What You Need to Know About Tooth Extractions

Tooth extraction is not the dreaded experience that you may imagine. Sure, a long time ago, it might have been unpleasant for patients because there weren’t new techniques and instruments available, but modern dentistry has changed all that.

Tooth removal in Okotoks is like any other dental procedure. It won’t be the experience you are looking forward to experiencing, but it is not painful at all.

What Leads to a Tooth Extraction?

You may need to look for tooth removal near you if you:

• Have tooth decay – The most common reason for tooth extraction is tooth decay. The infection may advance and affect the nerve of the tooth and spread to the jawbone. When the damage is irreparable, you will need a dentist near you to extract it.
• Have an impacted tooth – Impacted teeth impact your bite function. Wisdom teeth, for example, tend to get impacted and cause severe pain. When they erupt, they increase your risk of suffering from dental cavities because they are way back in your mouth, and it is hard to brush them.
• Orthodontic purposes – An orthodontist dentist in Okotoks may suggest removing one or many teeth if you lack sufficient space in your mouth. It is not always the first option because it’s best to extend the life of any of your dental pieces, but it may be an alternative to facilitate the alignment of your dentition.

What to Expect of Tooth Removal in Okotoks?

If you need to undergo a tooth extraction, the first thing we suggest you do is to remain calm. We know that nobody looks forward to having a tooth pulled out, but your surgeon will manage the pain before starting by administering a local anesthetic in the area.

Once the area is numbed, they will separate the tooth from the gum line with a dental instrument. The tooth will shift, and you may feel slight pressure but no pain. Then, they will pull it out with a pair of forceps.

In case that you are too anxious about the procedure, you may discuss sedation dentistry with your surgeon. They will sedate you before the treatment so you can feel calm.

What to Expect After the Extraction?

After the procedure, you will feel some discomfort. Even if nowadays techniques are faster and safer for the patient, you still got a tooth pulled out. You may feel mild to moderate discomfort, swelling, and have slight bleeding. You may take any over-the-counter medication to alleviate pain, and your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if necessary.

After a few days, you will notice how you feel better. We strongly recommend that you return to your daily activities the next day, but you must avoid heavy exercise for at least three days.

We suggest that you apply ice packs for ten minutes on/off to reduce swelling. 

Sleeping with your head elevated is also excellent to reduce irritation.

Is Tooth Extraction Expensive?

Tooth extraction is not expensive; however, the cosmetic dental procedures to replace a missing tooth, such as dental implants and porcelain dental crowns, are.

We suggest that you contact your insurance company. They will likely cover the extractions but not the cosmetic dental procedures.

Schedule Your Appointment

If you have any other doubts regarding this or another dental topic, contact our dental offices at your earliest convenience. We have a team of caring professionals who look forward to helping you restore your smile.

Also, you may ask us about our payment methods. We have reasonable prices and offer a wide range of dental procedures for improving our patients’ smiles.