Extractions

Dental extractions involve the removal of a tooth in its entirety. Tooth extraction is performed with the patient under the influence of local anesthesia, as the procedure can be painful. Post the extraction, the dentist will suggest suitable care instructions to facilitate optimum healing of the extraction site.

When would an extraction be necessary?

The dentist would recommend a tooth extraction during the following situations:

• Tooth decay:Whenever a tooth undergoes severe decay, it could advance to the root canal cavity if left untreated. We will consider using medication and other restorations to treat the infected tooth. If no means of treatment helps to fix the tooth, we will have to remove it to keep it from infecting the adjoining teeth.
• Damage: When the teeth sustain damage due to external trauma, they may end up getting chipped, broken, or cracked. Such an oral concern can lead to extreme pain and discomfort, and if left untreated, it can lead to root canal infection. Although we try to restore the tooth using ceramic restorations like crowns or veneers, we may have to extract it if it is damaged severely.
• Orthodontics:Crowding is a type of malocclusion where the teeth are packed too tightly, making them seem to overlap each other. The dentist would have to remove teeth from either side of the jaw to make space for the teeth’ movement and installing orthodontic appliances.

How is an extraction performed?

We will thoroughly diagnose your mouth and determine whether or not you require an extraction. If so, we will prepare you for the procedure. The teeth will be cleaned, and local anesthesia will be administered to the gums near the tooth. This helps to numb the nearby tissues and prevent pain during the extraction. Once the drug takes effect, we will grip the tooth using dental forceps and extract it in one motion. In case the tooth is impacted at an awkward angle, we may have to section it into smaller fragments and remove them individually.

Once the tooth is extracted, we will treat the extraction site and suggest a suitable healing period and medication. For the initial few days after the extraction, it is recommended not to consume anything too hot or spicy or brush near the extracted tooth as it could dislodge the clot.

Please reach out to us to schedule a consultation with our Dentist in Reston VA, and we’ll guide you further. Please call us at (703) 595-4405 or reach us through online consultation.