My Dental and Implants Eases Pain and Restores Health with Gentle, No-stress Tooth Extractions
While My Dental and Implants focuses on helping you preserve your 32 teeth for life, sometimes, your beloved tooth may need removal. Impacted wisdom teeth, extra teeth, and severely damaged teeth present situations where Dr. Nima Afzalian may recommend extraction.
Few patients look forward to oral surgery, but sometimes, it’s necessary to maintain your oral health. When dental extractions are necessary, we always prioritize your comfort and safety. Thanks to modern dentistry, we offer gentle yet effective extractions in Glendale, Arizona, regardless of the extraction type.
Why does my dentist want to remove my tooth?
We always try everything possible to save your natural teeth with preventive and restorative dental care. We’ll only recommend dental removal when it’s the last resort after all other treatments have failed.
Some reasons your dentist may recommend removing your teeth include:
- To resolve overcrowding
- Severely decayed or damaged teeth
- An impacted or dysfunctional wisdom tooth
- An ankylosed baby tooth preventing the healthy eruption of a permanent tooth
- Advanced gum disease
Some teeth are easier to remove than others, but we always help all our patients enjoy event-free extractions despite the situation. We aim to restore optimal health using the safest, least invasive methods.
What does my tooth removal process involve?
The process starts with an initial consultation to examine your tooth with dental X-rays to determine the best way to extract your tooth. Dental extraction can be simple or surgical, depending on the positioning and damage to your tooth.
- Simple extractions: If your tooth is visible and accessible, a general extraction is all you need to remove it. After anesthetizing your gums, the doctor will use specialized skills and instruments to remove your entire tooth in one piece from its socket. We’ll be as gentle as possible to minimize pain and to cause as little trauma to the surrounding structures.
- Surgical extractions: As the name suggests, this is more extensive than a simple extraction and is often recommended for impacted wisdom teeth or teeth broken at the gum line level. Before the procedure, we’ll precisely administer anesthetics and possibly sedation for maximum comfort. Once fully settled, the dentist will make a small incision on your gums and bone to access the trapped tooth. Often, we’ll break the tooth into several pieces for easier removal. The last step is to clean and suture the surgical site to kick-start healing.
While our immediate concern is to manage your troublesome tooth, we’ll also discuss long-term plans to replace your extracted tooth, except if it’s a wisdom or extra tooth. Leaving your extracted tooth untreated is an option, but spaces in your mouth can create functional and cosmetic concerns. We’ll recommend dental implants and bridges to fill your edentulous gaps and preserve your healthy, beautiful smile.
Understanding Tooth Extractions: Process and Comfort Options
What are extractions? Extractions, as the name shows, it’s removal of an infected tooth that is no longer able to be saved. So with extraction, basically you will get numb, make sure you’re not feeling anything, and then will remove the tooth. Many patients, I have many patients that come to me and they tell me, doctor, we have anxiety. I don’t want to remove this tooth. We have various options of sedation, either oral sedation or moderate sedation or general sedation. We can do it all here at my dental and implants to make sure you’re comfortable to remove your tooth, so we make sure that you’re comfortable, we remove your tooth, and then in a week I’ll see you to make sure that everything is healing well, and that’s the process of extractions.
Does a dentist near me offer extraction services?
Our primary goal is to keep your teeth healthy and functional for life. However, when you need extractions in Glendale, AZ, to preserve oral health, you can expect expert services that fit your short- and long-term goals. Call (623) 300-2550 to schedule an appointment today!
FAQs
Why might I require tooth extraction?
Dr. Nima Afzalian is a dentist who may recommend tooth extractions when necessary for the patient’s overall health and well-being. Some of the more common reasons for a tooth extraction include:
- Severe decay or severe infection that cannot be treated with other dental procedures
- Impacted wisdom teeth (third molars), causing pain or damage to surrounding teeth
- Preparation for treatment, such as braces or dentures
- Trauma or injury to a tooth beyond repair
- Risk of potential infection due to compromised immune system
What are the different types of extractions that may be performed?
There are two primary types of dental extractions: simple and surgical. Simple extraction is considered a relatively quick and straightforward procedure in which the dentist utilizes a special instrument called an elevator to loosen the natural tooth from the jaw before gently removing it with forceps. This type of extraction is typically performed on teeth physically visible in the mouth, such as a damaged or decayed tooth. Alternatively, surgical extraction is a more complex procedure usually performed by an oral surgeon. This procedure requires making an incision in the gum tissue to reach the affected tooth and might require removing bone around the tooth or cutting it into smaller pieces for easier removal.
What can I expect from my upcoming dental extraction appointment?
Your extraction appointment will typically begin with a consultation with Dr. Nima Afzalian to discuss the reasons for the extraction and any concerns or questions you may have. Prior to the procedure, he will also take X-rays of the affected tooth and the surrounding area to determine the best course of action.
During the actual extraction, Dr. Nima Afzalian will use local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth and may also offer sedation options if you are feeling anxious or nervous. The extraction process itself may vary depending on whether it is a simple or surgical extraction, but our dental team will ensure you are comfortable throughout.
How do I care for my smile after tooth extraction?
After your extraction, it is important to follow the aftercare instructions provided by Dr. Nima Afzalian to promote proper healing and prevent complications. These may include:
- Avoiding hot or hard foods for the first few days
- Gently rinsing with a warm salt water rinse to keep the area clean
- Taking pain medication as prescribed
- Using an ice pack on the cheek to reduce swelling
- Avoiding smoking or using tobacco products
- It is also important to maintain good oral hygiene by gently brushing the teeth around the extraction site and avoiding disrupting any blood clots that may have formed.
What are some ways I can prevent the need for dental extractions?
While tooth extraction may be necessary in some cases, there are several ways to prevent the need for it. These include:
- Practicing good oral hygiene by brushing the teeth twice each day and flossing daily
- Visiting Dr. Nima Afzalian regularly for check-ups and cleanings
- Wearing protective gear during any high-impact sports or activities that may cause dental injuries
- Maintaining a healthier diet that is lower in sugary foods and drinks
- Addressing any dental issues promptly before they worsen
By taking care of your teeth and addressing any concerns early on, you can help prevent the need for tooth extractions in the future.
What are my options if I need to replace an extracted tooth?
Depending on your specific situation and preferences, several options are available to replace an extracted tooth. Some common replacement options include:
- Dental implants: Dental implants are considered artificial tooth roots surgically placed in the jawbone to support a prosthetic tooth.
- Fixed bridge: This involves using adjacent teeth to support a prosthetic tooth or teeth, which are then fused together as one unit.
- Removable partial denture: A removable appliance with artificial teeth used to fill in the gap left by the extracted tooth.
Dr. Nima Afzalian will discuss these options with you and help determine the best solution for your smile.
Will I need to have my teeth extracted before orthodontic treatment?
In some cases, it may be necessary to extract one or more teeth before beginning orthodontic treatment. This is often done to create space for the remaining teeth to align properly or to address overcrowding in the mouth. However, with advancements in orthodontic technology and techniques, extractions are not always required for successful treatment. Dr. Nima Afzalian will evaluate your individual case and determine if extractions are necessary for your specific orthodontic needs.
