Complications can arise if you ignore an injured tooth. Avoiding these issues and possibly getting a NE Calgary tooth extraction can be as simple as visiting your dentist quickly. While you may require an extraction to prevent further complications and infection, only your dentist can determine the need.
Signs and Symptoms of Needing a Tooth Extraction
Asking your dental clinic in Calgary’s NE to examine your tooth is the first step. There are signs and symptoms that may determine if your tooth needs to be extracted.
- Periodontal Disease – This can negatively impact your teeth and gums, causing infection
- Extreme Damage – Once your tooth is damaged beyond repairing it with a crown or filling, an extraction may be your only solution
- Pain – Are you experiencing discomfort and suffering? Abnormal pain could be an indicator that something has gone wrong with a filling, crown, or previous root canal
- No Space – If you have little to no space for new teeth to grow causing alignment issues, an extraction may be necessary
- Pressure – When you feel pressure on your other teeth due to one tooth crowding them
- Cleaning Complications – If your teeth are so badly misaligned that they can’t be properly cleaned, an extraction may be suggested
- Imperfect Bite – If you have a wonky bite that is making it difficult for you to eat, drink, and speak, then you may need an extraction
- Jaw Pain, Soreness, and Stiffness – Issues with your jaw can arise due to dental complications. You may be able to avoid Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) by having one or more teeth extracted
- Wisdom Tooth Complications – When your last set of molars just won’t cooperate or become impacted
You may run into some of these issues due to a lack of proper brushing and flossing. It is important to take care of your teeth and gums by brushing twice a day and flossing daily along with regular dental visits. Caring for your oral health can prevent the need for a tooth extraction.
Two Types of Dental Extractions
A NE Calgary tooth extraction can be simple or surgical.
- Simple Extraction – A local anesthetic helps with the pressure you may feel as your dentist removes the visible tooth from its socket. It is carefully loosened using a dental tool called an elevator and removed with forceps.
- Surgical Extraction – If your tooth has not erupted above your gums, a small incision is made to gain access to the tooth. Your tooth may be cut out and bone may even be removed, depending on the severity of your tooth extraction case. This is all done with the help of local and IV anesthesia or general anesthesia depending on the circumstances.
Extraction Recovery
Though many people believe recovery takes a long time, it is in fact, only two to three weeks for full recovery. You should rest during the initial recovery phase which is about four days. Your dentist will give you a complete list of what to do and not do after a tooth extraction. Here are some common recommendations:
- Use of antibiotics as prescribed by the dentist
- Rest as much as you can
- Avoid touching the extraction site
- Eating, drinking, and talking are ideally avoided for the first few hours after this type of dental treatment
- Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater and eliminate brushing your teeth for the first two days
- Drinking through a straw should be avoided throughout your healing time
- It is best to consume only liquids and soft foods for the first two weeks of recovery
- Eliminate doing strenuous activities
- Reduce swelling of your face and gums with gradual use of ice packs on the exterior of the extraction area
Follow your dentist’s instructions to avoid a dislodged blood clot. Dry socket can be extremely painful and lead to an emergency dental situation.
Getting to Your Dentist
A NE Calgary tooth extraction can fix a problem but may also be needed if you are getting regular or implant-supported dentures. At Savanna Market Dental, we take care of your teeth whether you need a regular check-up or an intricate treatment. You can eliminate painful dental situations with tooth extractions when necessary.