TOOTH EXTRACTION
IN HOT SPRINGS, AR
Although the team at Porter Dental Health Clinic offers a wide range of cosmetic and restorative treatments to rehabilitate damaged or decayed teeth, there are some situations where the best course of action is to remove the tooth. Porter Dental Health Clinic will do everything we can to avoid extraction, but sometimes it is necessary.
Tooth extraction is not as scary or painful as you might assume. Our team understands that no one likes the idea of having a tooth pulled, and we are dedicated to doing everything we can to make it a comfortable experience with little to no pain. We have your safety and comfort in mind at all times.
Trusted with providing excellence in oral health
Why Does a Tooth Need to Be Extracted?
Porter Dental Health Clinic may recommend extracting a tooth in the following scenarios:
- The tooth is severely infected and cannot be repaired with a root canal.
- Advanced periodontal disease has caused a tooth to become loose.
- A tooth is impacted, meaning it is blocked from growing into the mouth. This is more common with the wisdom teeth, or the third molars in the mouth, as they are the last teeth to fully develop.
- A tooth has been damaged beyond repair in an accident or due to trauma.
- The teeth are overcrowded.
- There are extra (i.e., supernumerary) teeth that block other teeth from growing into the mouth.
What to Expect During Tooth Extraction
Our team will go to great lengths to ensure you are comfortable during the extraction process and experience as little discomfort as possible.
To begin, the tooth to be extracted and the surrounding jawbone and gums are numbed so you do not feel pain or discomfort. Drs. Porter and Warren use a special instrument to move the tooth back and forth to loosen it. Next, they grasp the tooth and remove it from the gums. Then, they clean the gum socket, smoothing any bone that is left and finally close the opening in the gums with small sutures.
Bleeding is to be expected after an extraction, so Porter Dental Health Clinic recommends you bite down on a piece of gauze for approximately 45 minutes. This helps the blood to clot.
Tooth Removal After-Care
Dr. Porter provides comprehensive instructions for post-extraction care, including medications to take, foods and activities to avoid and how to maintain normal dental hygiene practices. He also explains symptoms and signs to look for that could indicate a rare complication; if you experience such problems, you should contact our office as soon as possible. Healing takes approximately five to seven days, and the gums completely heal in about three to four weeks.
Unless the tooth extracted is a wisdom tooth, Dr. Porter may recommend replacing the tooth with a restoration like a dental bridge, dental implant or partial dentures.
Surgical Extractions
In cases where the extraction process is more complicated, because of the tooth’s shape, size, position or condition, Dr. Porter may refer you to an oral surgeon who has expertise with complex tooth extractions.
How to Schedule a Tooth Extraction
For more information about tooth extractions, or to have a damaged or decayed tooth evaluated, please call or email our office today.
