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Gentle and Professional Tooth Extraction

We do our best to keep your teeth healthy with professional dental cleanings and exams. We work with our patients on techniques and tips to help them keep their teeth forever. However, sometimes a dental extraction is necessary. Whether you damaged your tooth due to trauma, gum disease, deep decay, bone loss, or some other reason, we can assess the situation and let you know if we can save it, or if you’ll need a tooth extraction.

If you need an extraction, our gentle dentist and helpful team will support you every step of the way, including with your tooth replacement options. While we never like to see a patient lose a tooth, our job is to support your health and wellness, and sometimes a troubled tooth must go.

What is the difference between a simple and surgical tooth extraction?

Simple Extractions

A simple extraction is an extraction of a tooth that has already erupted through your gums. Simple extractions tend to be less complicated. We will make sure your jaw is completely numb, so you don’t feel a thing, then loosen your tooth from its socket and gently remove it.

A little bleeding is normal, but it should slow down within about thirty minutes of your procedure. Dr. Gomez may recommend avoiding certain activities such as smoking and drinking through a straw while you heal.

Surgical Extractions in the 77627 Area

Surgical extractions refer to extractions of teeth that have only partially erupted or not at all. We will need to make an incision to access your tooth. Our dentist takes your comfort very seriously and will only perform the procedure once your jaw feels completely numb.

After we make an incision, we gently loosen your tooth and lift it out. With surgical extractions, stitches are often necessary to help with healing. Dr. Gomez will let you know how to care for your specific surgical site. He will also help you with pain management while healing—though tooth extraction is not particularly painful.

If you follow your post-surgical instructions carefully, you should heal promptly.

What are some reasons I might need an extraction?

Decay, Trauma, or Root Canal Failure

A tooth that has suffered deep decay, trauma (including broken below the gumline) or a failed root canal treatment typically needs to be pulled.

Except for blunt trauma, this type of extraction is usually preventable with proper dental care—visiting your dentist twice yearly for exams and teeth cleanings—and an excellent oral care routine at home.

In many cases, these types of extractions are also dental emergencies and present with a toothache, swelling, and a blister on the gum.

Your emergency dentist in Nederland does not want to see you in pain. Always contact our dental team at the first sign of pain or infection.

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Many adolescents and young adults have their wisdom teeth removed. While this surgery is common, it is not necessary for every single patient.

We can take digital x-rays to determine if your wisdom teeth need removal. Sometimes, when they grow at an odd angle or endanger your other teeth by overcrowding, removal is essential to protecting your health and comfort. Wisdom teeth are also notoriously difficult to keep clean because of their location at the back of your mouth.

Before Orthodontics

Sometimes your jaw is too small to accommodate all of your teeth. In this case, teeth may twist and overlap. To help the situation, your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction before orthodontics.

Before Dentures

If you have significant tooth loss, but your remaining teeth are not strong enough to support a partial denture or a dental bridge, your dentist may recommend extraction and then full dentures. 

What tooth replacement options do you offer?

At Nederland Family Dental, we offer a variety of tooth replacement options to help restore your smile following tooth loss. Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to help you decide on the best choice for your smile.

Tooth replacement options include:

  • Dental bridges—a replacement tooth or teeth attached to adjacent teeth to fill your smile gap
  • Dental implants—a surgically implanted replacement root and dental crown (replacement tooth)
  • Dentures and partials—restoration teeth on an arch to fill in for full or partial tooth loss

Do you offer sedation dentistry?

Unfortunately, people with dental phobias are more likely to have cavities and missing teeth. A study in the British Dental Journal found that people with dental phobias had a lower oral health-related quality of life compared to people without dental phobia. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way!

Sedation dentistry in Nederland, TX provides a safe, stress-free way for people with dental phobias to get dental care. Conscious sedation simply involves taking oral medication before your dental procedure. With this type of sedation, you can still answer questions during your procedure, yet feel relaxed and worry-free. Some patients even fall asleep during their dental treatment. Either way, since you won’t be aware of time passing, your dental treatment will be over before you know it.

Before taking advantage of sedation dentistry, your dentist will review your medical history and current medications to determine if you’re a good candidate. On the day of your procedure, you will take the medication in the dental office so your dentist can monitor your vitals. You may feel groggy after the procedure, so you will need a ride home. However, you should feel back to normal the next day!

If you’re interested in learning more about sedation dentistry in Nederland, TX, call the office of Dr. Whitney Gomez to schedule a dental consultation. We’re happy to help ease your worries and give you a stress-free experience.

How can I prevent further tooth loss?

The best way to avoid further tooth loss is to following best practices released by the American Dental Association:
  • Visit your dentist twice each year for dental exams and teeth cleanings.
  • Brush and floss at least twice daily at home.
  • Avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar and acidic.
Your dentist will provide a more customized treatment plan if you have an oral health condition like gingivitis or periodontal disease.

Call Our Nederland Office for a Dental Exam

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