Although teeth are the hardest part of the human body, they are prone to diseases and damage if you don’t take care of them properly. If your teeth are worn down beyond repair due to normal or abnormal use, tooth extraction might be your only option. Peak Dental Arts in North Vancouver provides the most inclusive and comprehensive dental extraction services available. We combine our expertise with our patients’ personal goals to deliver the best treatment plan for every situation.
A tooth or dental extraction is a procedure to remove one or more teeth from the gum socket. It is usually performed by a general dentist, an oral surgeon or a periodontist. The best choice is to preserve your natural teeth, which are vital for shaping your face, eating, speaking and smiling.
However, there are instances when a tooth extraction is necessary. They include the following:
- A tooth is broken or otherwise damaged beyond repair.
- There is severe tooth decay that cannot be repaired with a filling, crown or root canal therapy.
- A tooth is blocking the path of orthodontic treatment.
- Gum disease or periodontitis has caused the teeth to become loose or unstable.
- A tooth is causing systemic health issues, such as heart disease or diabetes.
- Impacted wisdom teeth are causing pain, infection or crowding.
- A tooth is causing recurring oral health problems despite repeated attempts at treatment.
- Tooth fracture or trauma has caused the tooth to become irreparably damaged.
- One or more baby teeth are preventing your adult teeth from emerging.
- A tooth is interfering with speech or eating function.
Tooth Extraction Procedure
It can be beneficial to undergo a tooth extraction procedure because it can prevent pain, infection and other dental problems. A dental extraction involves anesthesia, loosening one or more teeth, extraction, closure and aftercare. At Peak Dental Arts in North Vancouver, one of our experienced dentists will examine your teeth before the procedure to determine the best course of action for treatment and sedation. The type of extraction you need will determine the overall process.
There are two main types of tooth extraction:
Simple Extraction: This type of extraction is performed on a tooth that is visible in the mouth, has erupted fully and is not severely damaged. The procedure typically takes place at your dental clinic. During a simple extraction, your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth and use forceps to loosen and remove the tooth from the socket.
Surgical Extraction: This type of extraction is more complex and is performed on a tooth that is severely damaged or has not fully erupted. A surgical extraction requires an incision in the gum tissue to access the tooth and may require the removal of bone around the tooth. The tooth may need to be cut into pieces to facilitate removal. General anesthesia or sedation may be used during surgical extractions, and an oral surgeon in a hospital or surgical centre often performs the procedure.
Other specialized types of tooth extraction include wisdom tooth extraction, orthodontic extraction and full-mouth extraction.
Before and after a Tooth Extraction
A tooth extraction can enhance your overall oral health; however, the procedure can also cause pain, discomfort, bleeding and swelling on and around the area surrounding the removed tooth. Therefore, it is very important to follow your dentist’s instructions to ensure a safe and successful procedure and recovery.
Your dentist at Peak Dental Arts will provide pre-care instructions before your tooth removal appointment. The instructions usually include abstaining from food for a specified time, arranging transportation to and from your appointment (you may be groggy from anesthesia), avoiding certain medications and only eating soft foods like smoothies, soups or yogurt. Before the procedure, you can feel comfortable speaking with your dentist about any concerns or questions you may have.
After your tooth extraction, follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing and prevent infection. Aftercare instructions typically include rest, how to care for and clean the extraction site, how to safely use ice packs to reduce swelling, the type of pain medication to take and how to monitor the extraction site for complications or infection.
Tooth Extraction in North Vancouver
If you are looking for reliable tooth extraction services, contact Peak Dental Arts. We specialize in general, cosmetic and oral health dentistry and dental surgery. Our dental clinic’s expert team provides comprehensive care to all our patients while including them in the treatment planning process. Our experienced North Vancouver dentists look forward to improving your oral health and caring for all your tooth extraction needs.
Call us at 604-770-2222 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
