Extractions & Orthodontic Procedures in Dawsonville, GA
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Did you know…
Surgical tooth extractions are the most common surgical procedure in America.
How it works: The tooth extraction process
Clean & Sanitize
Your doctor will begin by cleaning and disinfecting the treatment site to prepare for the extraction procedure.
Local Anesthesia
To ensure you stay comfortable during the procedure, your doctor will use local anesthesia on and around the extraction site.
Sedation Options
In some cases, we may recommend sedation for your tooth extraction. If you are an anxious patient, feel free to ask about your sedation options. Sedation can help you relax and feel comfortable during longer extraction procedures.
Loosening & Removing The Tooth
Using special dental tools, your Dawsonville doctor will gently begin to loosen the tooth in the socket. Once the tooth is wiggly, they will pull it out with a pair of dental forceps.
Cleaning & Necessary Sutures
After the tooth has been removed, your doctor will clean and disinfect the area. Sutures will be placed on the extraction site to ensure proper healing.
Healing & Aftercare
Once the procedure is complete, you’ll be sent home to recover. We will provide you with a comprehensive set of instructions to ensure your mouth heals properly.
Types of extraction procedures
Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that tend to grow in later than the rest of our teeth, usually between the ages of 17-25. Because of their delayed eruption, many people lack enough space in their mouths for their wisdom teeth. This can cause crowding, misalignment, infection, and discomfort with your other teeth. Due to these complications, most people choose to have their wisdom teeth extracted when they begin to emerge.
An impacted wisdom tooth is one that has not fully erupted from the gums. This is one of the most common complications related to wisdom tooth growth. If a wisdom tooth is impacted, it can compromise the position and health of the surrounding teeth, especially if they are growing at a crooked angle. Food debris and bacteria can get caught on these partially erupted teeth, leading to a higher risk of a tooth abscess or infection. The dentist may recommend surgically removing impacted wisdom teeth in these cases, to prevent issues down the line.
Coronectomy
A coronectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing the crown of the tooth, while keeping the healthy roots in place. This procedure is usually performed on the lower wisdom teeth in cases when your doctor deems that performing a full extraction may result in injury to the dental nerves below the surface.
Orthodontic Extractions
Patients who have severe malocclusions or significant crowding may benefit from orthodontic extractions. By removing as few as one to two teeth, your Dawsonville doctor can make more room in your mouth to prepare you for your orthodontic treatment. As with basic extractions, orthodontic extractions will only be performed when absolutely necessary.
Emergency Extractions
When it is absolutely imperative that a tooth be removed within a 24 hour to 48 hour time window, it is considered to be an emergency extraction. This may be a result of serious dental trauma to the tooth including large cracks, breaks, or any other scenario that may put your health at risk. When a tooth becomes damaged beyond repair, it may be necessary to remove it to prevent abscess or infection.
Atraumatic Extractions
Atraumatic extractions are a tooth removal technique that results in less trauma and minimal damage to the extraction site. Instead of wiggling your tooth in the socket and then pulling it out, during an atraumatic extraction, your doctor will lift the tooth up to carefully separate your tooth from the fibers that hold it in your mouth. This process is beneficial when a dental implant is going to be placed as it helps to preserve as much bone structure as possible.
Expose and Bond
Expose and bond is an oral surgery technique that is used to expose and guide an unerupted tooth. This procedure is often recommended when a tooth is impacted and will not be able to erupt properly on its own. Your doctor will simply make a small incision to expose the hidden tooth and then bond an orthodontic bracket on to encourage the tooth to grow in properly.
TAD Placement
TAD stands for “temporary anchorage devices.” These devices are small, screw-like titanium anchors which are used to help teeth move quickly during your orthodontic treatment. While they are placed directly into your jaw, the placement of a TAD is actually quite simple and pain-free. TADS can be used in conjunction with braces or as an alternative to headgear.
Did you know…
Overall, the extraction healing process takes about 1-2 weeks.
Have questions about tooth extractions? Find answers here.
When is tooth extraction necessary?
Tooth extractions may be necessary for patients suffering from an extremely severe cavity, severe damage from oral trauma, or an infected tooth that cannot be saved with an endodontic treatment. In some cases, it may be possible to save your tooth with a crown or root canal therapy, but sometimes an extraction may be your only option.
Improper wisdom teeth growth is the most common reason for an extraction. If your doctor notices that your wisdom teeth are impacted or failing to erupt properly, they may recommend an extraction to ensure that your other teeth remain healthy. However, not everyone needs their wisdom teeth to be removed. We recommend coming into our Dawsonville practice for a consultation with your doctor to find out if your wisdom teeth need to be removed.
A tooth extraction may also be required if severe periodontal disease is compromising the health of the tooth, causing it to loosen from the gums. Your doctor may want to extract these compromised teeth to prepare you for a strong and long-lasting tooth replacement option, such as dental implants or dentures.
Will I be in pain after my extraction?
Thanks to numbing and sedation options, you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during or immediately after your extraction procedure. However, symptoms such as tenderness, discomfort, swelling, bruising, and bleeding may begin to arise within a few hours following your extraction. While these symptoms tend to peak within the first 2-3 days, they will start to fade as you continue to heal. Make sure to eat a diet of mostly soft foods for about 5-7 days after your treatment to prevent agitation.
It will take about 1-2 weeks for your mouth to fully heal after the extraction. Carefully follow the recovery instructions provided to you by your doctor to ensure you heal properly. Note that it is not normal to endure severe pain and discomfort 1-2 weeks after your extraction, so contact your doctor for a follow-up appointment if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Are extractions covered by insurance?
Extractions that are required to remove impacted wisdom teeth, or damaged or decayed teeth, are often covered by insurance. Every insurance plan’s benefits will vary, so in order to fully understand your coverage, we recommend that you contact your insurance provider.
Did you know…
Your doctor will always try to save your tooth first before considering an extraction.