Tooth Extractions – Lancaster, TX
Removing Teeth for the Safety of Your Smile
In most cases, the Lancaster Family Smiles team works hard to help patients maintain their healthy, natural teeth, but when tooth extraction is necessary, our skilled restorative dentist and dentistry team are happy to provide these services. As always, we offer these advanced treatments in a pain and stress-free environment. When you need to replace the extracted tooth, we also offer a wide range of tooth replacement options, including implant supported restorations. If you want to learn more about tooth extractions or other dentistry services, call to schedule a consultation to discuss tooth extractions in our Lancaster, TX dental office. We’ll examine your smile, make treatment recommendations, and partner with you to create a personalized plan to deliver a healthy, beautiful smiles.
Why Choose Lancaster Family Smiles for Tooth Extractions?
- Multiple Forms of Sedation for Your Comfort
- Experienced, Compassionate Dentist and Team
- In-House Implant Placements Available
What is a Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction procedures call for the removal of one or more teeth when necessary to ensure the maintenance of oral health. These procedures can be complex, but when performed properly, they can help patients maintain healthy smiles.
Why Would I Need a Tooth Extraction?
Keeping healthy, natural smiles is almost always the best option, but there are some cases where that simply isn’t possible. You may need one or more teeth removed in any of the following situations:
- To prepare the smile for orthodontic treatment when teeth are too crowded to move easily
- To prepare for the design and placement of partial or full dentures, one or more teeth may be extracted
- When a tooth’s structure is too damaged or decayed to support a restoration
- When a primary (baby) tooth does not fall out on its own, impeding the development of adult teeth
- When a tooth is impacted, unable to erupt from the gum line
- Wisdom teeth, third molars, are the most often extracted teeth as they can lead to numerous oral health concerns including crowding and impaction
How are Tooth Extractions Performed?
There are two ways to remove teeth by pulling or surgical extraction. Pulling a tooth is only possible when it has fully erupted from the gum line. We can then use a metal clasp to shift the tooth back and forth until it breaks free from the supportive bone and soft tissue. If the tooth is not fully erupted or does not pull free, a surgical removal is necessary. These surgical extractions typically include cutting away soft tissue, breaking down supportive alveolar bone, and in some cases, we may even split the tooth into two or more parts for easier removal.
What Should I Expect Following a Tooth Extraction?
After your tooth extraction procedure, you will experience some pain and inflammation, but this discomfort should improve rapidly. Typically, symptoms are cleared up within a week of your extraction. If you notice increasing pain or sensitivity, you may be experiencing complications that need to be addressed by our team. Call us right away. We will help you relieve any pain and make a complete recovery.
Tooth Extraction Frequently Asked Questions
Learning you need tooth extractions in Lancaster can feel a bit overwhelming. The idea of having teeth removed is never pleasant; however, the team at Lancaster Family Smiles will always go above and beyond to ensure you remain safe, comfortable, and fully at ease throughout the procedure. Never will we recommend an extraction if it’s not absolutely necessary, so remember, if you are preparing to undergo this type of procedure, it’s because we want to ensure the health of your smile. Below you will find some FAQs to review. If at any point you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Is it necessary to replace a tooth after it has been extracted?
It depends. If you are having your wisdom teeth extracted, there is no need to replace these, as lack of space within the mouth is often one of the reasons these teeth are removed in the first place. However, if you are having any other tooth extracted as a result of decay or damage, it is necessary that you discuss proper tooth replacement once you’ve fully healed from your extraction. This will ensure your jawbone does not deteriorate over time.
Is it necessary to take off work for an extraction?
It is recommended that you take a few days off of work after having a tooth extraction. This is especially true for individuals having their wisdom teeth removed. The reason is that this type of procedure usually requires adequate sedation to ensure you are fully relaxed and experiencing no pain throughout the process. You will likely feel groggy when returning home, and it is important your gums begin to heal properly before resuming normal activity.
If you all you need is a simple extraction that does not require sedation but only local anesthesia, you may be able to rest at home the remainder of the day (and possibly the next) before going back to work.
How can I avoid a dry socket?
A dry socket typically occurs anywhere from 3-5 days after your extraction. Not all patients get them, but if you do, you will likely notice increased pain or experience bad breath as a result. It occurs when the blood clot dislodges from the extraction site. If this happens, you will need to contact your emergency dentist in Lancaster as soon as possible so we can provide a medicated dressing to the area. You will be responsible for changing it out every few days until the clot reforms and you’re no longer experiencing symptoms.
Will dental insurance pay for my tooth extraction?
Depending on your individual insurance plan, it is possible they will cover all or a portion of your tooth extraction. This is also dependent upon your deductible and whether you’ve met your annual maximum. In most cases, dental insurance companies will cover around 50-70% of a major restorative service. If you are uninsured or need help paying the remaining balance, we work closely with multiple third-party financing companies that offer low and no interest payment plans.