Most dental professionals, including Dr. Grafton Teets, want their patients to keep their natural teeth. However, there are cases in which extracting a tooth is more beneficial to an individual’s oral health.
What is an extraction?
Tooth extraction, commonly known as pulling a tooth, is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone.
When would a tooth need to be extracted?
Under certain conditions Dr. Grafton Teets may recommend tooth extraction because a tooth is too damaged (broken or decayed) to be repaired.
The most common reasons that a tooth can’t be restored (with a filling or root canal therapy, for example) include:
- Severe infection that has destroyed a significant portion of the tooth and supporting bone structure
- Serious decay that has damaged a tooth beyond repair
- Dental trauma
Extractions may also be recommended when:
- Baby teeth don’t fall out to allow the permanent teeth to come in
- There are too many teeth to fit properly in the mouth (crowding)
How do we get started?
- The first step is an evaluation. Our dentist will need to examine you and have an X-ray to plan the best way to remove the tooth. We will need an updated health history and medication list.
- At this appointment, Dr. Grafton Teets will explain his recommendations and give you a treatment plan. If your extraction is complicated, he may refer you to an oral surgeon. As part of your treatment plan, our dentist will discuss your options for replacing the missing tooth/teeth, such as implants, partial dentures, bridges or full dentures.
- We will schedule your treatment here or schedule with the oral surgeon for you.
What can I expect during my extraction at Gulf Coast Dental Care of Biloxi?
Dr. Grafton Teets and his assistant, Shoretta, use great care to ensure that your tooth extraction in Biloxi, Mississippi, is as comfortable as possible. The extraction is a straightforward procedure. Dr. Teets will numb you with a local anesthetic which will block the pain. You can expect to feel pressure but no pain. Our dentist will remove the tooth and as you heal, a blood clot will form to fill in the bone where the tooth root had been. When you are discharged, you will receive an ice pack and a list of detailed instructions, so you can take care of the extraction site properly. The instructions will also include a list of do’s and don’ts for your recovery to include pain management, activity level, diet, brushing, rinsing and things to avoid. If applicable, you will receive prescriptions.
The staff here at Gulf Coast Dental Care of Biloxi is just a phone call away if you have any questions about your extraction.
Extractions and Dental Anxiety
For some patients, extractions raise their anxiety level more than any other type of procedure. Dr. Grafton Teets is sensitive to this. Please click on this link. It will provide you with information about Sedation Dentistry and what we can offer here at Gulf Coast Dental Care of Biloxi.
We invite you to call 228-273-8989 or visit us today to learn more about tooth extractions and how we can improve your oral health. We are committed to improving your smile!