Tooth Extractions – West Jordan, UT
Protect Your Smile by Removing Problematic Teeth
Our team at Frandsen Dental of West Jordan typically does everything we can to prevent oral issues and preserve your natural teeth. Whether that means filling cavities or performing root canals, it’s usually in your best interests to repair the damage so your tooth functions normally.
However, if you have severe breakage, decay, or other injuries, the structure of your tooth may be too compromised for it to be treated effectively. In these instances, we can protect your smile by removing problematic teeth. Continue reading to learn more about why this procedure is sometimes necessary, and feel free to contact us for additional information.
Why Choose Frandsen Dental of West Jordan for Tooth Extractions?
- Dentist Who Specializes in Complex Procedures
- Flexible Financing & In-House Memberships Available
- Advanced Technology to Enhance Patient Comfort
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
Your teeth are necessary to help you chew food, speak clearly, and smile authentically. They also stimulate your jawbone every time you bite down, which keeps it active and healthy. That’s why it’s generally preferred that your teeth remain in their proper places.
Despite this, there are conditions in which it’s better for your oral health to have them extracted, such as:
- Irreparable decay or other damage that could impact your remaining teeth, gums, or jawbone.
- Making room for orthodontics or a restoration, like dentures.
- Removing an impacted or infected tooth to alleviate the source of pain and disease.
- Helping a child’s stubborn primary tooth to make way for an adult one growing in.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
You might hesitate to schedule your procedure if you’re scared it will be long and agonizing, but understanding more about the process can help set your mind at ease. First, our team will apply a topical anesthetic around the affected tooth to numb the area. Then, if your tooth is easily accessible and has fully erupted from your gums, you’ll probably undergo a simple extraction. This involves gently lifting the tooth from its socket with an elevator device. Next, one of our experts will gently grasp it with forceps and wiggle it until it loosens and slips out.
You'll likely need a surgical extraction if your tooth is infected or impacted. For this procedure, we’ll sedate you so that you remain relaxed and comfortable the entire time. Then, your provider will create a small incision in your gums to access the tooth, which may need to be broken into smaller pieces to be safely removed from your jawbone.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
You’ll be numbed and/or sedated for the procedure itself, so you won’t have to worry about any potential adverse effects until after the medications wear off. Then, your mouth must form a blood clot over the now-exposed nerves and bone tissue to prevent a potentially painful complication called dry socket. To keep it in place, you should follow our post-op instructions orders, which might include:
- Taking any prescribed antibiotics or pain medications exactly as directed.
- For the first 24 hours, rinse your mouth with salt water, which is a natural disinfectant and anti-inflammatory.
- Drink plenty of water from a glass. The suction from drinking from a straw can dislodge the blood clot.
- Quit bad habits. Smoking cigarettes and vapes or drinking alcohol can suppress your immune system, increasing the likelihood of an infection at the extraction site.
- Avoid strenuous exercise. Anything that elevates your heart rate or blood pressure could damage the clot.