Tooth Extractions – Rockwall, TX

Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

The McNew Dental team won’t recommend a tooth extraction unless it’s absolutely necessary. If there’s a chance your pearly white can be saved, we’ll first suggest a treatment like a dental crown or root canal therapy. That said, removing a tooth may be your best option if one (or more) of the following apply:

• The tooth in question has suffered extensive decay or irreparable damage
• You have a severe dental infection that could spread to other teeth
• You’re dealing with advanced gum disease or jawbone loss
• Your baby tooth won’t fall out on its own
• One of your teeth are impacted

The Process of Removing a Tooth

In general, there are two ways to remove a tooth: simple and surgical. Which one you need will depend on your personal situation.

If your tooth has fully emerged and sits above the gumline, Dr. McNew will likely perform a simple extraction. For this method, she’ll numb your mouth and grasp the tooth with special forceps. From there, she’ll rock the pearly white back and forth until it separates from your gum tissue.

In contrast, our team may perform a surgical extraction if your tooth hasn’t fully emerged. This approach would make a small incision in your gums to better reach the tooth. Once the opening is made, we’d be able to grasp the tooth and then remove it.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

You’ll need to be careful even after your tooth is extracted. For that reason, we at McNew Dental will give you post-op instructions to ensure your mouth heals properly. You can expect them to include tips and suggestions like:

• Take prescribed or over-the-counter medications to reduce your discomfort
• Keep the extraction site clean by brushing and flossing around it, though be careful not to touch it directly
• 24 hours after the removal, rinse your mouth with salt water to disinfect the treatment
• Don’t eat hard, crunchy, sour, or spicy foods for a few days, as these would slow the healing process
• Take it easy for a few days so your body can recover

Ultimately, you’ll be better off after getting your tooth pulled. You could avoid complications from infection or decay, as well as reduce any prior dental pain. However, if you seem to have complications from treatment, don’t hesitate to contact our office at once!