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Our Edmonton dentists provide tooth extractions for wisdom teeth, and teeth that are too badly damaged to save.
A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from the dental alveolus in the alveolar bone. Extractions are only performed if less invasive options would be ineffective, or if the tooth is compromising the health of the mouth.
Common reasons for pulling a tooth include excessive tooth damage and problematic wisdom teeth. Teeth are also sometimes pulled to prepare for other dental procedures.
Wisdom teeth emerge later in life than the other teeth. In some cases, they don't cause any problems, but sometimes, they grow in the wrong positions or angles, or there simply isn't enough room for them in the mouth. Specifically, we recommend having wisdom teeth removed to:
Even when wisdom teeth do erupt properly, their location can make them harder to brush and floss, leading to more opportunity for bacteria to grow, and subsequent oral health issues to arise.
If you wait until later in life to have these teeth removed, you may find yourself dealing with issues such as infection, partial eruption or swelling and pain.
This is why we typically recommend having the wisdom teeth extracted - to help preserve a healthy mouth. If they are not removed, they will need continued monitoring by your dentist.
Occasionally, a tooth will be too badly damaged to save. This can happen as a result of dental decay or gum disease, or of an injury to the tooth. In these cases, the tooth must be extracted.
Tooth extraction procedures today are far less painful than ever before, thanks to powerful anesthetics and sedatives, and access to dental technology.
In many cases, a patient who has tooth pulled experiences little or no discomfort, and only minor bleeding. If the tooth is visible in the mouth, the dentist will perform a simple extraction.
Before a tooth is extracted, the area surrounding the tooth is numbed with a topical/and or injectable anesthetic for patient comfort.
We recommend taking the rest of the day off work or school no matter which sedation option you choose, to allow the effects of the anesthesia to wear off.
If the procedure required stitches, these should dissolve after a few days. To help manage swelling or discomfort, you can use an ice pack on your jaw.
Keep soft foods on hand such as rice, pasta and soup, ready to eat, as these will not irritate your wounds. You'll also want to avoid rinsing your mouth too aggressively so the blood clots that form over the site are not disturbed. Only start brushing your teeth after the second day.
If you have any fever, swelling or discomfort that lasts beyond three days, call our office.
Once a tooth has been removed, your dentist will discuss your options for replacements such as dentures and bridges.
Replacing missing teeth will prevent adjacent teeth from shifting and compromising your oral health.
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