You may need tooth removal when a damaged, infected, or impacted tooth causes pain. Allen Dental Center is your trusted dental office for comfortable tooth extraction in Allen, TX. There are several reasons we need to pull a tooth; however, we will always do whatever we can to save your natural tooth. Sometimes, a dental filling, root canal, or dental crown is not enough to restore a tooth.
We provide pain-free and affordable dental extractions to remove problem teeth and restore oral health. First, we will take X-rays to determine if you need an extraction or if we can save your tooth. If you need a tooth removed, we will help schedule your treatment.
Common Reasons for a Tooth Extraction in Allen, TX
We may recommend tooth removal for a variety of reasons, including:
- Severe Tooth Decay: A tooth beyond repair due to advanced tooth decay will require an extraction. Your dentist will first attempt to save a tooth with a dental filling or root canal. However, sometimes the damage is too extensive, and an extraction is the only solution.
- Gum Disease: Advanced periodontal disease can cause the supporting tissues of the teeth to recede or weaken due to inflammation and infection. You can also suffer from bone loss. This causes the teeth to loosen, and sometimes they need to be removed. Extractions are also necessary to control the infection and prevent it from spreading.
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Pulling wisdom teeth is a common dental practice. Sometimes, the third set of molars does not have enough room to erupt properly and becomes impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to pain, infection, or damage to the surrounding teeth. In this case, we recommend extracting the wisdom teeth.
- Broken or Fractured Teeth: If a tooth is broken or fractured beyond repair, our dentist will most likely remove the rest of the tooth. Tooth removal will help prevent an infection from developing or spreading. In these cases, we will remove and replace the tooth.
- Infection or Abscess: When a tooth infection extends into the pulp (the innermost part of the tooth), it can cause significant pain and discomfort. In some cases, extraction is necessary to eliminate the source of infection. If you do not treat an infection, an abscess can spread the infection to other parts of the body.
- Extra Teeth (Supernumerary Teeth): Some individuals have extra teeth, a condition known as supernumerary teeth. These extra teeth can disrupt the alignment of the existing teeth and may need removal.
Tooth Extraction in Allen, TX: What to Expect
There are two types of extractions: simple and surgical (complex). A simple extraction is a fairly easy procedure completed during one appointment. Our dentist will use local anesthetic so you will not experience any pain during the procedure. After your tooth is numb, our dentist will use special tools to loosen the tooth and pull it out.
A surgical extraction is more complicated and requires surgical tools to open the gums around the tooth. Once the tooth is removed, sutures close the gums. Even though this is considered a surgical procedure, most patients seem to handle it well with local anesthetic. We may also recommend dental sedation for surgical extractions, which can take hours to complete.
The cost of your tooth extraction will depend on these factors:
- Number of extracted teeth
- Sedation and anesthetic
- Treatment time
After we examine your teeth, gums, and jaw, we will estimate your treatment cost. Simple extractions cost less than surgical extractions because they require less time. Surgical extractions, including wisdom teeth extractions, will cost more. Our dental office accepts Alphaeon and CareCredit payment plans, which can keep treatment within your budget.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
A wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure for young adults in their late teens to early 20s. This is the time frame when the wisdom teeth begin to emerge and sometimes cause problems for the patient. Wisdom teeth are the final teeth to grow behind the molars and are known as the “third molars.” Because of their placement, wisdom teeth can affect other teeth, creating tooth pain and discomfort.
As a general dental office, we provide wisdom teeth removal for our young patients to avoid the many issues these molars can cause. Wisdom teeth are known to cause issues such as:
- Overcrowding
- Teeth shifting
- Tooth decay
- Impaction
- Bite issues
Contact our office when you feel the wisdom teeth growing behind your molars. We will take X-rays to determine if you need a wisdom tooth extraction.
Recovering From a Tooth Extraction
No matter your reason for tooth extraction, you must follow all your aftercare instructions. This crucial step will ensure you have zero complications after your extraction. We recommend that you follow these steps to recover effectively:
Follow your aftercare instructions
Your dentist will provide you with a specific set of instructions to follow. Please read them carefully and follow them, including the instructions on:
- How to take your medication
- What to eat
- How to care for your teeth
- Physical activity restrictions
Control the bleeding
While bleeding is normal after a tooth extraction, you must take steps to minimize bleeding. We will supply you with a clean gauze pad to bite down on. You should do this 30 minutes after the procedure to help control the bleeding. Please avoid spitting the blood out, as this can prolong the bleeding.
Manage the pain and discomfort
Once the numbing medication wears off, you will likely feel uncomfortable and feel some level of pain. We recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to manage the post-extraction pain. However, you should avoid aspirin as it can increase the risk of excessive bleeding.
Control the swelling and bruising
Swelling is common after tooth extraction. Applying an ice pack to the sides of your face for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time during the first 24 hours can help reduce swelling. You may also experience some bruising that is perfectly normal and will resolve on its own.
Maintain a proper diet
Please stick to a soft diet for a few days after the tooth extraction. Eat yogurt, applesauce, pudding, mashed potatoes, soup, or smoothies. Avoid hot, spicy, and hard foods. Most importantly, avoid using a straw because the sucking action can dislodge the blood clot, causing dry socket.
Practice good oral hygiene
Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent infection. Brush your teeth carefully, but avoid the extraction site for the first few days. After several days, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to keep the area clean. We will provide a pipette to remove food from the extraction sites.
Rest
Even though most extractions are simple procedures, you must rest and recover. Please avoid strenuous physical activities for a few days after your tooth extraction. Doing so will increase the blood flow to the extraction site and cause bleeding and discomfort.
Avoid smoking and alcohol
While you are recovering for the first few days, avoid smoking. The sucking motion will dislodge the blood clot causing a dry socket. Smoking also causes dry mouth, which increases the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Additionally, avoid alcohol, as it can interfere with the healing process and increase your risk of complications.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
Read answers to questions about tooth extraction treatment in our Allen, TX, dental office:
Do tooth extractions hurt?
Tooth extractions don’t usually hurt during the procedure because your dentist will numb the area with a local anesthetic, so you won’t feel any pain. You may feel some pressure or movement as the dentist works to remove the tooth, but it shouldn’t be painful.
How long does it take to get a tooth extraction?
For a simple extraction, where the tooth is easily visible and can be pulled out without difficulty, it may only take around 20 to 30 minutes. However, if the tooth is impacted (stuck below the gumline) or requires extra steps. It may take several hours, but you will be under sedation.
Can I get a tooth extraction if I’m pregnant?
Yes, you can get a tooth extraction if you’re pregnant, but talk to our dentist and your doctor first. In general, dentists prefer to avoid doing extractions during the first trimester because that’s when the baby’s development is most sensitive. If the extraction is necessary, our dentist will take special care to make sure it’s safe for both you and your baby.
At what age do you need your wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth are typically removed between the ages of 17 and 25. This is when they start to come in, but many people’s mouths don’t have enough space for them. If wisdom teeth are impacted (meaning they don’t come in properly) or cause problems like pain, infection, or damage to other teeth, it’s often a good idea to have them removed.
However, not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth taken out. Some people’s wisdom teeth come in just fine and don’t cause any issues. Your dentist will keep an eye on your wisdom teeth and may take X-rays to check how they’re developing.
What happens if I don’t get a tooth extraction when needed?
If you don’t get a tooth extraction when it’s needed, it can lead to:
- Constant pain or discomfort
- Infection throughout the body
- Crooked and damaged teeth
- Difficulty eating or talking
When you remove one or more problem teeth, you help prevent damage to other teeth and your gum tissue.
Can I drive myself home after a tooth extraction?
Whether or not you can drive yourself home after a tooth extraction depends on the type of sedation. If you only have a simple extraction with local anesthesia, you can drive yourself home afterward. You will be awake and alert.
However, if you receive sedation, you will feel drowsy and a bit out of it afterward. In this case, you will need someone to drive you home for safety.
Can I smoke after a tooth extraction?
Do not to smoke after a tooth extraction, especially for the first 24 to 48 hours. Smoking can slow down the healing process and increase the risk of complications, like an infection or a painful condition called dry socket.
How much is a tooth extraction?
The cost of your tooth extraction is based on these factors:
- Number of teeth removed
- Type of extraction
- Length of treatment
- Sedation
We will provide an estimate of your treatment cost before treatment.
Get an Affordable Tooth Extraction
We can remove and replace problem teeth with a tooth extraction in our Allen, TX, dental office. Call Allen Dental Center at 972.727.3941. You may also schedule a dental appointment online.