Tooth Extractions – Plattsburgh, NY
Removing Unhealthy Teeth to Create Healthier Smiles
Dr. Heins and Dr. Gerner never set out to remove a patient’s teeth since it goes against the goal of most dentists, which is to help individuals maintain their natural smiles for a lifetime. That said, there are some situations that put a patient’s oral health at risk. In that case, we have no other option but to extract the tooth or teeth in question. Rest assured, we’ll ensure your comfort and safety throughout the procedure so you can walk away with a healthier smile. Let us know if you would like to discuss the potential of tooth extractions in Plattsburgh by calling our dental office.
Why Choose True North Dental Group for Tooth Extractions?
- Dentists with Decades of Proven Experience
- Dental Team That Keeps Patients Coming Back
- Same-Day, After-Hours, and Weekend Emergency Appointments
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
It is not normal for our team to recommend tooth extractions; however, certain instances require this type of treatment, such as:
- Overcrowded teeth require orthodontic treatment, but one or more teeth must first be removed to ensure successful results.
- Severe decay is putting remaining healthy teeth at risk of infection.
- Extreme facial trauma leaves one or more teeth badly damaged and no longer functioning.
- A child’s baby tooth will not fall out on its own but must be extracted for the permanent one to erupt.
- Dental prosthetics are being considered, and the remaining teeth are likely to fall out, resulting in the need for extraction.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
There are two different types of extractions:
- A simple extraction: When the tooth in question has broken through the gumline, we can remove it with a simple extraction. This involves numbing your mouth, gripping the tooth, and rocking it loose until it’s ready to be removed. Then, we can tend to the extraction site.
- A surgical extraction: When the tooth is underneath the gumline, we need to create a small incision in your gums first (after numbing your mouth, of course). Then, we can access the tooth and remove it section by section before tending to the extraction site.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Before you leave our office, we will provide you with aftercare instructions to help you heal comfortably at home, like:
- Using a cold compress in 10-minute intervals
- Replacing the gauze pads as needed
- Taking prescribed or OTC pain medication as directed
- Brushing and flossing carefully around the extraction site
- Keeping your head elevated, even while you sleep
Of course, it’s equally as important to avoid doing anything that could delay the healing process, like smoking, drinking through a straw, spitting, or consuming alcohol. Ultimately, if you have any questions during the recovery period, don’t hesitate to call our Plattsburgh office so we can provide you with the answers you’re looking for.