as tooth pain, infection, damage to your other teeth, bleeding, swelling, jaw pain, sensitivity, or fever.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should have your wisdom teeth removed right away in an emergency dental appointment. When the teeth are impacted, they aren't able to completely erupt through the gums. This can cause pain and trap bacteria in gum pockets that lead to infection.
For an emergency removal, contact us at Tuttle Family Dentistry today to schedule an appointment.
At Tuttle Family Dentistry, we understand that the thought of wisdom teeth removal can be daunting, especially when it comes to pain. However, it's important to know that modern dentistry has made significant strides in ensuring patient comfort during procedures.
During a wisdom teeth extraction, you will be under local or general anesthesia, which means you will not feel any pain during the procedure. Post-procedure discomfort varies from person to person. Some may feel minor discomfort and swelling, while others might experience more pain. However, this can be managed effectively with over-the-counter painkillers or prescribed medication. Rest assured, our team at Tuttle Family Dentistry is committed to making your experience as comfortable as possible.
The duration of a wisdom teeth removal procedure can vary depending on several factors such as the number of teeth being extracted and their position. Generally, a single wisdom tooth extraction can take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes. If all four wisdom teeth are being removed, the procedure might take about 1-2 hours. At Tuttle Family Dentistry, Dr. Tuttle and Dr. Bryant take the time necessary to ensure the procedure is done safely and correctly, prioritizing your health and comfort.
The timing for wisdom teeth removal can depend on a variety of factors. Some people may never need their wisdom teeth removed if they're healthy, fully erupted, and positioned correctly. However, if they are impacted, partially erupted, or causing discomfort, removal may be necessary.
Common signs that you may need your wisdom teeth removed include pain, infection, damage to other teeth, cysts, or gum disease. Regular dental check-ups are crucial to monitor the condition and position of your wisdom teeth. At Tuttle Family Dentistry, we provide comprehensive examinations to determine the best course of action for your oral health.
Much like wisdom teeth removal, the duration of a standard tooth extraction can vary. Simple extractions, where the tooth is visible above the gum line, typically take just a few minutes. However, a more complex surgical extraction for a tooth that is broken at the gum line or has not come in yet can take 20 minutes or more.
Regardless of the complexity, at Tuttle Family Dentistry, we ensure that every extraction is performed with utmost precision and care. Our goal is to provide a safe, comfortable, and efficient procedure that contributes to your overall oral health.