Moving Forward with Tooth Extraction

When you were a kid, you may have relished the chance to lose a tooth. Losing a tooth often meant a visit from the tooth fairy, and some sort of collateral for your trouble. When you lose a tooth as an adult, no one is there to offer you money for the exchange, so it can be a frightening prospect. Why then would anyone volunteer to lose a tooth? Tooth extraction may be recommended by your dentist in cases where the original tooth is so damaged that a dental restoration can’t save it. Broken or highly compromised teeth can actually present a danger to surrounding teeth, so it may be that extraction is your best option. What’s important is that you focus on how to proceed as you move forward after tooth extraction.

Your Dentist Will Advise You as to Whether or not a Tooth Should Be Extracted

To be clear, you should never take tooth extraction into your own hands! Your dentist is a professional who can offer expert opinion on what to do. A tooth lacking gum support (due to periodontitis), a tooth with fractured roots, or a tooth with severe infection are all candidates for extraction. Your dentist can evaluate your teeth and make a recommendation. You can also discuss options for oral sedation during the procedure if the idea of tooth extraction makes you anxious or uncomfortable.

How to Move Forward After Tooth Extraction

Once you’ve had your vulnerable tooth extracted, the process is not complete. A missing tooth can create disruptions in your bite balance. You should decide on a prosthetic option to effectively replace the missing tooth. Options like dental implants, partial dentures, and dental bridges can all be used to recreate the appearance and functionality of your missing tooth.

Talk to Your Dentist About Tooth Extraction and Options for Recovery

When the situation calls for it, tooth extraction can be a helpful treatment. You don’t want a damaged tooth to cause problems for other teeth. Talk to Greenhaven Family Dental about how to proceed in cases where you are missing a tooth or need to have a tooth extracted. The expert staff at Greenhaven can determine the option that’s right for you. To make a consultation appointment, contact Greenhaven Family Dental in Baxter, MN at 218-454-0523.