Most people will need some kind of tooth extraction in their life, usually for wisdom teeth. While it can seem like a big deal, extractions are actually one of the more routine procedures a dentist performs. You may need a tooth extraction in Flower Mound, TX, if you have decay, damage, or tooth crowding. Removing a tooth early on could help prevent further harm to your oral health. While it’s natural to feel nervous before an appointment, knowing more about the process could help you feel more at ease.
How a Tooth Extraction in Flower Mound, TX, Works
Although our teeth are held in place by our jawbone, they aren’t permanently fixed as you might expect. The connection is mostly made of strong ligaments and muscle tissue. So, it’s not like pulling part of your bone out of your mouth. Instead, a tooth extraction works to gently loosen the soft-tissue connection. Using a slow and precise process, your dentist can often break the connection of your tooth from your jawbone without causing any lasting damage.
Loosening the Connection
To help remove a tooth, your dentist will use specialized extraction tools to disrupt the soft tissue. This is mainly done by rocking the tooth back and forth, increasing pressure and angle with each movement. Over time, this process causes the gums and ligaments to shift and break away from the tooth. Once the tooth is sufficiently loosened, your dentist can remove it using forceps.
Protecting the Jaw and Socket
With the tooth removed, your jawbone and the remaining socket could be at risk for further damage. Your dentist may perform a few additional procedures to help keep your oral health high. They may, for example, do bone grafting to prevent bone density loss in your jaw. They will also clean and disinfect the socket, often providing gauze or, in some cases, stitches to promote the healing process.
Impacted Teeth
If your tooth is impacted, your dentist may need to do some additional work to remove it. Typically, they’ll have to cut back a section of the gum in order to expose the tooth. The removal process for an impacted tooth can vary depending on its location and angle. Your dentist may be able to rock it out like a normal tooth, but they may also need to break the tooth into sections and remove each one manually. Prior to starting an extraction, your dentist will take X-Rays of the area to determine the best course of action. If the case appears complicated, they may refer you to an oral surgeon for further treatment.
If you need a tooth extraction, Flower Mound Dental is here to help. We can coordinate with local specialists to help ensure a successful extraction and start the restoration process as soon as possible. Call us today at 972-640-7891 to schedule a consultation and learn more about the extraction process.