Tooth Extractions in Denver, CO
Unlike losing a baby tooth, losing an adult tooth is a big deal. Not only is there no tooth fairy coming, but you also lack a replacement tooth underneath your gums! This is partly why dental professionals take extracting a tooth very seriously, as missing teeth can have major consequences on your oral health. At Donald Rice, DDS, Dr. Rice only extracts teeth when absolutely necessary. When done correctly, tooth extractions help preserve the health of your remaining natural teeth. Then, once your tooth is removed, he offers innovative replacement options that help keep your smile healthy and happy! With necessary tooth extractions, Dr. Rice provides pain relief, protects your smile from infection, and keeps your oral health in optimal condition.
When Are Tooth Extractions Necessary?
Dr. Rice aims to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible, only using tooth extractions as a last resort. However, when a tooth is causing pain or endangering your oral health, it may be time to extract it.
Common causes for a tooth extraction include:
- Severe decay and infection
- Advanced gum disease
- Major damage beyond repair
- Problematic wisdom teeth
When treatments like root canals and dental crowns are unable to stop the spread of infection or provide pain relief, an extraction may be the healthiest choice!
If you’re experiencing dental pain or infection, visit Dr. Rice as soon as possible for an emergency appointment. There, he will assess your smile and find an effective solution for your dental problems.
The Tooth Extraction Process
If you need a tooth extraction, Dr. Rice will go over the process with you to ensure you’re informed. Depending on your case, he may use a simple extraction or a surgical extraction.
Simple Extraction
If your tooth is visible above the gums and easily accessible, Dr. Rice will use a simple extraction.
This extraction method involves gently loosening your tooth in its socket using a dental instrument called the elevator. Then, he will slowly remove the tooth with forceps, being careful to apply a steady pressure. Afterwards, he will flush out any debris from your socket and place a gauze on your extraction site to help a blood clot form, which initiates the healing process.
With this quick and less invasive method, patients experience a much faster healing period than with other extraction methods. Whenever possible, Dr. Rice uses simple tooth extractions to protect your smile and help speed your recovery process.
Surgical Extraction
However, if your tooth is broken at the gum line, trapped under your gums, and difficult to reach, Dr. Rice may use a surgical extraction.
This method involves making an incision in your gums to access your tooth. Then, if your tooth is still difficult to extract, he may need to break it into smaller pieces and pull each piece out individually. Once your troublesome tooth is gone, he will flush away debris and clear any signs of infection from your extraction site.
Finally, he’ll help you form a blood clot and stitch your gums up to facilitate your body’s natural healing process. While recovering from a surgical extraction may take a little longer than healing from a simple extraction, the process is still relatively simple and incredibly safe.
Also, it’s important to note that impacted teeth (which are usually wisdom teeth) will involve a more complex procedure. If you have an impacted tooth, Dr. Rice will refer you to an oral surgeon equipped to provide specialized care.
Replacing Your Missing Teeth With Dental Implants
Leaving a gap in your smile may seem harmless, but it can result in unfortunate consequences.
Natural teeth have roots that embed in your jaw, stimulating the bone to keep your smile full and healthy. Unfortunately, after losing tooth roots, your jawbone begins to lose bone mass and volume over time. Your remaining teeth start to shift as well, moving towards your missing tooth. This makes eating and speaking more difficult, and creates small spaces that are more challenging to clean.
Often, once you lose one adult tooth, it’s not uncommon to lose another due to decay, gum disease, or trauma.
Fortunately, Dr. Rice offers dental implants, which replace missing teeth! These titanium posts replace your missing tooth roots, stimulating your bone and supporting crowns, bridges, or dentures. With the support of dental implants, these restorations remain secure in your smile, restoring your smile’s function.
Donald Rice, DDS, also offers mini dental implants, which are a smaller and sleeker version of conventional implants. These titanium posts fit into minimal bone and small spaces, making them ideal for those seeking a simpler and less invasive placement process!
While not everyone is eligible, most patients can replace their missing teeth after a tooth extraction with effective and affordable mini dental implants.
Trust Dr. Rice To Keep Your Smile Healthy With Tooth Extractions
Losing an adult tooth has major consequences for your oral health, but it may be necessary in some cases. If your tooth is causing you pain or risking the rest of your smile, Dr. Rice may perform a tooth extraction to keep your smile healthy!
If you think you may benefit from an extraction, book an appointment as soon as possible at Donald Rice, DDS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Rice prioritizes your comfort.
When you visit Donald Rice, DDS, for tooth extractions, he uses a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. Additionally, if you experience dental anxiety, he provides effective sedation dentistry that helps you relax!
Dr. Rice uses oral conscious sedation, most often in the form of a pill. By taking this pill before your treatment and having someone you trust drive you to and from your appointment, you can expect a much smoother dental visit! By the time you arrive for your extraction, you should be feeling very relaxed, but still awake and alert enough to follow instructions.
Afterward, you’ll likely experience some discomfort, pain, and swelling. These effects can be easily managed with over-the-counter medications and by following your recovery instructions closely.
For the first 24 hours after your extraction, stick to soft and cold foods like applesauce, yogurt, and (lukewarm) mashed potatoes. This helps protect your extraction site in its early stages of recovery.
Afterwards, slowly begin incorporating slightly firmer foods, such as eggs and pasta, while being sure to avoid chewing on your extraction site. Then, approximately a week later, your gums should be healed enough to withstand the pressure of your regular diet. However, if chewing causes you immense pain or reopens the extraction site, stop immediately and switch back to softer foods.
After a week of recovery, you can resume your regular eating habits. However, if your gums aren’t healing as they should, be sure to contact Dr. Rice as soon as possible!
Recovering from tooth extractions depends largely on the type of extraction you had.
Simple extractions heal much quicker than surgical extractions, and often with less discomfort. After a surgical extraction, it’s common to experience discomfort, minor bleeding, swelling, and bruising. What makes the biggest difference in your recovery, however, is the steps you take to avoid complications!
Keeping your head elevated, avoiding strenuous activity, and eating soft foods for the first few days are essential for a fast recovery. Additionally, Dr. Rice reminds his patients to never use a straw while their extraction site is healing, as it can significantly disrupt their recovery process! Sucking through a straw can disrupt your blood clot, causing dry socket and other potential complications.
By following the healing instructions provided by Dr. Rice and using over-the-counter medications, patients can expect a relatively fast and comfortable recovery process.