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.