Tooth Extractions – Pensacola, FL
Sometimes Removing a Tooth Is the Right Decision
A primary goal in dentistry is to preserve your natural teeth since you only get one set, after all. However, there are circumstances of decay or disease where the best move for your oral health is to have one or multiple tooth extractions in Pensacola. At Patriot Dental, our dentists are prepared to keep you comfortable during the process, and they offer sedation dentistry. Sometimes removing a tooth is the right decision. To learn more, continue reading or contact our office for an appointment!
Why Are Tooth Extractions Necessary?
A tooth extraction will only be considered after all other options have been explored. Our priority will always be to repair your damaged tooth via restorative dentistry like a dental crown or root canal therapy. But there will be situations where tooth extractions are recommended, such as:
- Severe tooth decay
- Severe gum disease
- An impacted tooth – most commonly involves wisdom teeth
- Overcrowding – can make oral care more difficult, cause bite problems, or set the stage for impaction
- Fractured tooth
- Tooth luxation – injury to the tissues, ligaments, or bone supporting your tooth
If our emergency dentist recommends a tooth extraction, it is important to take action, so you do not risk more severe complications in the future.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
Your dentist in Pensacola will assess your affected tooth and surrounding gums, plus take dental X-rays. You will have the option to choose oral conscious sedation to keep you comfortable. Next, local anesthesia will be given to numb the tooth and surrounding gum tissue.
Using specialized instruments, your dentist will gently loosen your tooth and lift it from the socket. If your tooth is badly decayed or has broken off at the gumline, it may be necessary to make incisions in the gums to access it. Once removal is complete, the socket is cleaned and disinfected. Stitches may be placed to promote healing.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
After the extraction procedure, you will receive post-op instructions to help you recover with minimal discomfort. To ensure your mouth heals properly, be mindful of these aftercare tips:
- Drink plenty of water and get some rest to promote healing
- Use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to manage pain and swelling
- Do not drink out of a straw
- Avoid hard, crunchy foods for the first few days
- Eat soft foods like rice, pasta, eggs, yogurt, and applesauce
- Take prescribed antibiotics and pain medications to alleviate discomfort
- Brush and floss carefully around the surgical site to keep it clean
- After 24 hours, rinse with warm salt water to disinfect the site
- Avoid strenuous activity for at least two days
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Since tooth extractions aren’t typically as routine as treatments like checkups or fillings, it’s natural for patients to have questions about this procedure. As always, our team is available to provide the specific answers you’re looking for at your initial appointment or, in some cases, over the phone. However, we know that some patients really value being able to do their research online first. For this reason, we’ve responded to a few of the most frequently asked questions about tooth extractions in Pensacola below.
Does Getting a Tooth Pulled Hurt?
Before the procedure, your mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic by our dentist. If needed, we also offer dental sedation. This will help you feel comfortable during the extraction, and you shouldn’t feel any pain at all! However, expect some soreness and discomfort in the first few days following the extraction. You can easily manage your symptoms by diligently following the aftercare instructions you were given. Taking proper care of your mouth after extraction will not only promote faster healing but lower your risk of infection. If your pain worsens or you begin to exhibit other symptoms like developing a fever, contact our office right away for assistance.
How Should I Prepare for My Tooth Extraction?
Preparing for your tooth extraction is just as important as taking the proper steps for recovery after the procedure. Before your extraction, we’ll answer any questions you have and explain how you can prep for your appointment. Our team here at Patriot Dental will provide you with specific instructions like only drinking water or picking up prescription medication. Make sure you have arrangements for someone to drive you home after the appointment since you’ll likely receive local or general anesthesia.
What’s the Recovery for Tooth Extractions Like?
Once the procedure is complete, your emergency dentist in Pensacola will give you a list of aftercare instructions. These are designed to help you prevent infection and heal comfortably. Some of the most important best practices are getting plenty of rest, keeping your mouth clean, sticking to soft foods, not spitting, and refraining from tobacco use. To keep discomfort at bay, you can place a cold compress against the outside of your cheek for 10 minutes at a time and take over-the-counter pain relievers as instructed. Around the three-day mark, you should begin to feel better.
What Are My Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth?
Filling the gap in your smile following a tooth extraction is essential for both appearance and function. For this reason, we will recommend a dental bridge, dentures, or dental implants. While dental bridges can replace 1-4 teeth, they need to be in a single row for this tooth-replacement solution. Partial and full dentures are a tried-and-true choice that can address moderate or severe tooth loss but cannot stimulate your jawbone to prevent bone loss. Fortunately, dental implants can effectively replace one, a few, or an entire arch of teeth. Since the implant posts are inserted directly into the jawbone, they are incredibly lifelike, extremely stable, and able to last for 20-plus years with proper care.