Tooth Extractions in Dickson, TN

With today’s techniques and technology, there is no reason to worry about a tooth extraction. Having performed thousands of tooth extractions, the team at Dr. Dave’s Healthy Smiles can assure you that the procedure is usually quick, with very little pain or discomfort and minimal aftercare. In many cases, tooth extraction can actually alleviate pain related to a dental infection or a damaged tooth.

Reasons For Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction removes the tooth from its socket, which is its place in the jawbone. The most common reasons to extract a tooth include the following:

• A tooth has become severely infected and the infection is at risk of spreading to the other teeth
• A tooth is too damaged to be saved
• A tooth has weakened due to periodontal (gum) disease
• A tooth is impacted – i.e., stuck in the jaw and blocked from growing into the mouth
• To eliminate overcrowding in the mouth
• To prepare the mouth for orthodontic treatment and create room for the teeth to move and realign

Sometimes our dentists perform tooth extraction on individuals that have had head/neck radiation or chemotherapy. These treatments can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of tooth infections. Another scenario in which they may recommend tooth extraction is before or after an organ transplant; the immunosuppressive medications prescribed after the transplant can also increase the risk of tooth infection.

Our dentists do everything they can to preserve and prolong the life of a natural tooth. But sometimes it is in the best interests of the patient’s health and safety to extract a tooth that cannot be repaired or rehabilitated.

What Happens During A Tooth Extraction?

There are two types of tooth extraction. A simple extraction removes a tooth that can be seen in the mouth. The procedure can usually be performed in the office by one of our general dentists. A surgical extraction is more complicated and usually involves teeth that are stuck in the jaw, have not fully erupted and cannot be seen. Surgical extractions are performed by a dentist or oral surgeon and usually involve removing or altering the gum tissue to expose the tooth, or separating the tooth into pieces before removing it from the socket.

Prior to a simple or surgical extraction, the tooth is completely numbed to prevent pain or discomfort. Patient comfort and safety are extremely important to our team. Sedation medication or anesthesia may also be used for a more comfortable patient experience, depending on the specific circumstances of the case.

With a simple extraction, the dentist grasps the tooth and gently loosens it before removing it from the socket. Special instruments may be used to help expand the socket and make it easier to remove the tooth.

With a surgical extraction, gum and/or bone tissue may need to be removed or lifted and folded back to expose the tooth. If the tooth is strongly attached to the socket, the dentist or oral surgeon may separate the tooth into pieces and remove the pieces one by one.

Depending on the case, the dentist or oral surgeon may suture the extraction site or add a bone graft.

After extraction, our team provides thorough aftercare instructions. Complying with these instructions is important for preventing post-operative complications like dry socket. Healing takes approximately five to seven days.

After the extraction site has healed, our dentists can review the available options for replacing the extracted tooth. Options include dental implants, dental bridges or a partial denture appliance.

Learn More About Tooth Extraction

If you have a damaged or decayed tooth that might need to be extracted, Dr. Dave’s Healthy Smiles invites you to schedule a consultation with our team. You can reach us by calling our Dickson office at 615-813-4303.