Do you have tooth pain caused by an infection? Are your wisdom teeth coming in?
Dr. Samantha Leatherwood provides tooth extraction services to her patients in Denton, TX. Tooth extractions may seem like a frightening or painful process, but our friendly dental team makes sure that patients feel comfortable and relaxed for their extraction treatment.
At Leatherwood Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we utilize sedation dentistry for a painless procedure. Our sedation options include oral conscious sedation, IV sedation, or nitrous oxide. Tooth extractions are meant to take away the pain caused by infections or impacted teeth. Patients feel more comfortable with their smiles after they have healed from the extraction procedure.
Reasons for Needing a Tooth Extraction
- Advanced periodontal disease that has loosened the tooth roots
- Extra teeth or baby teeth that impede adult teeth
- Preparing a patient for orthodontic treatment
- Removing a fractured or malformed tooth
- Severe tooth decay which cannot be remedied with other tooth-saving treatments
Simple v. Surgical Extractions
Tooth extractions are general dental treatments that may be surgical or simple. Dentists and oral surgeons perform simple tooth extractions on teeth visible from the gum line. They typically remove these teeth in one piece. Dr. Leatherwood will need to surgical extract a tooth that is not emerging correctly or visible from the gum line. To extract the tooth, a small incision is made in the gums. Typically, the tooth is removed in fragments.
We provide implants and implant-secured solutions to restore teeth that are extracted due to an infection or abscess. Replacing missing teeth after extraction helps to prevent overcrowding and reinfection. Our implant restorations restore teeth at the root for a durable and long-lasting result.
Replacing Extracted Teeth
If you need an extraction due to disease or decay, it is important to replace the tooth as soon as possible after the site has healed. Dr. Leatherwood recommends using dental implant secured restorations. He can replace the tooth with an implant-supported crown.
Multiple extracted teeth can be replaced by two or more implant fixtures and a dental bridge or denture. This missing teeth treatment option is the best solution because it prevents jawbone loss and is more stable. Before the procedure to extract the tooth, Dr. Leatherwood will discuss the pros and cons of all your options.
Removing Wisdom Teeth
Most people’s wisdom teeth, or third molars, emerge in their early 20s or even late teens. A dentist will extract wisdom teeth when they are impacted, causing crowding, or if the patient is unable to care for them properly. Impacted teeth do not emerge properly and can cause problems like crooked and overcrowded teeth, tooth and gum pain, and swelling gums.
Extracting an impacted wisdom tooth or teeth prevents further dental problems. However, not every patient with wisdom teeth will require extraction. We will take x-rays of your wisdom teeth to make sure that they are not going to become impacted.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
How long does it take for the gums to heal after an extraction?
Healing time will be different for each patient. It mostly depends on the location and type of extraction. For most patients. you should expect healing to take about seven fourteen days. However, your recovery time may be longer. Our staff will give you after care instructions to help you heal as quickly as possible.
What is the best way to replace extracted teeth?
Dr. Leatherwood suggests replacing missing teeth with dental implants. No matter how many teeth she removes, an implant supported prosthesis will mimic natural teeth the best. They are also the only option that will prevent bone loss in the jaw. Most people will qualify for them even if they suffer from bone loss.
Do I have to replace my extracted tooth?
Even a single missing tooth can lead to problems. Not only can it be embarrassing, it can also lead to oral health concerns. The surrounding teeth will begin to shift towards the gap. This can lead to bite problems and the development of TMJ disorders. Bone loss is also inevitable after a dentist pulls a tooth.
Will my dental insurance cover a tooth extraction?
In most cases, dental insurance will cover a tooth extraction. This is because most cases are necessary for a patient’s oral health.
How long will a tooth extraction take?
It will take Dr. Leatherwood about 20-40 minutes to pull a single tooth. If you require several extractions, you can expect to spend at least an hour here or longer. Each additional tooth can take anywhere from three to fifteen minutes depending on where each of them are located.
Request a Dental Appointment
Treat infection and impaction with tooth extraction treatment at Leatherwood Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. Call our office at 940.398.0181 or schedule a consultation with us on our website.