Tooth Extractions – Lakewood, CO
Restoring Your Oral Health & Protecting Your Smile
No one wants to hear that they need a tooth extraction. Indeed, we consider this treatment to be a last resort option when more conservative methods won’t restore your oral health. If your tooth has a serious infection, then removing it could be the best way to protect your smile from further harm. After your treatment, we can help you choose a suitable tooth replacement so you won’t have to navigate life with a bothersome dental gap.
Why Choose Dedicated Dentistry For Tooth Extractions?
- Same-Day Availability for Dental Emergencies
- Nitrous Oxide Offered for Nervous Patients
- Compassionate & Experienced Dental Team
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
Tooth extractions aren’t just a way to alleviate toothaches, although that is one benefit of treatment. When an infection or gum disease reaches the inner layers of a tooth, it’s important to stop the condition from spreading to more of your pearly whites or to other parts of your body. In severe cases, this situation can cause sepsis and other serious complications. Cavities, too, can become dangerous by causing widespread tooth decay.
We’ll always consider more conservative options (like fillings, root canals, and gum disease therapy) before resorting to an extraction. But it can become necessary if removing one tooth would preserve the health of the rest of your smile.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
If we determine you need a tooth extraction, the very first thing we’ll do is administer a local anesthetic or, if requested, dental sedation. We want you to be as comfortable as possible during your treatment. After we help you feel more at ease, Dr. Henry will gently loosen the tooth. Extraction is sometimes referred to as “pulling a tooth,” but the goal is to get it to gradually slip out of its socket. However, if the tooth is trapped below the gumline, it may need to be surgically removed.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
The anesthetic will keep your mouth numb for a few hours after your extraction. Once it wears off, you can take pain medication to help ease the discomfort. You’ll also have to follow strict aftercare instructions to avoid developing dry socket – a painful condition that can occur when the blood clot protecting a dental socket dislodges. We’ll make sure you have the information you need for a smooth recovery, which will likely include the following guidelines:
- For the first 24 hours, do not smoke, drink through a straw, spit, brush the treatment area, or participate in strenuous activities.
- Lie down with your head elevated, especially while you sleep at night.
- Stick to a soft food diet.
- Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth your tooth was extracted from.
- Get plenty of rest!