Tooth Decay
Great Falls, MT
 Your teeth perform many important tasks. In addition to biting and chewing, your teeth play an essential role in proper speech. They are an integral component of your smile. They are also important for maintaining the health of your jawbone. Because they are so important, saving them is a priority when faced with issues such as damage or decay. If the teeth cannot be saved, extractions may be required. In more complex situations, surgical extractions may be necessary. River's Edge Dental can help.
The Effects of Untreated Teeth
When your teeth are damaged, decayed, or causing other issues, it is important that you seek treatment right away. Without treatment, these issues do not resolve on their own. Damaged and decayed teeth are not as strong as healthy teeth and can split or shatter. Bacteria can also get inside the teeth, which can lead to tooth infections. Infections are not only painful, but they can also cause abscesses and serious health issues.
How Do I Know if I Need an Extraction?
When your teeth are damaged or decayed, the preferred solution is to save them. Common methods of saving teeth include fillings, crowns, and root canals. However, in some situations, teeth cannot be saved. Instead, the best solution is to extract them. Reasons for a tooth extraction include:
| • |
Cracks in your teeth that travel below the gum line.
|
| • |
Fractures completely below the gum line.
|
| • |
Split or shattered teeth.
|
| • |
Significant tooth decay. |
In some cases, your teeth might not be damaged or decayed, but still, require extraction to improve your oral health. These reasons include:
| • |
Overcrowding.
|
| • |
Impacted wisdom teeth. |
Performing Your Surgical Extraction
In simple, straightforward situations, you may only need a simple tooth extraction. With this procedure, the tooth is moved back and forth to loosen it before lifting it out of the socket. However, in more complex situations, such as severely decayed or damaged teeth, damage below the gum line, or impacted teeth, a surgical extraction is necessary.
A surgical extraction is performed under local anesthetic, which ensures that you do not feel any pain. Sedation is also provided if you need help relaxing and remaining calm. We begin by making incisions in your gums, which provide us with access to the roots of the affected teeth and the surrounding bone. We then work to remove the tooth. This may require the removal of a small amount of bone from your jaw. The tooth may also need to be sectioned, or broken, and removed in pieces. Once the tooth has been completely removed, the surgical incisions are sutured closed.
After Your Extraction
Following your surgical extraction, you are provided with aftercare instructions. These instructions will help you to deal with common post-surgical issues such as pain and swelling. They will provide guidance on what to eat, what to avoid, and how to care for the surgical wounds as you heal. After you have fully healed, your extracted teeth can then be replaced. If your wisdom teeth have been extracted, replacement is not necessary.
When your teeth are significantly damaged or decayed, impacted, or presenting other complications, a surgical extraction can help to restore your oral health. In many cases, restorations for your extracted teeth is provided after you have healed. For more information, and to schedule your consultation, call River's Edge Dental today at (406) 315-5882. |
