Dental Extractions in Colleyville TX

A Comprehensive Guide to Tooth Removal

Although dentists and oral surgeons always aim to save natural teeth, there are times when this is not possible. In these situations, tooth extraction may be the only solution that your dentist recommends. In some cases, removing a severely damaged tooth can improve oral wellness and create a more beautiful smile.

At Texas Oral Surgery Specialists in Colleyville, TX, you can trust Dr. Chris L. Tye, MD, DDS, to perform minimally invasive extractions whenever possible. While your dentist or oral surgeon may handle simple tooth removal, Dr. Tye at TXOSS collaborates with dental specialists to ensure comprehensive care for more complex issues, such as impacted teeth or severely broken teeth. His precise treatment planning, careful techniques and appropriate sedation ensure the highest level of care.

What is an Extraction?

Tooth extraction is a dental procedure to remove a tooth from the mouth. While a general dentist often performs tooth removal, oral surgeons are uniquely qualified to perform this procedure. Tooth extractions are often necessary to remove wisdom teeth, impacted teeth, and teeth that are damaged beyond repair. An impacted tooth may require surgical extraction, especially if it is deeply embedded in the gum and bone.

The goal of tooth extraction is to remove the affected tooth and promote healing of the surrounding gum tissue and bone. Whether it’s a straightforward removal or a more complex surgical extraction, the procedure aims to alleviate pain, prevent further dental issues, and maintain overall oral health.

Why Are Tooth Extractions Necessary?

Dentists may recommend tooth extraction for various reasons, including tooth decay, infection, or crowding. There are varieties of reasons you may need a tooth removed to preserve your oral health, including:

• Severe decay: Excessive tooth decay may necessitate extraction if a cavity is too large to restore a tooth with a filling or crown.
• Infection: If left untreated, a simple tooth abscess can spread from swelling in the cheek or jaw line to the lungs, bloodstream, or brain. Extracting a severely infected tooth can prevent serious health complications and other serious complications.
• Severe crack: When a crack extends down to the tooth root, your dentist cannot save it with a crown or root canal therapy.
• Root canal failure: Although endodontic treatment can sometimes eliminate infection, the tooth may need to come out in some cases.
• Gum disease: Advanced periodontal disease is chronic inflammation that can affect your overall health including your cardiovascular system. It can cause your gums and jawbone to recede away from your dental roots. The teeth may become loose; if the problem is not addressed in time, you may require one or more extractions.
• Impacted teeth: Sometimes, incoming teeth are not able to fully break through the surrounding gum or bone tissue. In these cases, extraction can help to prevent cysts and cavities in the adjacent teeth. Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to emerge, often leading to complications. An impacted wisdom tooth can lead to pain, infection, and other dental complications, often necessitating removal.
• Pronounced misalignment: If you or your child has extremely misaligned or crowded teeth, Dr. Tye may need to remove teeth before your orthodontist can place braces.
• Not enough room: Wisdom teeth may need to be removed if there is not enough room for them to grow properly, as this can lead to impaction and other dental issues.
• Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions may also influence the decision for extractions; such as compromised immune system, undergoing Head & Neck Radiation Therapy, Chemotherapy, Organ Transplants, Medication Related Jaw Necrosis to name a few.

Role of an Oral Surgeon

An oral surgeon plays a crucial role in tooth extraction, especially in complex cases. These specialized dentists have received an additional four to six years of training in oral and maxillofacial surgery beyond the dental school education of your general dentist, equipping them to handle surgical extractions, including removing impacted wisdom teeth, replacing damaged teeth with dental implants, and treating various oral health conditions. Oral surgeons work closely with general dentists to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. In some cases, oral surgeons may recommend tooth extraction as a necessary treatment option to prevent further health problems. Their expertise in surgical procedures, pain management, and medical management of patients ensures minimal discomfort and a smooth recovery.

Your Evaluation

Prior to any surgical procedure, a thorough review of your medical history, along with an exam and radiographs are necessary. Medical conditions such as Diabetes, Hypertension, and Autoimmune diseases may influence treatment. Specific guidance and precautions are necessary during dental treatment, especially for patients on certain medications including anticoagulants, antiplatelet, immunotherapy drugs, glp-1 semaglutides, or bone density medications to prevent complications. Patients are then presented with a comprehensive treatment plan, and all clinical, insurance, and financial questions are answered prior to any treatment.

The Tooth Extraction Process

Before extracting a tooth, the area is numbed with a local anesthetic to block any pain sensations. You may feel some pressure during tooth extraction, but no discomfort. If you suffer from dental anxiety or fear, we offer additional sedation options to help you relax. With sedation, you will likely not remember the extraction process. In more complex cases, general anesthesia may be used to make you unconscious and ensure you do not feel any pain during the procedure.

If tooth removal is complex and requires surgery, you may feel some pressure and vibration when Dr. Tye removes the bone surrounding the tooth root or sections the tooth (cuts it into pieces) for removal. In some cases, a small gum incision may be made to facilitate the extraction process. After surgery, he may have to close the incision with stitches. To control bleeding, you will be advised to bite down on a piece of sterile gauze over the socket, which helps in controlling the bleeding and promoting blood clot formation.

The extraction socket will typically heal within 1 to 2 weeks, with changes to the bone and tissue surrounding the socket.

Pain Management

Pain management is a crucial aspect of tooth extraction. During the procedure, local anesthesia is used to numb the area to ensure that patients do not feel pain. This nerve block may last for a few hours. Exparel® is offered as a non-narcotic alternative to keep the region locally numb for up to three days, preventing the need for narcotic pain killers. It is essential to follow instructions for pain management to ensure a smooth recovery. While some pain and discomfort are normal after the procedure, these can be effectively managed with medication and self-care, allowing patients to recover comfortably.

Post-Operative Care

After a tooth extraction, it is essential to follow the dentist’s instructions for post-operative care to promote healing and reduce the risk of complications. This includes eating soft foods, applying an ice pack to reduce swelling, and gently rinsing the mouth with salt water. Patients should avoid strenuous activity, smoking, and drinking through a straw for at least three days after the procedure. Additionally, it is important to avoid eating hard and crunchy foods for a few days to allow the extraction site to heal properly. By adhering to these guidelines, patients can ensure a smoother recovery and minimize the risk of issues such as dry socket or infection.

Replacing a Missing Tooth

Bone loss can occur after tooth extraction, so preserving the jawbone through techniques like dental bone grafting and socket preservation is important.

Following extraction, it is crucial to replace your missing tooth or teeth as soon as possible. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone around the empty socket begins to resorb almost immediately. Within a year, you can lose as much as 25% of bone mass in the area, leading to other complications such as slowly shifting teeth and difficulty eating and speaking. Changes in the maxillary sinus area may occur following the removal of upper teeth, as the degree of pneumatization, or enlargement, of the maxillary sinus may increase during the healing process. Discussing treatment options with your dentist is essential to address gaps left by missing teeth.

Texas Oral Surgery Specialists is a premier provider of dental implants in Tarrant County. If you choose to replace your teeth with dental implants, we can include this process in your comprehensive treatment plan. Furthermore, when removing your compromised teeth, Dr. Tye will also properly prepare the extraction sites for dental implant placement. In some cases, dental implants can be placed at the same time as your extraction.

If you need a tooth extracted, Dr. Chris Tye can extract it with minimal pain or discomfort using the latest techniques for faster recovery and reduced downtime. To schedule an appointment, contact our office at Texas Oral Surgery Specialists Phone Number (817) 552-3223.